Archives for October 2023

Dentist or Orthodontist to Reduce My Tooth Gap?

Posted on October 27, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Should I get a cosmetic dentist or an orthodontist to close my gap a little? The gap is between my front teeth, but it’s getting wider by the week. I used to like the gap and saw it as my signature smile. However, it’s getting wider as I age. I don’t want to close the gap completely, nor do I want it to become wide enough to fit another tooth. What are my options for closing a gap? Should I see a cosmetic dentist or an orthodontist to reduce the space? I want teeth whitening afterward, so I know I should see a cosmetic dentist for whitening. Thanks. Anya

Anya– The space between your teeth can be closed with the assistance of a top cosmetic dentist or an orthodontist.

Options for Reducing a Tooth Gap

A skilled cosmetic dentist can explain your options for reducing or closing a tooth gap. Your options may include one or more treatments below:

Dental bonding – Depending on the size of the gap and how much space needs to be reduced, it’s possible that a skilled cosmetic dentist can reduce it with chairside dental bonding. A cosmetic dentist can skillfully apply bonding while you relax in a dental chair. Cosmetics dentist stock bonding in various colors to perfectly match the color and translucence of your natural teeth. The bonding will blend seamlessly with your teeth.
Porcelain veneers – Accredited cosmetic dentists are skilled in matching veneers to natural teeth to reduce or close spaces.
Orthodontic treatment – An orthodontist specializes in tooth and jaw alignment and can provide you with braces. Many cosmetic dentists also offer orthodontic treatment—particularly with Invisalign invisible braces.

Schedule consultations with at least two experienced cosmetic dentists. They will briefly examine your gap and let you know your options for reducing it in a way that looks completely natural and complements your smile. You must complete teeth whitening before dental bonding or porcelain veneers to ensure the veneers or bonding match your bright smile.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Porcelain Veneers for My Crooked Teeth or Invisalign?

Posted on October 15, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I’m trying to decide whether to get porcelain veneers for my crooked teeth or Invisalign. I just got engaged last weekend. I wasn’t expecting it so soon, but I am incredibly happy. I am regretting that I didn’t get Invisalign before now. I have several crooked front teeth, and now I am in a rush to get them straightened out before October 2024. I want a beautiful smile for my wedding pictures. We were thinking about engagement pictures, but I don’t want to send photos of me smiling with crooked teeth. Maybe I just won’t smile for the engagement pictures, but that would seem strange. Is a year enough time for Invisalign, or should I get porcelain veneers? Thanks. Raleigh

Raleigh,

Porcelain veneer

Congratulations on your engagement! You need to receive an examination to determine how long it would take to straighten your teeth with Invisalign. Of course, porcelain veneers are faster, but a cosmetic dentist can help you compare your options.

Porcelain Veneers for Crooked Teeth or Invisalign?

Porcelain veneers can straighten mild cases of crooked teeth, but so can Invisalign. A consultation will help you compare which treatment options are available to you based on several factors:

Teeth condition – Your teeth and gums must be healthy before cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers or Invisalign.
Teeth position – Porcelain veneers can correct mildly crooked teeth. However, orthodontic treatment corrects complex cases.
Your preferences – A cosmetic dentist must prepare your teeth for porcelain veneers by removing tiny amounts of enamel from the fronts of your teeth. Also, porcelain veneers only correct the teeth that show when you smile. If you want all your teeth aligned, you may prefer Invisalign.
Your timeline – Porcelain veneers straighten crooked teeth faster than Invisalign. However, Invisalign aligners are virtually Invisible and may not be noticeable in your pictures. Also, you can remove the aligners for your wedding day. Your dentist or an orthodontist can project how well your teeth will be aligned by your wedding date.
Your budget –Porcelain veneers can cost $1,500 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on the dentist’s fees and where you live in the US. Invisalign is less expensive.

Schedule a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

A Front-Tooth Porcelain Veneer Is Too White

Posted on October 6, 2023 by AllSmiles.

Last month, I got porcelain veneers on my 4 top front teeth. One veneer is much whiter than the others and looks slightly thicker. Also, all the Lumineers are lighter than my natural teeth. It’s so embarrassing. My dentist and I talked for a long time about this, but she says the veneer will darken with time. Aren’t they supposed to match now? Should I insist on a new veneer or ask for a refund? Thank you.

Gayle – Yes, your new Lumineers and natural teeth should match. Veneers should blend in with your natural teeth’s size and shape.

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain is colorfast, which means your veneers can’t be made lighter or darker after they have been crafted. You and your dentist should agree upon the shade of your veneers before crafting a wax model.

Speak with your dentist about correcting the color and thickness of the too-white veneer and whitening your teeth to match the porcelain veneers closer. If your dentist hesitates, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist for the following services:

Whiten your natural teeth – It is possible a skilled cosmetic dentist can whiten your natural teeth to match the color of your porcelain veneers closely. A cosmetic dentist will need to examine your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for teeth bleaching. If you are, the dentist will explain the results you can expect with whitening and how closely your natural teeth will match the veneers. Ordinarily, you should get teeth whitening before veneers.
Get a new porcelain veneer – Your dentist and ceramist can collaborate to replace the veneer that is whiter than the others.

We strongly suggest taking the time to find an experienced cosmetic dentist. You may want to find a few cosmetic dentists experienced with porcelain veneers and have a consultation with each to compare the options and costs. After you get a second opinion, you can consider speaking with your dentist about fair compensation for having the extra work done by another dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.