mynewsmile.com Archives - Naperville Cosmetic Dentist

Will My Gum Drop Down with My Dental Implant?

February 29, 2020 by writeradmin

I had a dental implant placed on a tooth which is visible when I smile. The gum for that tooth is higher than the rest of my gums. To me, that looks weird. My dentist suggested I get a temporary crown to see if the gum will drop down on its own. We did that, but I don’t like how the temporary crown looks. Should I get a cosmetic dentist to do it? What if the gum doesn’t drop down?

Mason

Dear Mason,

While the temporary crown is a good idea to see if the gum will drop down, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will. If it doesn’t, here is what I’d recommend. In most cases, your gums aren’t visible when you smile. I would stand in front of a mirror and smile. If you can’t see your gums, it won’t really be necessary to do anything. If you have low gums and they are visible, you will want to have that repaired. Though, your dentist should make that right.

The crown for your dental implant is the bigger deal. Because it is a visible tooth, you will want to be happy with the appearance of the temporary crown before you allow him to place the permanent one. Make sure he uses an all-porcelain crown. Those will look more natural.

While all dentists do dental crowns, when you’re doing it on a front tooth it takes a bit more skill. If your dentist seems unable to get the temporary crown beautiful, don’t let them make you think the permanent crown will look any better. At that point, it is better to see a more skilled cosmetic dentist.

I often recommend patients research both the training and experience the dentist has in both implant dentistry as well as cosmetic dentistry. If we lived in a period of time where just having all your teeth made you beautiful, than just getting a dental crown would be enough. These days, there is a higher standard of attractiveness. Therefore, you should hold your dentists to a higher standard as well. The mynewsmile.com website only recommends skilled cosmetic dentists so if you need to find a new one, I’d start there.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Finding a Good Cosmetic Dentist

February 24, 2020 by writeradmin

I need some advice from someone not in my area so it will be an unbiased opinion. I want to get porcelain veneers and teeth whitening done. Every dentist in my area claims to be a cosmetic dentist. Is there some way of knowing who does good cosmetic work and who doesn’t?

Peter

Dear Peter,

Woman smiling in the dental chair with her dentist behind her

Certain procedures require you find the best dentist.

This is an important question. Patients who haven’t thought to ask this are usually the ones who end up with cosmetic dentistry horror stories. Let’s keep you from being one of them.

Imagine for a moment there wasn’t such a thing as a medical degree. No board exams. No required training. Anyone who wanted to could hang a shingle outside their door and call themselves a doctor. How would a patient know who was safe to go to and who wasn’t? I guess you could see where the coroner ends up the most and avoid that practice. What a disaster, right? Well, that’s sort of what we have in the cosmetic dentistry world. Yes, a prospective dentist will have to get a degree to be a dentist, but after that, it is up to them how much they study about things like cosmetic dentistry, TMJ, dental implants, etc.

Finding the Best Dentist to Do Your Cosmetic Dental Work

This puts the patient in a difficult place. One thing I recommend is making sure they have done some post-doctoral study in cosmetic work. Smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. Then, you would want to look at their smile gallery to see what kind of results they get. You would want to be blown away by the before and after images. Though, you may want to call and check that it is the dentist’s work and not just stock photos.

That can give you some protection, though you wouldn’t know the technical things to look for such as: emergence profile, gingival health, an understanding of color and translucency, an artistic sense, passion for beauty, and attention to detail.

I can tell you there is a dentist, no longer in practice, who does just this for patients looking for the best dentist to do their cosmetic work. He runs the mynewsmile.com website and has a find a cosmetic dentist link. You can search there to find someone qualified and artistic in your area.

You’ll want to do your teeth whitening before you have your porcelain veneers done. The good news is, just about any dentist can do teeth whitening. It really doesn’t take a lot of special training. This will let you get some progress in on your smile while you decide on who should do the veneers, which will take a highly skilled dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Solution for Tetracycline Stains

January 1, 2020 by writeradmin

I have had tetracycline stains for as long as I can remember. I am ready to do something about it. I wanted to whiten my teeth, but my dentist insists that won’t make any difference. Instead, he wants to do dental crowns, but I’m not thrilled with that. Even though my smile is ugly, my teeth are perfectly healthy. I’ve only had one cavity in my entire life. Why won’t teeth whitening work?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Tetracycline stains are among the most difficult types of stains to deal with. Most of the time, teeth whitening won’t do anything to help. Though, the Kor Whitening brand has had more success with this than the others. The problem stems from how deep and dark tetracycline stains are. You have to have the cosmetic solution to be opaque enough to cover the stains, yet still have that natural translucency of your natural teeth.

To get around that difficulty, most dentists will grind your teeth down to nubs and place crowns on the teeth. But, that is practically destroying healthy teeth. Not something you’ll want to do if you can help it. The better solution would be to get porcelain veneers, but it would take an expert cosmetic dentist to pull this off well.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

Because there isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, patients are in a difficult position. Smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. It is up to the dentist to obtain the post-doctoral training necessary to create a beautiful smile. This is especially important when it comes to a difficult case such as yours.

So, how does a patient go about finding a dentist who can give them their dream smile instead of a disaster? There is a website, that understood the predicament most patients found themselves in. As a result, they started a “Find a Cosmetic Dentist” link. They screen any dentist for their training and artistic skills before they can be listed. This way a patient knows a dentist from that list has the qualifications and artistic eye to create a stunning smile for them.

Even then, when you find someone in your area on their list, I’d ask them to show you some before and after pictures of smile makeovers they’ve done with tetracycline cases. Don’t let them show you stock photos. It has to be something they’ve personally done.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Dental Bonding Yellow in 5 Days

November 26, 2019 by writeradmin

I’m worried about my dental bonding. I’ve just had them five days and now they seem to be turning yellow. I wonder if I wasn’t supposed to brush with baking soda. I thought it would keep them super clean, but the change in color has me concerned. Did I do something wrong?

Katie

Dear Katie,

Baking soda as a toothpaste is quite abrasive. That could have damaged the polish on your dental bonding, allowing it to pick up stains. It’s also possible your dentist used subpar materials which is leading to the yellowing. Though I hope that’s not the case, the fact that you didn’t seem to get any post-operative instructions on how to care for your procedure, gives me cause for concern.

Because you’ve only had the dental bonding for five days, I am going to suggest you go back to your dentist and ask them to polish up the work again. Then, when you brush your teeth, use Supersmile Toothpaste. This is specifically designed to keep both teeth and cosmetic work both clean and healthy.

If after you’re using Supersmile the yellow returns, or if it never really goes away, that means your dentist is doing something wrong. They are likely in over their head. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty, so it is up to the dentist to get the requisite post-doctoral training they need to develop the right skills.

If it turns out your dentist can’t make this right (or keep it right), go to the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend great cosmetic dentists in each state. Because that site is run by a retired cosmetic dentist, he prescreens those who want to be listed on the site. They have to demonstrate adequate cosmetic education, technical knowledge, and artistry. The dentists listed there can repair the bonding and give you the smile you want.

If they have to start over, this gives you a chance to make improvements. If you decide you want the teeth whiter, you’ll need to have teeth whitening done before having the bonding replaced. This way everything can go together nicely. Once the bonding is on, it cannot be whitened. You’ll want it made the color you want permanently the first time.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Porcelain Veneers with an Overbite

November 5, 2019 by writeradmin

I have a double whammy against my smile. First, there is my overbite. Then I have horrible tetracycline stains. I went to my dentist in order to get porcelain veneers. He said my overbite means I’m not a candidate for dental implants. I was disappointed to hear that. He wants to do six porcelain crowns instead. If he does, should I whiten my bottom teeth? I don’t think crowns will work on them.

Laura

Dear Laura,

I don’t want you to get porcelain crowns on either your top or bottom teeth. Your solution was the best one. I’m a little amused at your dentist’s suggestion your bite will prohibit you from getting porcelain veneers. My guess is your dentist isn’t comfortable doing porcelain veneers because he doesn’t have the training. Rather than tell you that and get embarrassed, he made up some weak excuse about your overbite.

The funny thing about that is porcelain veneers actually make more sense than porcelain crowns because, with the veneers, nothing needs to be placed on the back of your teeth. I’m going to suggest you go with your plan of porcelain veneers. However, I don’t want you to use your family dentist. He’s obviously not a cosmetic dentist.

Given your tetracycline stains, you are going to need an expert cosmetic dentist. This is one of the toughest type of cosmetic cases to do well. Don’t be surprised if the dentist tells you to get eight or ten veneers. I’m not sure why your dentist suggested six crowns. Most people’s smiles are much wider than that. What you’ll do is whiten your teeth first. Then your dentist will place an appropriate number of veneers on your teeth.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

It is difficult for patients to know how to find a skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist. This is because there isn’t really a recognized cosmetic dentistry specialty. Because of that, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of the amount of training they’ve invested in learning how to do smile makeovers.

Fortunately, there is a website which has taken the guesswork out of everything for patients. If you go to mynewsmile.com you can do a search for advanced cosmetic dentists in your area. The dentist can not simply pay to be listed. They are evaluated for both their technical training and their artistry. They can give you a stunning smile.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Why Does the Cosmetic Dentist Matter if they Outsource their Ceramic Work

September 30, 2019 by writeradmin

I’m planning on getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers. Everyone keeps warning me that I have to choose the cosmetic dentist carefully. I would understand that if I were getting dental bonding, which the dentist does himself. But, I’m getting porcelain veneers. Isn’t that sent out to a ceramist to do the work? Why would the dentist matter?

Corrie

Dear Corrie,

You’ve asked a good question. You’re right that cosmetic dentists send the work to a ceramist to do. However, I want you to think about it as a prescription. A doctor examines you, then makes a diagnosis and writes a prescription to help you get better. While you take that prescription to a pharmacy to produce the pills for you, it’s the doctor who mattered. If the doctor writes the wrong prescription or made an incorrect diagnoses you won’t get better. In fact, you could get worse.

It’s similar with cosmetic work. Your dentist designs the smile and writes the equivalent of a prescription. This would include the shade map, the surface texture, and the degree of translucency. In addition, the quality of his impressions, as well as the preparation of your teeth which he does, makes a huge difference.

Smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. It’s a skill that requires a great deal of post-doctoral training, as well as an artistic eye. Unfortunately, cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. So how is a patient supposed to know who has the training as well as artistry required?

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

What you would have to do is ask where they received their cosmetic training after dental school, knowing which institutions are reputable. Then you’d ask to see visual evidence of cases the dentist had done personally showing the before as well as the results he achieved.

Fortunately, someone has done that for you. The mynewsmile.com website screens cosmetic dentists who want to be listed on their referral link. No dentist can just pay to be listed. The site, run by an cosmetic dentist, verifies their training and inspects their previous cosmetic cases to make sure they create beautiful work.

If they list a dentist, you can be assured whether you get dental bonding or porcelain veneers, the results will be stunning.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Dental Bonding Disaster

September 25, 2019 by writeradmin

I’m trying to figure out what to do. I’ve had these spaces toward the top of my teeth that look like dark triangles. I got so tired of that being the thing I see when I smile. My dentist said he could just close those spaces with dental bonding and it would be an easy fix. That has not been the case. When he first did the bonding it looked like he just did some white caulking on my teeth. It doesn’t match at all. He insisted that’s because I’m used to seeing it dark there and it matches fine. I don’t agree. The bigger problem, though, is I can’t get floss between the teeth anymore. Is that going to bad or am I overreacting?

Lorna

Dear Lorna,

upper and lower teeth showing some black traingles

Black triangles on upper front teeth and several lower teeth

Black triangles, such as you can see in the picture above, are generally caused by receding gums. Direct dental bonding is a solution for it, but it does take an expert cosmetic dentist. It doesn’t sound like your dentist has this expertise. The fact that you can’t floss is a serious problem. So, no, you’re not overreacting.

This is a problem with dental bonding in a situation like yours. Without a proper understanding of how to shape the bonding in that area you end up with a spot where food and bacteria will get trapped. This is what you’re facing. Without the ability to floss you are going to develop decay and gum disease.

Fixing a Dental Bonding Disaster

My suggestion is to have your dentist use sandpaper strips which are designed to remove this type of dental bonding and have the case re-done. Because he’s put your teeth at risk with this being done incorrectly, you have a right to ask for a refund or for him to make it right.

The color and shape are tricky in that area. There are shade variations even in that tiny space. Plus, if he doesn’t shape it right the second time, you’ll still be in danger of there being no way to floss. If you trust him enough to give it another try, go ahead and give him another chance. However, if you don’t have confidence he can get this right, a refund is a reasonable request.

Finding a Skilled Cosmetic Dentist to Fix Your Dental Bonding

My suggestion, if you decide to get a refund and find a more skilled dentist, would be to look at the cosmetic dentist recommendations on the mynewsmile.com website. A dentist cannot just pay to be listed. Instead, they are screened for both technical skill as well as artistry. Without a high level of training and talent in both areas, they won’t be listed. Any of the dentists listed on their site will do a good job for you.

It’s worth noting that the color the bonding is made is permanent. If you decide to whiten your teeth at a later date, your natural tooth structure will whiten but not the bonding. Because of that, it’s always wiser to whiten your teeth first.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Porcelain Veneers for Tetracycline Stains

August 31, 2019 by writeradmin

I have struggled with embarrassing tetracycline stains my whole life. I’m about to graduate college and have a job which will allow me to finally get my smile fixed. I spoke with my family dentist and he wants to do dental crowns. I’m a little leery of this because, other than the stains, my teeth are completely healthy. I’m not sure I want to grind them down. I asked about porcelain veneers and he didn’t think they’d work. I’m hoping if they don’t there’s another option.

Callie

Dear Callie,

Your family dentist is steering you away from porcelain veneers, not because they can’t be done, but because he is not skilled in them. Many general dentists use porcelain crowns as a crutch. They think the added thickness will help with covering the stains. As you’ve noted, though, it means you have to grind down healthy tooth structure.

Tetracycline stains are among the toughest stains to cover. The porcelain veneers have to be opaque enough to cover the stains, yet translucent enough to still look natural. I would say only about 1-2% of dentists have the ability to pull off this type of smile makeover. You truly need an expert cosmetic dentist. You’ll have to be careful about who you choose.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

There isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry. Even worse, doing smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school. If a dentist is interested in doing cosmetic work, they have to invest time and training in the skills on their own at post-doctoral institutions.

It’s hard for patients to know which of these institutions are reputable and do a great job teaching how to create a beautiful smile. To help with this, mynewsmile.com has a “find a cosmetic dentist” page. They pre-screen each dentist who wants to be listed on their page.

The dentist has to show they’ve received the right post-doctoral training. But, technical skill alone isn’t enough to be listed. The dentist then has to show they have an artistic eye by providing visual evidence of cases they’ve done. Once their skill and artistry are verified, that’s when they are listed. Not before.

While this shouldn’t be a problem with anyone listed on their site, make sure you get to see the porcelain veneers on your teeth with a temporary try-in paste in several different types of lighting before they are bonded onto your teeth. Don’t approve them unless you are pleased.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

DURAthin Versus Lumineers— Which is Less Expensive

August 13, 2019 by writeradmin

I’ve been researching the ultra-thin veneers in preparation for my smile makeover. I like the look on the pictures of DURAthin better than Lumineers but wondered if there is a significant cost difference. I can’t seem to find that information anywhere.

Alanna

Dear Alanna,

Lumineers are one brand of porcelain veneers

I like that you are doing research, but I’d like to switch how you’re approaching it. Let’s start with the cost. The reason you can’t find any cost lists is because most of the price for a smile makeover is based on the individual dentist and his or her skill level.

While some dentists will charge as low as $700 per porcelain veneer (and I would stay far, far away from those dentists), others will charge around $3000 a veneer. That doesn’t necessarily mean the higher the price the better the smile makeover.

Smile makeovers are an art form. Unfortunately, that art isn’t taught in dental school. A dentist has to pursue post-doctoral training in order to develop the skills required. Not only does it take technical knowledge, but the dentist will need an artistic eye.

Just like any art, some artists are better than others. You can give the same paints to two different painters and ask them tp create a pastoral scene. In almost all cases, one will be better than the other. It’s got nothing to do with the brand of paints used. It’s the skill of the painter.

It will be the same with your new smile. If you want a gorgeous smile, the thing to do is pick the right dentist and let them pick the best brand of porcelain veneers to achieve the smile you want.

Finding a Great Cosmetic Dentist

I’m going to suggest that you go to the mynewsmile.com website. It is run by an expert cosmetic dentist who no longer practices. He screens dentists who want to be listed for their post-doctoral training as well as their artistic ability. Anyone he lists will give you a stunning smile.

Don’t be surprised if they recommend a brand other than Lumineers. Most good cosmetic dentists don’t like that brand. That is mostly because this brand requires a dentist to use their lab, which isn’t known for its artistry. That is very likely why you found the images from a different brand to be superior.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Whiten Old Porcelain Veneers

July 31, 2019 by writeradmin

I had porcelain veneers placed fifteen years ago. Mine have a natural stain on them because my dentist said all veneers are that way to make them look natural. This was before they could be made super white. I’d like to whiten them now. Does teeth whitening work or is there a different procedure to whiten them?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Your dentist was mistaken about the color of the porcelain veneers. I’m guessing you went to your family dentist instead of to an expert cosmetic dentist. Dentists are taught in dental school that cosmetic work needs to look “natural”. However, when a dentist studies cosmetic dentistry we know that patients who are coming for a smile makeover don’t want a natural-looking smile but one that is stunning.

If he’d been an expert cosmetic dentist, he’d have made you the beautiful white smile you wanted. Unfortunately, teeth whitening will not do anything to brighten them. The gel used only effects natural tooth structure. The porcelain veneers will remain exactly the same.

The only thing you can do at this point is to have them replaced. However, without using a skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist your results won’t be any better.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

I’m going to recommend you go to the mynewsmile.com website. Dr. Hall, who runs the site, screens every dentist who asks to be listed. They cannot pay to be listed. Instead, they have to provide evidence of their cosmetic training and artistry. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. Nor are smile makeovers taught in dental school. A dentist has to invest their own time in training at post-doctoral centers.

Dr. Hall examines their training and then asks them to provide visual evidence of cases they’ve done to demonstrate their artistry. If a dentist is recommended on that site, they’ll be able to give you a stunning smile you’ll be proud to share with the world.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville, IL Dentist Dr. DAvid Newkirk.