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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

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.

My permanent teeth are too small

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My permanent teeth are embarrassingly small. I am 38 years old, but my teeth are the size of a 7 year old child’s teeth. I am a corporate banking professional, and I am frequently giving presentations at our branches. I feel very self conscious when I smile. What can be done to make my teeth look the size of adult teeth? Thanks in advance for your help. – Michaela T.

Michaela – Your concern about the size of your permanent teeth and the embarrassment that your teeth causes is understandable. Genetics or the environment can cause teeth to develop incorrectly.

There are two permanent procedures for which you might be a candidate—porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers.

A porcelain crown requires the natural tooth to be shaved down. The crown is placed over the natural tooth and it completely covers the tooth. A cosmetic dentist will make crowns that look like your natural teeth.

Porcelain veneers cover only the front of the teeth. Usually, teeth are lightly shaved before the veneers are placed. Veneers from a cosmetic dentist will have the color and translucency of natural teeth. They will give you a beautiful smile makeover.

You can schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to find out your options and to get the best results. Cosmetic dentists are dental artists. Find one who has been specifically trained in cosmetic dentistry. You also can check the dentist’s credentials and his or her smile gallery for pictures of smile makeovers that the dentist has completed.

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

What can be done to remove a stain on a porcelain veneer?

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I have six porcelain veneers on my upper front teeth. I’ve had them for years. The left canine veneer is starting to stain. More specifically there is a small gray stain near the margin. The color of the veneers is fine. Is there any way to remove the stain? Thanks! Sandy P. from Connecticut.

Sandy – It’s difficult to discern the problem without seeing your porcelain veneers and knowing how long you’ve had them.

Porcelain veneers are actually more stain-resistant than natural teeth, and they retain their color. If they do stain, it’s usually a result of something getting between the veneer and your tooth, or the glaze of the veneer is broken. Acid fluorides and power-polishing equipment can break the glaze.

If veneers are ten or twenty years old, it is possible that tiny particles are between the tooth and your veneers, as a result of leakage. The leakage can occur if the margin of the porcelain veneers breaks down. Microleakage must be addressed to prevent decay. In this case, the veneer will need to be replaced with a new one.

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

Safe to use ultrasonic toothbrush?

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Hi,

My husband recently purchased the Sonicare Diamond toothbrush for both of us to use. However, I have been reading that people who have dental bonding or veneers (which I have) should avoid the use of ultrasonic cleaning devices. Will the vibrating speed of this toothbrush damage my veneers? I have Dura-Thin porcelain veneers. Should I just avoid using this brush on the teeth with veneers?

Thanks,

Lina in Boston

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Caring for composite veneers

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Hi,

I had resin veneers done on my upper teeth several years ago and now am wondering about how long they will last. I’ve been reading now about porcelain veneers and worry that the composite ones will start to deteriorate. Can they last 10 years or more? And, as they get old, will they all start to deteriorate at the same time?

Beverly in Springfield

Dear Beverly,

While composite veneers are not as strong and stain-resistant as porcelain veneers, they can last a long time if cared for properly.

First, you should use a professional grade toothpaste that is designed for people who have had cosmetic dental work done. Supersmile toothpaste is a good brand.

Next, you should be careful when you go in for a cleaning that the hygienist does not use anything abrasive polishers, such as pumice, on your teeth that could damage the veneers. Be sure you choose someone who has extensive experience with maintaining composite dental bonding work.

This blog brought to you by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Good luck!