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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Archives for July 2020

Can A Dentist Whiten My Teeth to Match My Eyeballs?

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I think it would be cool to get my teeth bleached to match the color of my eyeballs. My teeth and eyes would play off each other. It sounds intriguing to watch people look at me and try to figure out what’s happening/what they are seeing. Is it possible for a dentist to get the color right, or am I unrealistic? Anise from CT

Anise,

What a creative question! Thanks for submitting it to our office. There are some challenges to bleaching teeth to match your eyeballs. We’ll explain why and tell you about an alternative.

Whitening Your Teeth to Match Your Eyeballs

Whether or not a dentist can bleach your teeth to match your eyeballs depends on the whiteness of your eyeballs. Although it’s possible, there is a limit to how white a dentist can bleach your teeth. A dentist can whiten your teeth but not predict if they will lighten enough for your goal.

An Alternative to Bleaching

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a case, for information on DIY teeth whitening from Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Teeth whitening might not whiten your teeth enough to match your eyeballs

It’s easier to manipulate porcelain and get a good color match than to rely on teeth whitening. That’s why dentists who do a combination of whitening and porcelain veneers for patients with dark teeth will complete the whitening first. After the whitening stabilizes, a cosmetic dentist works with a ceramist to match the veneers perfectly to your whitened teeth.

Look for an advanced cosmetic dentist in your area and schedule a consultation to discuss the changes you want to make with your tooth color. The dentist will explain your options and what you can expect with teeth whitening vs. porcelain veneers.

Michael Szarek, DMD, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA, sponsors this post.

Chipped Tooth? What to Expect from a Porcelain Veneer or an Alternative

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Last week I was at a family pool party and had an accident that chipped my tooth. The chip isn’t large, but it’s on the inside of my right center tooth, so it’s noticeable. I have questions about porcelain veneers if you have a few minutes.

If I get a veneer, can it look like my original tooth shape? Will the color match my left front tooth? How much time will it take to get the tooth repaired?

Thanks. Tanya W.

Tanya,

The results depend on the dentist who does the work. If a family dentist restores your tooth, the results might not look natural. But an expert cosmetic dentist can perfectly match a veneer to your left center tooth.

An Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.

It’s not necessary to cover the entire front of your tooth with a porcelain veneer to conceal a chip

If the only damage to your right front tooth is a chip, composite bonding is the best way to conceal it. The process is less invasive than a porcelain veneer, and a cosmetic dentist will complete it while you’re sitting in the dental chair:

  • Roughen the surface of your tooth where it’s chipped
  • Apply dental composite that matches your tooth shade
  • Shape the composite to mimic the characteristics of your teeth
  • Harden the composite and further shape and polish it

In contrast, a porcelain veneer requires the following steps:

  • Remove a small amount of tooth enamel to ensure the veneer fits well and looks natural
  • Take impressions and photos of your teeth
  • Place a temporary veneer over your tooth for you to try out
  • If you approve the look and feel of the temporary, a ceramist will make the final veneer
  • Send instructions, impressions, and photos to the lab and ceramist to make your porcelain
  • Bond the veneer to your tooth after you’re sure it’s beautiful

In either case, choose an expert cosmetic dentist—preferably accredited—to achieve natural-looking results that help you smile with confidence again. Cosmetic dentistry is an art. Only dentists with post-graduate training and artistic ability to achieve lifelike results. And there are only a few genuine cosmetic dentists.

Lowell, MA, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.