Sandy, from Minnesota

Sandy,

Before I can give you a definitive answer I just need to be certain that you’re having pain when you chew and not when you bite. There is a difference and it will determine what is wrong.

If you’ve got pain when you bite, then adjusting your bite will make sense. However, if you’ve got pain when you chew, then the problem is with the bonding procedure itself. It means your fillings were likely not bonded on properly and will have to be re-done.

I recommend you not have them re-done by the same dentist. Not only did this dentist not do them properly, but they couldn’t properly diagnose the problem. There is no guarantee that when it is done again, you’ll have any better results. The bonding process on white fillings is quite complicated and generally takes a lot of post-graduate training. Look on the mynewsmile.com website. Anyone the recommend from your area as an expert cosmetic dentist will be able to very competently handle the bonding procedure.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

Name withheld

I’m happy to help you. Dental bonding is good for minor cosmetic repairs, such as chips or small gaps. However, it is not a good solution for tooth erosion. The bonding just wouldn’t hold up.

A better solution would be to get porcelain crowns. They will cover the teeth back and front. There will still be a tiny strip where acid can get in to erode the teeth, but your teeth will be much more protected. You’ll want to make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist to get them done.  You want beautiful, natural looking crowns. It takes a highly trained, artistic cosmetic dentist to do this. Look on the mynewsmile.com website. They list expert cosmetic dentists by state. You’ll be safe with anyone on their list.

Generally, erosion on the back side of your teeth is caused by bulimia. If that is the case, I want you to know that dentists are trained to treat bulimia and they will keep your case confidential.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

Jeremy P.- Tulsa, OK

Jeremy,

The mottling of the teeth, that comes from Fluoride is known as Dental Fluorosis. It is generally manifested by white spots. However, this won’t happen because of fluoride taken in as an adult. It would have to have happened while your teeth were developing. For these reasons, I don’t think fluoride is your problem.

However, there is good news. Despite the cause of the staining, it can be whitened. If the staining is external, a great whitening toothpaste, such as Supersmile toothpaste is a great way to remove recent stains.

If the stains are internal, which happens from absorption of the pigments in food, you’ll need to have professional teeth whitening done. By the way, tea is a large culprit for this type of staining.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair

Andrew from Virginia

Andrew,

No. Even dental insurance companies, who are prone to watching their bottom line says a porcelain crown should last a minimum of five years. Most dentists feel they should last much longer than that. Any dentist I know would be mortified to have their workmanship so shoddy.

When  a porcelain crown is placed, your dentist is responsible to make sure that the margin has absolutely no gaps in it and that it is smooth. It sounds to me like your dentist didn’t do that.

I would go back to your dentist with this information and ask him to repair the cavity and re-do the crown. I don’t know if you have any dental insurance, but if you do and he gives you any trouble making this right, then you could always contact your insurance company. Do go to them if he is cooperative. It is always best to give your dentist a chance to make things right on their own.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

David A.- Austin, TX

David,

No, there really isn’t a way to do snap-on smile at home. Even if they sent you the impression “kit”, the impression itself would have to be very clear. Not even every dental hygienists can do it to the quality level necessary. However, even if that hurdle was overcome there are many technical aspects of it as well. You’d need to know what shade you wanted, as well as the amount of facial bulk. They also don’t fit perfectly once you get them in so you’d need tools to adjust them. All of that is neglecting the fact that the DenMat company, which is the lab that makes Snap-on Smile, will only sell to licensed dentists.

Many people do not enjoy going to a dental office, however to get a smile makeover you really do need to see an expert cosmetic dentists. When you do, they will more than likely tell you that snap-on smile really isn’t your best option. They tend to be too opaque and bulky.  If you’re looking for just an OK smile, they’ll work just fine. If you’re wanting stunning smile, you’ll want to look into porcelain veneers. You can have the entire makeover completed in just two appointments, so you won’t have to spend too much time at the office.

This blog is brought to you by Hinsdale Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

Kathy F.- Little Rock, AR

Kathy,

There are two lingual nerves that runs near your wisdom teeth along the inside of your jaw to your tongue, on either side of your mouth. Dentists generally try to stay on the cheek side  of things during wisdom teeth extractions because that nerve is in a different place for each person.

Based on what you’ve said there has at the least been some trauma to both of those nerves. If the nerves were sliced, there is little hope that they will repair. However, if it was just trauma or compression to the nerves there is hope.

A slight bruise on the nerve will generally heal within a month. A severe bruise can take up to a year. So two months means, if it wasn’t sliced, there is still hope. It is also possible that one was sliced and another bruised. That would mean that you’ll get feeling back on half of your tongue.

I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

You may also be interested in learning about Botox.

Let me know, Derek D.- Ft. Worth, TX

Derek,

I have some reasons to doubt your dentist. While it is true that amalgam fillings can stain teeth, in all the cases I’ve done, the teeth still looked better with white fillings. It sounds to me like your dentist is uncomfortable placing composite fillings. It does require a different technique than the traditional amalgam fillings.

If your dentist isn’t comfortable doing them, then don’t press him. You could end up needing a root canal treatment if it is done poorly.

A second reason I am concerned about your dentist’s decisions is the size of your filling. You said you’ve got about 70% filling. If there is that much decay, your dentist should have placed a porcelain crown instead of just a filling. Has he mentioned that as an option?

You may also be interested in learning about Mercury-free dentists.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

Caryn, From Seattle

Caryn,

What you need is to get them replaced by all-porcelain crowns. Your dentist is obviously not an expert cosmetic dentist, because if he were he would never put porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on your front teeth. These will always end up with a black line at your gumline. All-porcelain crowns don’t have this problem.

When you get these re-done, make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist. Then not only will you not have to worry about that ugly line anymore, but you can get a beautiful new smile. A truly qualified cosmetic can give you a truly natural and artistic smile.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

Jennifer R. – Tulsa, OK

Jennifer,

You have a couple of options outside of braces. Both of them require you see an expert cosmetic dentist. I do not recommend you go to your family dentist for this procedure, even if he knows the treatment options I will list.  In order to have work you’ll be really pleased with, you’ll want to go to someone that not only knows the steps of the procedures, but who is also artistic and can give you a gorgeous, natural looking tooth.

Your first option is to reshape the tooth and bond composite filling material to the tooth to make it look normal. This is a difficult procedure. It can be done in one visit and will run you several hundred dollars, which is a considerable savings over braces. The downside to this technique is the filling material will darken over time. It is also prone to chipping, therefore you’ll probably have to have it re-done several time over your lifetime.

A better, more permanent option would be to have a porcelain crown placed over the tooth.  These are very durable. They also look just like your natural tooth. Additionally, they’ll last between 20 and 30 years. Porcelain crowns can be done in just two visits. This will be a little more expensive than using filling material, but will still be more affordable than braces.

Remember the importance of going to an expert cosmetic dentist. If you don’t know how to locate one, you can go to the mynewsmile.com website. He only recommends experienced, artistic cosmetic dentists. You can locate them by state.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic dentist Dr. Karen Blair.

Jessica T.- Michigan

Jessica,

It sounds to me like the changes are with your teeth and gumline and not the porcelain veneers, so refurbishing your old veneers won’t do any good. It sounds to me like you’ll need a new set.

Teeth whitening won’t be strong enough if you have dark tetracycline stains. Something else to consider with tetracycline stains, make sure you go to an excellent cosmetic dentist. These type of stains are especially difficult, you want to cover the stain completely, but still have the transparency of natural teeth. The tendency with an inexperienced cosmetic dentist would be to make them too opaque in an effort to adequately cover the stains.

Look on the mynewsmile.com website. Here they list expert cosmetic dentists by state. Anyone recommended for your area will be a great option.

This blog is brought to you by Downers Grove Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Karen Blair.