Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Crowns for a Tooth Gap? Run Away From This Dentist!

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I need some advice. I have a tooth gap which I finally decided to take action on it. I spoke to my dentist about repairing. The gap is between my two front teeth. It’s not huge, but it is always on my mind when I smile. I want to feel confident. My dentist suggested I get two dental crowns put on my front teeth. I’m not keen on that because the teeth are healthy. Grinding them down to nubs means I’ll always have to wear dental crowns, right? Are there any other options that are less invasive?

Jill R.

Dear Jill,

I’m really relieved you wrote and asked before moving forward with your dentist’s disastrous treatment plan. It’s incredible to me that you recognize the fallacy in this type of “solution”. Yes, you’d be stuck with dental crowns for the rest of your life. Why get rid of all that healthy tooth structure when there are much simpler solutions. However, because your dentist didn’t suggest them it likely means he’s not comfortable doing them. Dentists are proud creatures. If you pressure him into it, he’ll do it rather than admit he’s not good at it. The results will be disastrous. This is not the best dentist for you. I’d really plan on you finding a new one.

So, planning on getting a new dentist for this treatment, what options are available to you?

First, you could close the gap with orthodontics. It used to be that even adults were stuck with a mouth full of metal if they wanted to straighten their teeth. That’s no longer true. In fact, you can straighten your teeth without anyone even knowing that you’re doing it. The aligners truly are invisible, even at a conversational distance.

However, if the only thing wrong with your teeth is that small gap, then you may feel that full blown orthodontics is a bit of an overtreatment. In that case, you can just do dental bonding to close the gap. It uses a white composite filling material to match the color of your teeth. It takes an artistic cosmetic dentist to do this procedure because he will sculpt it by hand.

This next option only should be considered if you’re interested in a complete smile makeover. Using porcelain veneers, you can completely change the shape and character of your smile. It can change not just the shape, but the size and color, as well as cover things like chips and gaps. Like dental bonding, this procedure also requires an expert cosmetic dentist. Ideally, you’d want a dentist who’s reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Accredited Cosmetic Dentists are among the top 1% in the world in both skill and artistry. Any smile they create for you will be stunning. In fact, most of them even have a beautiful smile guarantee.

I hope this helps you in your decision making. This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Can My Whitening Trays Function Like Invisalign?

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I’m getting my teeth whitened. I’m excited about that. Really excited. I’ve always wanted to straighten my teeth too. I wondered if I told my dentist to make the trays a little smaller than normal if they could straighten my teeth like Invisalign trays. I’m not sure I can afford both procedures. But, I’m finally single and want a chance to feel pretty for me, not anyone else.

Amanda W.

Amanda,

While I highly recommend feeling beautiful for yourself, your teeth whitening trays can’t double as Invisalign aligners. Invisalign aligners are carefully crafted by a computer, which designs each pair of aligners to gently move your teeth into a new position. Whitening trays are designed to fit snug, but they will only fit to the current position of your teeth.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get both procedures done affordably. I’m going to suggest you reverse the procedures. If you get Invisalign, you CAN let those aligners double for teeth whitening trays. Then, instead of paying for the custom tray design and the gel, you only have to get the gel.

You’ll find both procedures will do a remarkable job of helping you feel and look beautiful. Invisalign will obviously straighten your teeth and an orderly smile is attractive. What many don’t realize is how beneficial the simple teeth whitening procedure can be. It strips years off your appearance. Many patients feel they look years younger from that procedure alone.

Invisalign sometimes costs more than the whitening procedure. If that’s a hardship for you, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You could speak to your dentist. Many of them have payment plans which will allow you to get to started on the procedure while paying it out. If they don’t offer payment plans, you can look into Care Credit. It’s a medical credit card that, depending on your credit, allows you to pick your terms.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Ortho Bands or Porcelain Veneers?

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I’ve got this gap in my teeth and they need some whitening. My dentist tells me porcelain veneers will take care of both those things.  The price tag is a tad out of reach for me. I could do it, but am wondering if I should spend that much money just because my smile bothers me. Ortho bands are a lot cheaper. They would take care of the gap. What do you think? I’d feel better with a professionals opinion.

Gracie – Ohio

Gracie,

The ortho bands are a bad idea. In fact, I’m surprised they haven’t been sued out of business. What they do to close the gap is tip the teeth together. That puts you at risk of losing your teeth because the roots of your teeth aren’t properly adjusted. They don’t have bone support. They become loose. They’re no better than putting rubber bands on your teeth.

I don’t necessarily think porcelain veneers are your solution either. You have a couple of more affordable options that will give you the results you’re interested in.

First, get teeth whitening done. Once that is completed, you can do one of two things.

  • Invisalign:  These will straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. They’re truly invisible, even at a conversational distance. Some dentists will even whiten your teeth using the Invisalign trays saving you money.
  • Dental Bonding: This uses composite bonding to close the gap.  You’ll want to do the whitening first, because you want the bonding to match your new color.

I’d only invest in porcelain veneers if you’re wanting a full smile makeover. Veneers can change everything about your smile. Size, shape, color–anything you want. But, to get it done right, you’ll need an expert cosmetic dentist, preferably someone who is AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Invisalign or Veneers

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I want to get my smile done. I thought I’d like to get Lumineers, but my dentist said I would need to get Invisalign first. He also said that Lumineers would make my teeth look bulky, so I should get a different brand. Do you agree with his advice?

Ellie R.- Pennsylvania

Ellie,

I agree with your dentist about the Lumineers. They are not your best option. It is important to bear in mind that they are just one brand of porcelain veneers. There are several other brands that are much more aesthetic.

The other advice I’m not so sure about. Generally, you would either get Invisalign or you would get porcelain veneers, but not both, so that part of his advice I’m not sure I agree with. However, it is possible there is some special case that I’m unaware of such as severe crowding. My recommendation is that you get a second opinion. Try one of the dentists recommended for your area by mynewsmile.com.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Teeth too big

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My front teeth are too big and set forward in my mouth. The result? I grew up being called beaver teeth. I’m now old enough to have enough money to do something about it, but I can’t figure out what to do. How do you recommend I fix this?

Stephanie H.- Boston

Stephanie,

Children can be ridiculously cruel sometimes. Please bear in mind I haven’t seen your case, so my recommendations might not be what the right dentist would recommend after looking at your teeth.

I think your first step is to find an expert cosmetic dentist. Your case is beyond the capabilities of your average cosmetic dentist. Look on mynewsmile.com to find a quality cosmetic dentist in your area. All of the recommended dentists on that site are screen for their skill and artistry.

Now, for my recommendation. I think your teeth can be trimmed with diamond burs and strips on the sides and biting edge to make them shorter and narrower. Then you can have them moved back in with Invisalign.

Please don’t take this as the best and only course of treatment. I haven’t actually seen your teeth. The most important thing is to find a cosmetic dentist you can trust.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

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