Archives for January 2019

Press-on Versus Porcelain Veneers

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I’d like to improve my smile. I’ve got very stained teeth along with three chipped teeth due to various falls. Yes, I’m a klutz. I’m working on it. While I realize porcelain veneers are the best option, I just plain can’t afford them. I recently read about press-on veneers. You tell their lab what you want and take a home impression then they mail them to you to press on. The only catch that I see is they are $1,000. I don’t want to spend that much money if they’re not useful. What are your thoughts?

Angela

Dear Angela,

A porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth
Porcelain veneers done by an expert cosmetic dentist will give you a gorgeous smile.

I’m glad you wrote before investing in something you’ll regret. Press-on Veneers aren’t anything like porcelain veneers. You should know they are only truly useful for something like a photo shoot, where you don’t have to talk or eat, and no one will see you too close in person.

With professional porcelain veneers, you smile is custom designed specifically to your smile according the dream smile you have in mind. They are then prepared by a ceramist hand chosen by the dentist for their skill who follows the dentist’s specific instructions.

Your teeth are also prepared for the veneers so there is no additional bulk on your teeth. After you approve them, they are permanently bonded onto your teeth. None of that will happen with the press-ons. I personally don’t feel they are worth the investment.

Alternatives to Porcelain Veneers

Based on the issues you outlined above, I think you will be much better served if you get your teeth whitened and then have the chipped teeth repaired with dental bonding. Both of those together could cost equal or less than the press ons.

Any dentist can do the tooth bleaching, which is the procedure you want first. After that, you can get the dental bonding done to match your new white color.

However, you will need a cosmetic dentist for that procedure. Though done in one appointment, it is done freehand and requires someone with good technical skills as well as an artistic eye to make them look beautiful and natural.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Is a CT Really Necessary for Dental Implants?

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I’m trying to choose between two dentists for getting dental implants. It’s on a top front tooth. One says if I don’t get a CT scan, I’m asking for dental implant failure or other problems. The other dentist says it is unnecessary and expensive. I don’t want to waste money, but I also don’t want to have dental implant failure.

Help!
Linda

Dear Linda,

dental implant diagram

I’m glad you are checking. I would say the CT scan is extremely important. This is especially true with where your dental implant is being placed. The advantages of a CT scan is it gives a 3D view of the layout for this procedure.

I can’t tell you how many people have ended up with their dental implant perforating the sinus cavity because the dentist didn’t have a great image of the area. I’m a little concerned about the second dentist’s attitude. And if he always does dental implant placement without a CT scan and has never hit a sinus cavity, my guess is he uses shorter implants to prevent that possibility. While you may think that is no big deal, the smaller implants don’t hold up as well.

Good implant dentists care very much what type of implant fixtures they use. Some dentists will buy cheap fixtures to save money. They’ll either charge less to draw in patients or charge the same as other implant dentists to increase their profits. The big problem with using these fixtures is things don’t usually go wrong until later. The patient will have no idea what caused their implant failure.

If you want the safest option, I’d go with the first dentist.

Dental Implants and Teeth Whitening

There are some aesthetics to consider here with it being a front tooth you are replacing. You’ll want to make sure whoever makes your implant is an expert cosmetic dentist. Matching a single crown to a front tooth is something only the best cosmetic dentists can do well. Look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

A second consideration is the current color of your teeth. The color your crown is made is permanent. If you plan on whitening your teeth in the near future, it makes more sense for you to bleach your teeth before the crown is made. That way you won’t have to replace the crown to match the whiter color. Dental work doesn’t whiten, only natural tooth color.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.

Arnold Dental
699 Perimeter Drive, Suite 200
Lexington, KY 40517
Phone: 859-269-1000
Email: info@lexingtonsmiles.com
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