cosmetic dentist Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Lowell Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Can I Trust My Dentist for a New Implant Crown and Dental Bonding?

Posted on October 29, 2021 by AllSmiles.

I agreed to extraction and a dental implant after three failed root canals on my top left first molar tooth. But I also have brown fluoride stains on my teeth. Although, I have never done anything about the stains. I do not want a blotchy brown implant crown to match my stained teeth. In 2018, my dentist bleached my stained teeth and applied dental bonding, but both look bad. Now that I need an implant, I am afraid of how my smile might look. My dentist asked me what I wanted to do about the fluoride stains, but I don’t think I want him doing anything. Neither do I want to see two dentists – my current one for an implant and another to lighten the stains. How can I handle this situation? Thank you. Daniel from Ithaca, NY

Thank you for your question, Daniel

Bleaching or Dental Bonding for Brown Fluoride Stains?

Bleaching your teeth does not help with fluoride stains. But neither does direct dental bonding if your dentist doesn’t have advanced training. Dentists apply dental bonding by hand, so you will not get good results unless a dentist has cosmetic dentistry training and an artistic eye to make the bonding look natural.

However, you can find a cosmetic dentist to replace your old dental bonding and hide your stains without making your teeth look pasty or opaque.

Dental Implant Crown to Match Bonding

Dental implant diagram of component, implant fixture in bone, and crown placement

A cosmetic dentist can match dental bonding and implant crowns

If you want your dental implant crown to match your new bonding, it is best to let one skilled cosmetic dentist do all the work. Crown matching requires specific instructions from the dentist to a ceramist. Together, they can ensure your bonding and implant crown match.

Unfortunately, your current dentist has not proven his ability with dental bonding. So, it is unlikely that you would get results if you allowed him to place your implant crown.

Look for accredited or advanced cosmetic dentists in your area. Schedule consultations with two skilled cosmetic dentists to discuss your options. The consultations will increase your comfort in switching dentists for a natural-looking smile that you can feel confident about.

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

Is swallowing ground porcelain crown particles harmful?

Posted on August 31, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Two weeks ago, my dentist placed a porcelain crown on a top right molar tooth. My bite was off, so my dentist ground down in crown in some places. Neither she nor the dental assistant rinsed my mouth. I felt some sandy particles go down my throat. What else could it be other than porcelain powder? Isn’t porcelain glass? I was upset with myself for not asking them to rinse my mouth. Should I be concerned? Thanks. Amari

Amari,

There aren’t any safety concerns about swallowing porcelain power because porcelain is biocompatible. Although there is some glass in porcelain, it’s not glass. And dental porcelain is made of the following components:

Feldspar (a mineral)
Silica (sand)
Kaolin (clay)
Some glass (mostly silica)
Coloring agents

When a dentist grinds down a porcelain crown, the sharpness of the glass particles is reduced. And the particles shouldn’t harm your throat or stomach.

A dental crown hovering below an upper front tooth

Although porcelain is biocompatible, your cosmetic dentist should prevent you from swallowing it

Although ground porcelain isn’t a health concern, it’s unpleasant for you. And it’s bad for a dentist to be negligent and allow you to swallow debris or anything else from a dental procedure. Although dental materials are safe for oral use, they are not designed for swallowoing.

Skilled cosmetic dentists—and all conscientious dentists—use high-volume suction to rinse your mouth and remove debris regularly. What’s left in your mouth should be rinsed and spit or suctioned out. Carelessly leaving stuff behind in your mouth is poor service and a good way to lose your confidence in your dentist’s concern for your comfort and oral health.

The good news is that you’ll be okay. You didn’t mention any past negative experiences with your dentist. But if you continue to experience them in the future, you might want to ask yourself if it’s worth it.

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

Will I be able to find a cosmetic dentist to reverse my gap closure?

Posted on January 12, 2019 by AllSmiles.

I visited a cosmetic dentist to have a gap closed. I lived with the gap for 40 years but finally decided to close it because it looked like it was becoming larger. The dentist recommended 6 dental crowns. He seemed like he knew what he was doing. I’m sorry that I wasn’t told that closing the gap would change my speech and that I would have to practice pronouncing certain words to make them clear. Also, it might be a coincidence, but I’m now having neck and jaw pain. My dentist claims it just takes time to get used to my teeth without a gap between them. I received the crowns in November. Is this a long-term adjustment? I’m certainly not asking him to do anymore work on my teeth, but is it possible to have the crowns removed from my center front teeth so I can just live with the gap and be able to speak clearly again? Thanks. Austin

Austin,

It is likely that the dental crowns you received from the cosmetic dentist are the cause of your speech problems and your neck and jaw pain. True cosmetic dentists close gaps with dental crowns and their patients have no speech issues or neck and jaw pain.

Before we continue with an explanation of a possible cause of your discomfort, let us explain what we meant by a “true cosmetic dentist.”

What Is True Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry involves enhancing the appearance of teeth. Any dentist can claim to be able to repair or fix your teeth—any dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. But a true cosmetic dentist has several qualifications, including:

Extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry
Artistic inclination
Participates in on-going training for cosmetic dentistry to stay current with the latest tools and techniques needed to give you a natural-looking smile

A small amount of cosmetic dentists in the United States are so passionate about producing beautiful results that they set the goal of becoming accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Accreditation attests to a dentist’s clinical skill and artistic ability, because it includes:

A written exam
An oral exam by the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry
Completing, extensively documenting, and submitting five patient cases that demonstrate a broad range of cosmetic dentistry work

What’s Causing Your Discomfort?

Although Dr. Szarek would need to examine your teeth, crowns, and bite, it seems that your cosmetic dentist opened your bite too far. Crowns that are too thick or too long can prevent your lips from closing together naturally. If your crowns are too thick, your bite—or the way your teeth fit together—could be misaligned and jaw and neck pain can result.

Can Your Gap Closure Be Reversed?

We realize that you’re disappointed and frustrated. When a patient receives dental crowns, his or her natural teeth are prepared—significantly shaved down—to ensure the dental crowns fit over the teeth. The tooth reduction cannot be reversed. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to have your natural teeth as they were before. If the issue cannot be corrected with your existing crowns, you will need new crowns.

What’s Next?

You’ll need a consultation and a second opinion.

Before you schedule a consultation, try to find an accredited cosmetic dentist. If you can’t find an accredited dentist, select a cosmetic dentist who has extensive training, beyond dental school, in occlusion/bite and cosmetic dentistry. Look on the dentist’s website for information on his or her education, training, and credentials.
Schedule a consultation; it will likely last 10-15 minutes. Some patients decide to schedule consultations with two different cosmetic dentists so they can compare options, costs, office environments, the dentist’s interaction with them, and whatever is important to the patient to have a positive experience.
During the consultation, ask to see before-and-after photos of the work the dentist has completed on multiple patients whose gaps were closed with dental crowns.
If you’re pleased with your interaction with the dentist, you can schedule an appointment for an examination to determine the cause of the issues you’re experiencing.
After an examination, and possibly digital x-rays, the dentist will explain the source of the problem, as well as your treatment options.

The before-and-after photos below show how cosmetic dentistry with dental crowns can beautiful close gaps between teeth.

BEFORE
AFTER

This post is sponsored by Dr. Michael Szarek. Dr. Szarek is located in Lowell, MA and is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Are the wrinkles in my mouth oral cancer?

Posted on September 14, 2012 by AllSmiles.

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.