I’ve gotten two different plans of treatment from two different dentists, and I don’t know which to choose. Here’s the situation. I want to get porcelain veneers, but I have a small cavity. At least I thought I did. The first dentist said it isn’t a problem. He’d partially fill in and the porcelain veneers will take care of the rest. Then my husband got transferred and I had to put it off. When we moved, I went to see the second dentist. He said the tooth is too far gone and it would need to be a crown. He’s insisting on a metal based crown. I’m not too keen on this because it’s a front tooth. Which dentist is right? Would a tooth go downhill that quickly?
Miranda – Kentucky
Miranda,
A tooth can go quickly. It really depends on the tooth. Some decay slowly and other go under so fast you’d think they were throwing the fight.
However, I’m not convinced this is the best dentist for your makeover anyway. Even if you did get a crown on that one tooth, you’d do porcelain veneers on the rest of the teeth. You’ll want an expert cosmetic dentist to do that. The second dentist is definitely not skilled in the cosmetic side of dentistry.
You’re right not to want a metal based crown on your teeth. It will be too opaque to look completely natural. Plus, you will eventually develop a gray line on your gumline.
I’d suggest, before moving forward, to get a second opinion by someone with greater experience in cosmetic dentistry. I’d look for a dentist accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They’ll be very artistic and give you a gorgeous smile, regardless of whether they are porcelain veneers or a dental crown.
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