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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

How long does teeth bonding last?

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I have 2 chipped teeth. I am deciding on whether to fix it with porcelain veneers or teeth bonding. How long does teeth bonding last? Thanks. Veronica

Veronica – Dental bonding works well for small repairs in teeth. Although it is not as durable as porcelain, if taken care of, it can last up to ten years.

Smoking, coffee, and tea tend to stain bonding. Excessive alcohol consumption will weaken the bonding and cause it to wear away prematurely.

Find a skilled cosmetic dentist who uses quality bonding material and has a variety of material so that the bonding will match your natural teeth. Keep your appointment for regular checkups and cleanings. If your bonding stains frequently, your cosmetic dentist may be able to polish the stains away.

Take care of your bonding to help it last long.

This post is sponsored by Lowell dentist Dr. Michael Szarek. Many consider Dr. Szarek to be the best Lowell dentist. Find out why.

Store-bought teeth whitening trays vs whitening strips

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Which is better store-bought teeth whitening trays or whitening strips? Thanks Ethan

Ethan – One of the common complaints about store-bought teeth whitening trays is that they don’t fit properly. The trays need to fit well for the whitening gel to penetrate your teeth. And one-size-fits-all trays won’t fit you well. You will end up wasting a lot of whitening gel.

Whitening strips fit snugly against your teeth to help the gel penetrate your teeth. But even the results from the whitening gel will be limited, because the gel is only a fraction of the strength of the gel you get from your dentist.

Dentists provide you with custom-made bleaching trays and professional strength teeth whitening gel to penetrate your teeth and break down stains. A cosmetic dentist can also determine the best way to get your smile brilliantly white, depending on the type of stains in your teeth.

Speak with your dentist about teeth whitening. He or she may be able to make it affordable for you.

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

Can teenagers get dental implants?

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I am turning 16 years old this year. I have several teeth missing because of trauma/abuse. I want to know how old I have to be to get dental implants. I was told that I am too young but it is what I want and I can afford them. Thanks. TP

TP – Dental implants are surgically implanted in your jawbone. The growth of your face and jawbone needs to have stopped for you to be considered as a candidate for dental implants.

Your natural teeth will move as you grow, but the dental implants will not. If the dental implants are placed during your growth period, as your jawbone grows, they can appear to sink into your jawbone and look shorter than your natural teeth. Premature placement of implants can also have a negative effect on the growth of your jawbone near the implant site.

There is no definite age at which growth is completed. Some dentists place implants between on young patients when they are between 19 and 21 years old. X-rays, genetics, and your family history will give an implant dentist clues as to whether or not your jawbone and facial growth are complete.

You can speak with your dentist about other options for temporarily replacing your teeth until you can receive dental implants.

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

I think my tooth is cracked

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Two weeks ago I mistakenly bit down on something hard that should not have been in the food I was eating. I was sure that my tooth was broken. My tongue was bleeding on that side of my mouth. I went to the dentist the next day. She took x-rays and said that everything looked fine. I took ibuprofen for several days and it felt a little better. This week my tooth started throbbing. I really think it is cracked. Should I go back to the dentist? – Rob

Rob – At times, when I tooth is first traumatized, the damage doesn’t immediately show up on an x-ray. You should make an appointment with your dentist to have your tooth examined again.

If you are getting an infection in the tooth, it will require a root canal treatment and a porcelain crown to prevent it from breaking. The nerve in the tooth will eventually die, blood will no longer flow to the tooth, and it will become weak. The crown protects the tooth.

If the root of the tooth is fractured, the tooth cannot be saved. It will need to be replaced with a dental implant or a dental bridge.

See your dentist to get an accurate diagnosis and to find out your treatment options.

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

My porcelain crowns don’t match my natural teeth

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Last October I got 3 porcelain crowns for upper teeth in the front of my mouth. One of the crowns matches the color of my natural teeth but the other 2 don’t match. Twice my dentist attempted to make the color match. He keeps saying the lab didn’t get it right. Through the whole process I have not pretended to be pleased, so with my last visit he said that he could try it again or if I want to leave the teeth as they are, he will give me a discount. 3 attempts? I have no confidence in his ability to get the match correct. I am disappointed and frustrated. What next? – Jane H.

Jane – Unfortunately, your experience shows how different an outcome can be, depending on the dentist who does the work. An artistically inclined cosmetic dentist beautifully restores teeth with porcelain crowns.

Although your dentist says attributes the color-match issue to the laboratory, it is the dentist who supplies the technician with notes and instructions to create your dental crowns. Color-match photography is available to take a color-accurate photograph of your teeth. The photograph can be sent to the technician, along with the dentist’s notes to get an accurate match.

You must decide whether or not you want your dentist to try the color match again. You have the option of making an appointment with a skilled and credentialed cosmetic dentist who can provide you with crowns to perfectly match the color and translucency of your natural teeth.

Since your dentist offered a discount because you are displeased with the work, perhaps he will be willing to provide you with some sort of compensation if you decide to let a cosmetic dentist do the work.

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