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Fixing a dark tooth that is weak

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I had a damaged tooth from my childhood. Nothing was ever done to it and it has grown darker over the years. My dentist tried to fix it with some bonding, but it didn’t work. She’s not sure if a veneer will fix it, because the tooth is weak. Can you think of anything she can do that we haven’t thought of? A friend of mine in your area told me you’re really good with making teeth look better

Lisa Anne- Kentucky

Lisa Anne,

It sounds like you have a dentist that really cares about you. I also think she is a very honest dentist or she would have just kept trying things she didn’t have a lot of experience in. I will tell you that your situation can be fixed, but it needs to be done by someone who is an expert cosmetic dentist. Your dentist won’t be able to do the procedure properly. What that means is you should continue going to your dentist for all the procedures she is trained to do, but for cosmetic procedures you need to see an expert cosmetic dentist.

Now your problem becomes where to find an expert cosmetic dentist. There are a couple of ways I can recommend. First, you can go on the website for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) to see who is accredited with them in your area.  There is a difference between membership and accreditation. However, very few dentists reach that level of expertise.

If you can’t find someone in your area through that avenue, go to the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend highly skilled cosmetic dentists in each state. You’ll be is safe hands with anyone recommended on their site.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Can I get a dental implant for a baby canine?

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I still have a baby canine tooth. I’m 20 years old and finally have the money to do something about it. Is it possible to get a dental implant to replace it? It’ s  embarrassing having it.

Danna- Jackson, MS

Danna,

I’m actually a little surprised your dentist hasn’t already taken care of this. If your adult canines haven’t come in by the time your 16, it is time to take action. We’re taught in dental school exactly what to do in these situations and it should have been handled.

Generally if your canine teeth haven’t come in it means the adult teeth are impacted. If they’re impacted, then you can work with an orthodontist to get them in properly.

If there is not an adult tooth behind your baby one, then yes, a dental implant will be a good solution.  It will take a good set of x-rays to tell what you’re dealing with. The reason  you can’t use an implant if the tooth is there is the implant will run into the tooth structure.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Buccal Plate Removed

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I was doing a tooth extraction and the buccal plate fractured. I went ahead and removed it, but now I’m wondering if I did the right thing. Can you advise?

Name Withheld

Dear Name Withheld,

I think it depends on what procedure your patient was planning on after the extraction. If no tooth replacement was going to be placed then it is no big deal that your removed the buccal plate. If, however, your patient was wanting a dental implants placed, then having that bone structure their was very important. In that case, it would have been better to do the best you could to separate the tooth from the bone.

If your patient was wanting a dental implant, you’ll need to suggest that they get some bone grafting done, otherwise it is very likely that the dental implant procedure will fail.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Cement left after crown

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My dentist left some cement around my crown that was on my front tooth. I had been hurting for weeks after the crown. The dentist kept telling me that it was normal, but eventually it got so bad I couldn’t handle it. When I took some tweezers to it I found the cement. When I pulled the cement out I instantly felt better.  Is this common? Did I do something wrong by pulling out the cement?

Sylvia J.- Bella Vista, AR

Sylvia,

No, this is not common. It is actually considered a bad dentistry to leave cement around a crown. No, you didn’t do any harm. However I would like to make certain that you got all the cement, otherwise the inflammation will get worse.  I’m also curious as to what kind of crown your dentist put on your front tooth. Was it an all-porcelain crown or a porcelain fused to metal crown? If you’re not sure, ask. You should only have an all porcelain crown put on a front tooth for appearance reasons.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Fixing a rotated tooth

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I have a rotated tooth. i was wondering as to if i can get it fixed without braces?

Becky W.- Bryant, AR

Becky,

You have a couple of options that could be helpful to you.

First, let me say that more important than which procedure is what type of cosmetic dentist you choose. Make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist. Otherwise your smile will not look natural or beautiful. I would consider someone who is accredited (not just a member) with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Anyone with that level of accreditation will be able to give you a truly artistic smile.

One of your treatment options is to have your dentist reshape the tooth and bond composite filling material to the tooth to make it look normal. This procedure can be done in one appointment. However, the procedure will have to be re-done several times in your lifetime to keep it looking good. The composite material will eventually turn dark and is prone to chipping, etc.

Another option is to get a porcelain crown placed on the tooth. This is more expensive than the composite filling procedure, but will last between 20-30 years. It can be done in two appointments. It is difficult to match one crown to your teeth, so like I said before make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Point Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

AACD-member vs. accredited

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I have a good general dentist. I was asking him to recommend a great cosmetic dentist because I want to get porcelain veneers. He told me he can do them because he is a member of the AACD. But I’ve been doing some research and the consensus seems to be to look for someone who is AACD accredited. What is the difference between the two or are they the same?

Lauren B.- San Diego, CA

Lauren,

I am really glad you’ve been doing your research, otherwise you could have ended up with a disastrous smile. Any dentist can be an AACD member just by joining the organization. So being a member is not a demonstrative qualification of being an artistic and skilled cosmetic dentist. It sounds like your dentist wants to do more cosmetic work, and that is great, but you want to make sure he has more to qualify him than just paying a member fee. What post-graduate cosmetic courses has he taken? Does he have photographs to demonstrate the artistic quality of his work? Is he recommended by the mynewsmile.com website? These are some basic things to look into.

When it comes to the AACD as a qualification, look for someone who is  accredited, rather than just a member. In order to reach accreditation status, a dentist has to pass a stringent written examination, as well as pass an oral examination, and submit specific required photographs of their work. It is not easy to obtain this level of expertise, but the results are well worth the effort. You’ll love your porcelain veneers if they’re done by an artistic cosmetic dentist.

This does not mean you are dumping your current dentist. You can still get all your general dentistry work done by him and then just use the other dentist for your cosmetic needs.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Help for Bulimia

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Can you give me advice? I am bulimic. I’ve talked to my doctor about it. He’s having me go to an outpatient treatment center. In the meantime, I’ve realized my teeth are in horrible shape. What can I do to fix them? I will be honest with you and admit that I still sometimes purge, but I am working on it.

Name withheld

Yes, there are some specific things you can do, both to minimize any further damage and to make your teeth more attractive.

The acid from your purging really takes its toll on your tooth enamel. The signs of bulimia usually take about three years before they are evident. I don’t know how long you’ve struggled with this eating disorder. The longer you have, the more damage will be evident.  First, let’s talk about the things you can do, and then we’ll cover what you’ll need from a dentist.

  • Do not brush your teeth immediately after purging. I know that might be your first instinct; however, the only thing you will do is grind the acid into your tooth enamel. The first thing to do is rinse your mouth out with water. This will help to neutralize the acid before you  brush.
  • Make sure you brush often throughout the day.
  • It is also extremely important that you drink a lot of water. Sometimes bulimics suffer from dry mouth. This is unfortunate, because our saliva contains minerals and enzymes to help you fight the bacteria in your mouth. Without the additional saliva needed, the water becomes even more essential in order to make up for what you’re lacking from your saliva.

Now for what your dentist can do. The most important thing is that you find an expert cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. Therefore, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. Look for someone who is AACD accredited.  Then you’ll be assured you have someone who is both skilled and artistic. If you don’t get an expert in cosmetic dentistry, you will end up with a smile you don’t like. That will not help your bulimia treatment.  To help give you a pretty smile back, you might want to get all-porcelain crowns put on your teeth. This won’t completely protect them from your purging, but it will help some while simultaneously making them more attractive.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Braces for a crown

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I want to get two crowns replaced on my front teeth because they are quite old and are discolored. For some reason my dentist is insisting on a full ortho treatment before he’ll replace the crowns. I really don’t understand this. I didn’t need the treatment before I got the crowns the first time. I know my front teeth are a little crooked, but I just can’t afford braces right now. Can’t I get the crowns and then save up for braces later?

Jennifer R. from Maumelle, AR

Jennifer,

A dentist should have no problem giving you https://grossepointecosmeticdentist.com/grosse-pointe-woods-dental-crown/#mce_temp_url#without having any orthodontic work done. A good dentist should be able to make them look just fine either way.  I’m prone to think you need to see another dentist. Every patient is working with a different budget. You need a dentist who is sensitive to your current limitations.

One word of caution. Make sure whomever you choose to use is a highly qualified cosmetic dentist, especially with them being your front teeth. My first inclination is to tell you to go to someone who is AACD accredited. Any of one them will be  more than qualified and the results will be both natural and artistic. I am aware that their prices may be slightly above average. That is because you are paying for quality.

Whomever you choose, if they tell you they want to put porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns on your front teeth, don’t do it. No serious cosmetic dentist would ever put them on front teeth. You are in the wrong hands if he/she does. You don’t have to make a scene. Just quietly leave the office and never go back.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Ted Hadgis.

Chip on my fang tooth

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I have a chip on the very front of my “fang” tooth. I’m not exactly sure what it is called. I don’t know what happened to it, but it happened very recently, because I’d never seen it before. It is sensitive to the air so I’m wondering if I need some dental work done.

Anonymous

If the dentin is exposed, you will definitely want to get the tooth repaired. Exposed dentin can lead to infections and other problems as well. Other than that, a chip in your tooth could leave you more susceptible to tooth decay.

If you’re sensitive about the appearance of the tooth, you could have some composite filling (white fillings) put in it. However, you’ll want to make sure you go to a dentist who is experienced with making it look natural, especially since it is on the front of your tooth. When looking to have cosmetic work done, it is always safest to use a dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They’ll have the additional training and artistry needed to make your cosmetic work look natural and beautiful.

You may also be interested in learning about dental bonding.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Ted Hadgis.

Maintenance for porcelain veneers

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I want to get Lumineers, but before I do I want to find out what the maintenance cost is for them. Is their special upkeep that needs to be done?

Thanks,

Sydney- New Jersey

Sydney,

Lumineers or any type of porcelain veneers really require no extra maintenance than your regular teeth require, though you will want to be diligent about your oral hygiene as well as your dental check ups. However, I’m glad you wrote. I recently had a woman write to me who had a Lumineers disaster. Before you make your decision I’d like you to click on this link to read her story.

The biggest point is for you to make your decision about your cosmetic dentist very carefully.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.