Can I get implants cheaper than clear choice?

I went to my local Clear Choice center and they quoted me about $50,000. I almost fainted. $50,000!! I’ve already had all my teeth extracted. Will that make it any cheaper? Is there another way to save money on these implants? I can’t really wear my dentures any more, so I know I need them, but jimminey crickets that is a lot of money. Dirk from Newport. Dirk, Clear Choice […]

Lumineers for cavities

I have a lot of cavities and I’m embarrassed by my smile. Will Lumineers fix the cavities on top of the look of my teeth? Becky W. from Arkansas Becky, Lumineers are a specific brand of porcelain veneers. Regardless of the brand of porcelain veneers you choose, they are intended solely for cosmetic use and, therefore, will not repair your cavities. Depending on the size of your cavities, it is […]

My dental bonding fell off

I fell and chipped a tooth. My dentist put bonding on it. It kept getting caught on my dental floss. Then after about 8 days it fell off. Did I do something wrong? Brianna J. -Albuquerque, New Mexico Brianna, Though we have to bear in mine I haven’t examined you, I really don’t think you did anything wrong. Here’s why: First, your floss shouldn’t get caught on the dental bonding. […]

Thanks for the invaluable advice

Here is a thank you we got from Amy from Massachusetts, regarding her dental flipper question: Dear Dr. Newkirk, Thanks so much for your fast response to my dental question. The information you provided regarding the need to have a temporary “flipper” tooth installed after my tooth extraction was much more detailed than that provided by my dentist. Great service. Thanks again for your invaluable advice. – Amy from Massachusetts […]

Do I really need this flipper temporary?

I have a missing tooth on upper right, and will be having an implant done shortly. My dentist says I need to have a “flipper partial” installed while the gum is healing from the surgery so that the teeth on either side of the dental implant don’t move while I’m waiting to have a permanent tooth installed. I’m not keen on wearing a flipper because of the discomfort since it […]

Fixing a broken partial denture

I have a partial that is made with metal. The bar that holds the 3 teeth together broke so now 2 are together and the other is separated. Is this repairable? I need to get it fixed because these are front teeth and I look awful. – Daron from Alabama Daron, I’m not sure I’m understanding the configuration of this partial denture. I’ll guess that you have a removable partial […]

What is the best crown?

I have a broken bridge in the back of my mouth and a missing incisor, and loose front tooth that just recently happened from falling and knocking out my tooth. Friends keep telling me to get the new Lava crowns?? They say they are very strong. I am so lost, Please help. I am very distraught and want to find the best dentist to make my smile beautiful and natural. […]

My porcelain crowns keep cracking

Hi I had porcelain caps for about 6 years now on just about all my teeth. Well since then I had to replace 8 of them from them cracking. I was eating chicken tonight and another one broke. The dentist that did the work said it happens. I paid over 40,000 plus constant root canals. I never had a problem with my teeth until I had my teeth done. Is […]

Can my dentist just “paint over” my white spots on my front teeth?

I have had white spots on my two top eye teeth since I was a teenager. I recently had Zoom whitening done. The rest of my teeth whitened but these white spots are still there. My dentist says that he can “rough up” the outer part of my teeth and paint over these two spots. I suppose this is safe? I do not want to damage my teeth just to […]

Can I use my Sonicare on my porcelain veneers?

I’m getting porcelain veneers and was wondering about aftercare. I have read that I’m not supposed to let the hygenist use any kind of ultrasonic equipment on them. So I’m wondering going forward for my checkups and cleaning what I should have them do? I want to make sure they don’t do anything that could harm the veneers. I questioned my dentist also about using my Sonicare going forward. He […]