Lowell Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Why would a dentist tell me I need porcelain veneers instead of teeth whitening? My teeth are really yellow. I have tried to whiten them myself but it’s hardly noticeable. I know that no one else can tell that I’ve been trying to whiten my teeth. So I gave up. 2 weeks ago I talked to my dentist about it and she told me that she can get my teeth super white. I told her that I don’t want them to be super white just natural white. She said she can get them to the white shade of my choice and she started talking about porcelain veneers and prepping my teeth. She also said that if I really want my teeth white, because they are so yellow porcelain veneers are the way to go. The problem with her reasoning is that I want all of my teeth white, not just my front teeth and there is no way I am going to spend over $1k for each tooth. This is ridiculous. I just want to know if I really need porcelain veneers or if there is another way to get my teeth white. – Artuela

Artuela – We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist. There are several reasons why you should see a cosmetic dentist before receiving teeth whitening or porcelain veneers.

Why See a Cosmetic Dentist about Porcelain Veneers?

• He or she will examine your teeth, do diagnostic studies if necessary, and determine the cause of the stains in them. You will also find out which treatment is best to brighten your smile.
• Artistic cosmetic dentists have significant training and experience with whitening teeth that other dentists have had difficulty whitening.
• If you are a candidate for teeth whitening, a cosmetic dentist will know which form of whitening will work for your case.
• He or she may also be able to explain why porcelain veneers were recommended by your dentist. Without examining your teeth, we can’t speculate on the reason for that recommendation.

Find a few experienced cosmetic dentists—preferably accredited cosmetic dentist—in your area, and schedule a consultation with each of them. You will be more comfortable choosing a provider for your treatment after the consultations. See our blog post on what you should know before choosing porcelain veneers.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

After doing a lot of research online I think a cosmetic dentist might be the only one to help me. You know how a walrus looks with teeth that look way too long? That’s how I look now. My teeth really used to be beautiful but now all my gums have receded. No exaggeration – every tooth looks way too long now. Is this something a cosmetic dentist can correct? How many options do I have? Thanks Ashley

Ashley – A cosmetic dentist can help with the appearance of your teeth, but first, he or she will identify the cause of your gum recession.

A Cosmetic Dentist Will Look for Causes of Gum Recession

• Periodontal (gum) disease – This is the most common cause of receding gums. Gingivitis and periodontist can cause gum tissue to recede and break down. Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing daily are essential to preventing gum disease. If you have periodontal disease, it will be treated before any cosmetic treatment is done on your teeth.
• Vigorous tooth brushing – If you brush your teeth too aggressively, it can weaken your gums and cause them to recede.
• Plaque accumulation – Plaque can cause gums to become inflamed and recede.
• Genetic predisposition – Some people naturally have thin gums, which recede with time.

As gums continue to recede, tooth roots will be exposed, and you may experience sensitivity in your teeth. A cosmetic dentist can perform gum grating tissue to fill in your gumline and protect your tooth roots. Grafted gum tissue will be contoured to give you a natural-looking gumline.

Contact at least two accredited cosmetic dentists for an examination and to find out your treatment options.

This post is sponsored by Lowell, MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.