Broke my denture dancing

I’ve done something I am really embarrassed about and am hoping you can help me. I’m old. I’m not telling you how old. My granddaughter keeps sending me these videos of these other elderly women who are boogying to music. I wanted to surprise her by doing my own little dance routine. I was practicing tonight and I fell. When I did, my dentures fell out and one of the […]

Is the mercury safe in fillings?

I found out that silver fillings have mercury in them. I’m a little worried about that and want to get rid of them somehow. My dentist says I can’t and that they are perfectly safe. Is he right? My friends say they can be removed. Danielle W. – Pennsylvania Danielle, Your silver (amalgam) fillings are made of about 50% mercury. Though the ADA has said they are perfectly safe, many […]

Need better veneers than my sister

When I got engaged, my sister got engaged and then scheduled her wedding for a month before mine. My whole life she’s been trying to upstage me. Well, last week she did it again. I mentioned I was going to get porcelain veneers a couple of months ago. The next thing I know she shows up at my house with veneers on her teeth! The only consolation I have is […]

Dentures fell out at birthday party

I was at my granddaughter’s birthday party. We were in the middle of singing happy birthday when my dentures fell out onto the table. I was mortified. This is kind of the last straw for me. I want to get rid of my dentures. What are my options? Hannah S. – Portland, OR Hannah, I’m a little surprised your dentist didn’t give you your options when you first needed to […]

Questions about whitening

I am getting a dental crown and opted to whiten my teeth first. I am going to use the gel my dentist is giving me, but I had some questions. First, I’ve had my teeth whitened before so this is just like a touch up of sorts. How long does it take for a touch up? I’m trying to figure out when to schedule my crown appointment. Second, how long […]

Do I need a surgeon for dentures?

I’ve been chipping my teeth a lot. My dentist says I’ll need to get dentures. Can I go to my dentist for that or do I need an oral surgeon? Meagan- Albany, NY Meagan, If you need to get dentures it is always best to get someone who can do the surgery and the dentures. If that isn’t possible, than you can go to an oral surgeon first, though I […]

Concern about dental implant plan

I’m getting four dental implants on my upper arch, but my dentist is doing six crowns. He said it is because it will help in working with the color and size. I don’t really want to get two extra crowns if they are not necessary. Is it important to do the extra ones? Molly H. – Sacramento, CA Molly, No, it is not necessary. In fact, why would you want […]

Beware of deals in dental implants

I often have people call our office looking for the cheapest dental implants. That is a very dangerous way to approach this highly complicated procedure. In fact, I firmly believe that you are more likely to end up spending more money than saving money. Dentists who offer dental implants at a price that seems too good to be true, are more than likely doing it by purchasing sub-par material. These […]

I want “hot” teeth

I just inherited a ton of money. I want to totally remake myself. I’ve been working on losing weight and am doing well. My next step is my teeth. Can I get teeth that make me look “hot”? Is there such a thing as a sexy smile? Heather H.- Benton, AR Heather, Yes, there is definitely such a thing as a sexy smile. There is also a sophisticated smile, a […]

Cracked veneer

If my new porcelain veneer cracked (about three months old), should my dentist replace it free of charge? I usually wear a night guard, but on Thanksgiving I was so tired that I fell asleep without it. I woke up with a cracked veneer. Actually, I’m lucky I woke up. I could have ended up swallowing it. Harriet I.- South Dakota Harriet, I’m assuming you wore the night guard because […]