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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Do I really need porcelain veneers instead of teeth whitening?

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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.

Can a cosmetic dentist to anything about my walrus teeth?

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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.

Can I get white teeth like Karrueche Tran’s smile from a cosmetic dentist?

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I’m 3 months older than Karrueche Tran and I just love, love her smile. Will it take a cosmetic dentist to get my teeth white like hers? I have a few friends who got their teeth whitened, but so far I haven’t seen anyone’s smile that looks as good as Karreuche’s. I saw her post on Instagram from a few years ago that said she was getting her teeth whitened in Beverly Hills. Of course I can’t go that far, but I do want my smile to pop! How do I find a dentist that can really give me the results I’m looking for and not end up wasting my money on average results? Thanks. Kym

Kym – Karreuche Tran has been interviewed on several talk shows recently, and more people are noticing the brilliant smile she’s flashing. She has made high-quality teeth whitening very desirable to a lot of people.

Photo of Karrueche Tran smiling, for information on teeth whitening from Lowell MA accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Karrueche Tran smiling

Anyone who wants predictable results with bleaching gel should see a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists are very picky about the results they achieve. You’ll receive a treatment plan that is customized for the types of stains in your teeth, the sensitivity of your teeth, and the results you want.

Only Choose an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist for a Karreuche-Tran White Smile

We recommend that you schedule consultations with at least two accredited cosmetic dentists. Why accredited dentists?

  • Accredited cosmetic dentists have passed written exams to demonstrate their advanced knowledge of the art.
  • They’ve also submitted patient cases to demonstrate their skill in producing beautiful smiles.
  • You’ll benefit from their years of experience. No doubt, they have completed countless cases of teeth whitening with stunning results.

Before your consultations, have a close-up photo of Karreuche Tran’s smile available on your mobile device. You can show each dentist the results you want to achieve. He or she will let you know the type of whitening treatment needed to get your smile amazingly bright, yet natural looking.

Dentists use different brands of whitening, so you might receive different recommendations based on the dentist’s experience and results with a certain brand. If a dentist is accredited, you can trust his or her judgment. Don’t insist on a specific brand.

Look on each dentist’s website to see before-and-after teeth whitening photos. If photos aren’t available on the website, ask to see them during your consultation.

What Will a Cosmetic Dentist Require before Teeth Whitening?

Your teeth and gums must be healthy before your teeth are whitened. Keep in mind that some dentists have additional requirements before whitening your teeth. Depending on the dentist, any of the following might be required:

  • A recent dental exam and cleaning from your current dentist
  • Become a patient of the dentist who will whiten your teeth
  • Pay for an exam if you only want your teeth whitened and don’t plan on switching dentists

Consultations will help you choose the best cosmetic dentist for the results you want. Best wishes on your sparkling smile!

 

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

 

Can I get my porcelain veneers removed and go back to my natural teeth?

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Although I’ve had the same dentist since 2002, after getting porcelain veneers from him, I found out the hard way that he knows nothing about cosmetic dentistry. I guess I chose him because I trusted the other work he has done for me even though it wasn’t cosmetic. The reason I regret my decision is the way the veneers look. Although he took his time, the veneers are unnaturally square and unnaturally white. They actually look like squares. There is no way I can hide the fact that I don’t like the veneers. I don’t want to hurt my dentist’s feelings, but there is no way I can continue like this. I want the veneers off and just go back to my natural teeth, but I don’t trust my dentist to do it. I’m also concerned about going back to him for my regular checkup only for him to find out that I took all of his hard work off my teeth. What’s the best way for me to handle this? Mareesa

Mareesa – Many patients who received porcelain veneers from a dentist who isn’t highly trained in cosmetic dentistry express similar disappointment.

Can Porcelain Veneers Be Removed?

  • Unfortunately, porcelain veneers can’t be removed for you to go back to your natural teeth again. But they can be removed and replaced with new porcelain veneers.
  • The color, shape, and translucence of porcelain veneers cannot be changed.
  • A skilled cosmetic dentist ensures you’re completely satisfied with temporary veneers before they are made. You are given opportunity to wear temporary veneers for a week or two to get used to them, to let friends and family see how your new smile looks, and to decide if you love your temporary veneers or if you want any changes made.

Your description of what happened with your veneers shows that your dentist lacks sufficient skill, training, and artistry to create a beautiful smile. Even if you asked him to give you new porcelain veneers, you probably wouldn’t like the results.

We recommend that you find at least two accredited cosmetic dentists and schedule consultations with them. Each dentist will take a quick look at your veneers and let you know what he or she can do to provide you with veneers that you will love.

If you speak with your dentist, he might be able to give you at least a partial refund—if not a full refund. You can choose to use the money returned to you to get the smile you want.

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

 

Why is my dentist against doing teeth whitening before filling cavities?

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I’m wondering if you can tell me why my dentist might be against doing teeth whitening before filling my cavities. I want my teeth whitened for a family reunion / cruise. My dentist does in-office whitening but he wants me to have cavities filled first. The whitening is my priority because the reunion is in 3 weeks. I thought that I should get my teeth whitened first and fillings after to match. I’m confused. I asked him about his reasoning, but he pretty much said he prefers to do it that way. Before I go back to my dentist, I want to be sure that I understand the right order to get the work done. Which should be done first teeth whitening or fillings? And why would my dentist ask me to get the cavities filled first? Thanks. Nikki

Nikki – We’re not sure why your dentist is asking you to have your cavities filled first. Your teeth can be whitened first, but whether or not they should be depends on the condition of your teeth and the extent of your cavities. We’ll explain some factors for you to consider.

  • Prescription-strength teeth whitening can cause sensitivity in teeth. If you have untreated tooth decay, the bleaching gel can affect tooth nerves and cause much discomfort.
  • Some experts say that bleaching gel can irritate decayed teeth or make cavities worse and weaken your teeth.
  • If your teeth are whitened after cavities are filled, the fillings will be darker than your teeth. But this probably won’t be noticeable—particularly because cavities are usually placed on the biting surfaces of your teeth. Composite fillings are tooth colored and less noticeable anyway.

If you want your fillings to match your whitened teeth, ask your dentist again if whitening can be completed first. You can also try again to ask for an explanation as to why he prefers to fill your cavities first. The reason will likely make sense.

Additionally, you can consider getting a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist.

 

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