Corner of mouth cracking

My aunt got dentures and ever since then, I’ve noticed the corners of her mouth cracking. Is this related? If so, what can be done about it? Maisie M. – Houston, TX Maisie, I’m glad you’re there to look after your aunt. There are many reasons for this to happen. It is “officially” known as Angular Chelitis. Despite their being many possible reasons for it, If this has coincided with […]

and image of dentures side by side to a dental implant

Dentist said there isn’t enough room for dental implants

Years ago, I lost a tooth. I didn’t replace it because it wasn’t very visible and I was quite poor then. Now my situation is different. I have money. I lost an adjacent tooth and want to replace both of them. My dentist said there isn’t enough room and he needs to do a bridge. The other teeth are fine, so I really don’t want to grind them down. This […]

Woman smiling in the dental chair with her dentist behind her

What if my dentist left tooth roots?

I had two teeth extracted. I’d planned on getting dental implants. However, last night I noticed that one of the roots is still there. Can I still get dental implants with the root there? Elaine T. – New Mexico Elaine, Are you certain it is the root of the tooth and not just some debris that needs to be cleaned out? There are occasions when a tooth root is left, […]

My pediatric dentist says children can’t have white fillings

My nine year old needs a filling. I don’t want any mercury in his system and therefore want a white filling. His pediatric dentist, however, says that children can’t have those. I find that hard to believe. Thoughts? Maddie J. – Washington Maddie, You’re right. Children can have white fillings. What your pediatric dentist was probably trying to convey, is that it is difficult for children to sit still during […]

Don’t want to grind my teeth down for veneers

I’m getting a smile makeover. My dentist wants me to get Lumineers so as not to have my teeth ground down, but I have heard there are a lot of complaints about Lumineers. Is there a way to get a good brand of porcelain veneer without grinding down my teeth? Heather M. – Ft. Worth, TX Heather, I’m glad to hear that you’re concerned about Lumineers. Too many people just […]

I hate, hate, hate my porcelain veneers

I spent more money than I can handle typing to get porcelain veneers, but they are almost worse than my normal teeth. I am so disappointed. I thought these were supposed to make your teeth gorgeous? I told my dentist I wasn’t happy and he says they’re beautiful. What do I do? Gina E. – Baltimore Gina, Did your dentist let you see the veneers before he bonded them onto […]

Can only afford veneers on my top teeth

I want to get porcelain veneers, but my dentist wants me to get them on every tooth. I just can’t afford that. Is it completely necessary? Can I just get the top teeth? Marnita – South Dakota Marnita, I’m a little concerned by what you’re saying. Do you mean your dentist wants you to put a veneer on every tooth? Top and bottom? Even your back teeth? That is a […]

My teeth look like they belong in a teaching skeleton

I just got dentures. I am not happy. They look like those kind of fake teeth you see on skeletons in a classroom. I heard they could be uncomfortable, but I thought they’d at least look like real teeth. Is there any way to make them look better? Amelia L. – Idaho Amelia, The problem isn’t with the dentures. The problem is with your dentist. Though dentures aren’t as ideal […]

Why should my dentist care if I smoke?

I’m trying to get dental implants, but my dentist won’t place them if I’m still smoking. I say it’s none of his business if I smoke. I’m paying him, he should place the implants. Stanley W. – Arkansas Stanley, I understand your line of thinking. Your dentist is a contractor. You’ve hired him to place dental implants. He should do the job and let you worry about the statistics. Look […]

Having problems with my dentist

I’m getting porcelain veneers. I have in mind what I want, but my dentist thinks I should do it differently. I’m not asking for anything outlandish, I just know what type of smile I want. He’s thinks it won’t work for my “age”. Outside of finding that pretty insulting, I’m paying a buttload of money for this makeover, shouldn’t it be what I wanted? Sara S. – Louisiana Sara, You’re […]