A. Yellow teeth can be whitened by
bleaching
them or by putting porcelain veneers or crowns on them. If the teeth are not extensively decayed or
filled
and generally good looking, except for the yellow color, bleaching is the easier, most conservative and least expensive option.Q. If my teeth are crooked, do I have any options besides braces?
A. In addition to braces, teeth can be straightened by using porcelain
veneers or crowns. This method is especially useful with adults who want a result in two weeks, instead of two
years. In addition, if the teeth are dark or have decay or unattractive old
fillings, that can all be corrected at the same time.
Q. I want to improve my smile, but I don't want fake looking teeth. What can I do?
A. A dentist trained in proper cosmetic dental procedures does not create the "white
chicklet" tooth look you may have seen. We can
discuss the shape, color and arrangement of your teeth so you get a great "natural" looking smile.
Q. I don't have a lot of money, can I still improve my smile?
A. Many cosmetic procedures, such as tooth whitening and cosmetic contouring, which reshapes crooked and misaligned teeth, are not very expensive and can make a big difference in your smile.
Q. I'd like to cap my teeth but I hate it when it looks dark at the gum line. Can that be avoided?
A. The dark area at the gum line with traditional
caps
is usually due to metal in the crowns. With teeth that show when you smile, we avoid metal in crowns whenever possible and use all ceramic crowns.
Q. I don't have much time, how long does it take to do cosmetic work?
A. Cosmetic dental procedures can be accomplished in as few as two visits over as little as a week or two. Of course, every patient's situation is
different so you need to discuss your specific requirements and circumstances with us prior to starting any cosmetic work.
Q. If I get a cap to whiten my teeth, does that mean I need a root canal?
A. Getting a cap does not require that the tooth get a root canal.
Q. If my tooth is loose, how can it be tightened?
A. Loose teeth
are a sign of bone loss. A tooth with healthy bone will never be obviously loose. If the damage is not too severe, especially if it is due to tooth clenching or grinding, the damage can usually be reversed by fixing the bite. If
the tooth is moderately loose due to bone loss, it is often possible to join it to a stronger adjacent tooth, often with a
cap to strengthen it. If it is very loose due to severe bone loss, it may not be treatable at all.
