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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Finding a cosmetic dentist who does good bonding work

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How can I find a cosmetic dentist that does good bonding work? I know that the dentists aren’t making the porcelain veneers themselves, but I have two acquaintances that have had porcelain veneers fall off. So I know how important the bonding is. Before I select a cosmetic dentist, I need a little advice on how to find a good one for bonding. – Sheri M.

Sheri – Your choice of a cosmetic dentist matters for both the bonding work and for the porcelain veneers themselves.

The cosmetic dentist has to plan your treatment, take quality impressions, and give details about the shade, texture, translucency, and shape of your veneers. When the veneers are returned from the lab, the cosmetic dentist will approve the work and bond the veneers to your teeth, or return the veneers to the lab for adjustments—or for them to be completely re-made. The results of an expert ceramist at a lab are very dependent on the instructions received from the cosmetic dentist. It is the expertise of both professionals that result in a beautiful smile makeover.

Additionally, if a dentist does not have excellent artistic inclination, he or she is unlikely choose a ceramist with the same inclination. An expert cosmetic dentist knows how the ceramist will affect the end result. A cosmetic dentist with an artistic eye wants you to have a beautiful smile and will choose a ceramist and lab that will produce those results.

If you need assistance finding a skilled cosmetic dentist in your area, mynewsmile.com is an excellent resource. The website is run by a retired cosmetic dentist. Names are not randomly added to mynewsmile.com. Dentists’ training and credentials are checked, and photos of their work are submitted before their names are added to the website.

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

Do the teeth whitening kits featured on Groupon really work?

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I keep seeing Groupons for teeth whitening kits. $39 is much cheaper than having my teeth whitened by my dentist. But do these kits really work? Thanks! Chantele R.

Chantele – Whether or not the teeth whitening kit works depends on the agent used in the whitening gel, as well as the strength of the whitening agent. But there are several reasons that you might want to have your teeth professionally whitened by your dentist.

Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels will only remove surface stains, if they help at all. The same is true for whitening toothpaste. The whitening gel that you receive from your dentist will penetrate your teeth and remove embedded stains.

Teeth bleaching  isn’t right for everyone. Depending on the cause of the stains, whitening your teeth will make the stains even more noticeable. Your dentist will exam your teeth, determine the cause of the stains, and recommend the appropriate treatment for them—which may not be teeth bleaching. In some cases, porcelain veneers are the only way to conceal stains or discoloration in teeth.

Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth so that customized teeth bleaching trays can be made for you. Ready-to-use kits have one-size-fits-all trays, which often do not fit correctly. The results of the whitening gel will not be as efficient as it would with customized trays. If the ready-made trays are too large, gel will likely be wasted.

Talk with your dentist about your interest in teeth whitening. He or she will be able to give you a beautifully white smile. Some dentists offer teeth whitening specials from time to time, too.

This blog post is courtesy of Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Can chipped teeth on my dental bridge be fixed?

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I had a bad accident 5 months ago and 2 of the teeth in my upper bridge got chipped. The teeth haven’t been priority because I had more serious injuries but now I am wondering if the bridge can be fixed. Thanks T.J.

T.J.

It is good to know that you are recovering from your accident. An expert cosmetic will be able to repair your porcelain bridge. The special techniques required are the same as those used to repair porcelain crowns.

Not only are special techniques required, but specialized materials and equipment are needed to professionally restore the bridge.

The chipped porcelain needs to be cleaned, rinsed, and etched. If the bridge has a metal foundation, the metal must also be etched. Care must be taken to only etch the part of the bridge that needs repair. A saline coupling agent is used to prime the porcelain, after which it is coated with bonding resin. Any exposed metal in the bridge will be treated with a metal bonding agent and an opaquer. Quality composite bonding resins will be used to match the color and translucency of the original porcelain. The composite then be polished.

Be aware that smoking, drinking, and excessive alcohol drinking can wear on the bonding or stain it, affecting how long the repair lasts.

This blog post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Are the wrinkles in my mouth oral cancer?

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I am a dipping tobacco user. Where the tobacco sits on the gums, I see creases or wrinkles. It’s hard to describe exactly what it looks like. Could this be a sign of cancer? I’m really not interested in what you think of my habit. I know what I need to do.  But I thank you in advance for your response. – Patrick

Patrick – Smokeless tobacco irritates tissue—gum tissue, as well as your mouth, tongue and lips can all be affected. It is known to cause white, chalky wrinkles in your mouth. Internal organs, including your bladder, colon, pancreas, and esophagus can be affected.

A biopsy has to be performed to diagnose oral cancer. Some of the symptoms of oral cancer are loose teeth, a white or red patch inside your mouth, painful or difficult swallowing, painful or difficult chewing, tongue pain, and sore throat. This is not a complete list of symptoms. If possible, allow time for the irritation in your mouth to heal by avoiding tobacco use, at least temporarily.

Don’t delay making an appointment with your doctor or dentist for an examination and biopsy.

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

I am allergic to nickel and concerned about a porcelain fused to metal crown

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I’m highly allergic to nickel. My dentist is recommending 2 porcelain fused to metal crowns for back teeth. I am concerned about having a reaction to the metal. My dentist said that I don’t need to worry. Should I be concerned? Can I get a zirconia crown instead? Thanks Rachel C. from Delaware

Rachel,

About ten percent of women have nickel allergies. The allergic reaction is more common in women than men. An allergic reaction to cheap jewelry or needing hypoallergenic earrings indicates a nickel allergy. In their medical history questionnaire, many dentists ask if you have metal allergies.

Base metal (non-precious), noble metal (semi-precious), and high-noble metal (precious) are the three categories of metal used in dental crowns. The metals are either used as the only component of the crown, or as the foundation of the crown.

Base metals are stiff and very likely to contain nickel. Forty percent of the noble metal will contain precious metals—gold, platinum, and palladium. The remaining composition will be silver, tin, copper, and other metals. Noble metals are softer and easier to manipulate than base metals. High-noble metals contain at least sixty percent noble metals, mostly gold and platinum. High-noble metals are the most pliable.

A noble or high-noble metal should present no problem with your nickel allergy. Your dentist can present you with an ldentalloy certificate before the porcelain crown is placed. This certificate is provided by the dental laboratory for every crown that is made. If the crown contains nickel, you can refuse it and find a dentist who is skilled in placing a zirconia crown.

This blog post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek