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Common
Smile Problems
Q:
What can be done to fix crooked, chipped or broken teeth?
A: Cosmetic contouring, porcelain veneers, orthodontics,
bonding or crowns can be used to correct this. We usually recommend
porcelain veneers to get the best aesthetic results. The best way to
determine the best option for you is through a detailed cosmetic consultation
which involves a full exam, x-rays, cleaning, and a number of other
diagnostic procedures. At that point, through computerized cosmetic
imaging we can develop your customized smile design. Check out
Our Smile Gallery for examples of these procedures.
Q: How can I close the gap between my two front teeth?
A: There are a number of options to correct this problem, which
may include one or more of the following: porcelain veneers, crowns,
bonding, and orthodontics. Click on our Before & After Photo
Gallery for examples of clients with gaps in their teeth that we corrected.
Q:
What can I do about my gummy smile?
A: For most people the answer is, "absolutely nothing!"
Gum sculpting or "gingival contouring" as it is sometimes
called, is one of the most common procedures we perform. A symmetrical
and even gum line is one of the most important aspects of getting a
beautiful smile. We use an electrosurge unit or a laser to contour the
gum tissue. Most people report that after the procedure is performed
it feels like a "pizza burn". Usually, we can continue
with other treatments like bonding or veneers on the same day.
Q: How can I correct severely discolored teeth from tetracycline?
A: Tetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat a number of illnesses.
One of its major drawbacks is that it causes severe staining in
teeth if it is used in growing children. These teeth have a gray
or dark brown appearance to them. Such discolored teeth may not
satisfactorily respond to whitening treatments. Porcelain veneers
can be a miraculous answer for those patients who thought that nothing
could be done for their teeth.
Q: What can I do to make my small teeth larger?
A: There are a number of options including porcelain veneers,
crowns, and bonding.
Q: What can be done to repair cracked teeth?
A: Translumination with a dental handpiece or an intraoral camera can
be used to help determine the extent of the cracks. Some of the
possible choices to correct the problem would be porcelain veneers,
crowns, or bonding.
Q: What can I do about my "buck teeth"?
A: Recommended treatment can be discussed after a cosmetic
consultation. Treatments include porcelain veneers, crowns, bonding,
orthodontics or simply cosmetic contouring of the teeth.
Q: Should I just pull out all my bad teeth and get dentures?
A: Once your natural teeth are gone - they're gone. We encourage
patients to try and save their teeth for a number of reasons. Pulling
teeth hat can and should be saved leads to unnatural stresses on the
dental ridges and the other teeth and can result in their loss as well.
Opposing teeth will start to super-erupt. Adjacent teeth
can drift and tilt into the missing spaces. Tooth loss causes
ineffective chewing which can even lead to digestive disorders. It
is difficult to chew food efficiently with dentures. Tooth
loss also leads to bone loss in jaws. Many young denture patients
appear prematurely aged due to the bone loss they experience after having
their teeth pulled. In addition, dentures are colonized by mouth
bacteria and pick up odors and stains. They must be taken out at night
or they can lead to a yeast infection of the gums. Dentures are
a good choice for patients who have no hope of saving their teeth. Without
natural teeth, a denture, implants or bridges are the most common options
restorations which add stability and provide a better choice for clients
that have missing teeth. In providing the most optimal of treatments
for our clients, we can establish good functioning, aesthetically pleasing,
and long-lasting teeth.
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