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Two Problem Teeth: One Deformed & One Missing

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I have a congenitally missing lateral incisor and a tooth right next to where it should be that is deformed. I’ve finally been able to afford braces to open up the space where the missing tooth should go. I have a dental flipper there for now while I decide on a permanent replacement. I’m hoping to fix both problem teeth at once. Do you have some recommendations for me?

Mandy

Dear Mandy.

dental implant next to natrual teeth

I’m glad you wrote. When it comes to replacing a tooth, the top of the line replacement is a dental implant. This puts a prosthetic tooth root and then a dental crown. It’s the closest thing to having a healthy natural tooth. You’ll want to go to a dentist who has extensive training in both dental implants as well as cosmetic dentistry

First, dental implants are an advanced procedure and not one typically taught extensively, if at all, in most dental schools. A dentist will need to invest in post-doctoral training to know how to do them well. Because you are talking about a front tooth, that will be visible when you smile, you also want them to have additional training in cosmetic dentistry as well. It’s challenging enough to make a front tooth blend beautifully and naturally, but the dentist will also have to match it to an adjacent tooth that will have a completely different procedure done.

Which brings me to the deformed tooth. I haven’t seen an image of the specific tooth so I can just give general solutions here. In most cases, a porcelain veneer will be the best solution for a deformed tooth. One exception will be if it is extremely tiny. In that case, you may want a porcelain crown instead. The cosmetic dentist you choose will be able to give you a specific solution.

Finding a Dentist with the Right Expertise

You need a tall order in a dentist with advanced training in both cosmetic work and dental implants. I’m going to recommend you start with the cosmetic dentist and then check their dental implant training. Here’s how to do that. Go to the mynewsmile.com website and see who they recommend in your area for cosmetic work. This website screens dentists who want to be listed for both their training and their artistry. They cannot just pay to be listed.

Make a list of dentists they recommend. Then, go to their websites and look at the dentist’s bio. You’ll want to see that they’ve had training in dental implants from one of the following institutions:

  • The Dawson Academy
  • Pankey Institute
  • The Seattle Center for Advanced Dental Study
  • The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Study

If mynewmsile.com recommends them and they’ve studied at one of these schools you will be in safe hands for both procedures.

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

Finding the Best Dentist After Relocation

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I’ve been relocated to a different state for my job. It will be a good move for us but there are so many things I have to start over. New doctor, new dentist, new internet…Can’t forget wifi. Are there some tips to finding out who is one of the bests dentists in an area?

Brooke

Dear Brooke,

A woman in a dental chair giving a thumbs up.

Moves are stressful! It’s fantastic that you’re already looking into your oral healthcare. Too many people neglect that in a move then end up with a dental emergency. It would be nice if there were some objective way to know who the best dentist is in a particular area. While there is not, I can give you some pointers to help you find a dentist who’ll be right for you.

The first thing to think about is what type of services you want. Do you just need bread and butter dentistry with cleanings, checkups, and the occasional filling? Do you have complicated neuromuscular issues, like TMJ? Are you missing teeth and need an advanced procedure such as dental implants? Do you prefer a dentist who offers great cosmetic services?

Once you’ve answered these questions you have a great starting point. Let’s say you just need a bread and butter dentist. The first thing I’d do is an internet search for dentists in your area. From there, look at their website. Is it professional looking? Do they offer the right services? Read up on the dentist. He or she should have a bio of sorts on their webpage. If you’re getting a good feeling about what you’ve seen so far the next step is to check their reviews.

Most people only write reviews if they’ve had really great or really awful experiences. Either one will give you a decent idea of what type of service and skill you can expect from the dentist.

Finding the Best Cosmetic Dentist

But what if you want cosmetic services? A nice decent family dentist likely won’t be suitable. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. They’re just general dentists who offer those procedures. While things like teeth whitening don’t require too much specialized knowledge, if you’re looking for a total smile makeover like you’d get with porcelain veneers you need someone with expertise.

Cosmetic work is an art. So be certain to check out their smile gallery to see what kind of results they get. However, the simplest way to find a great cosmetic dentist is to go to the mynewsmile.com website. They have a link where you can put in your zip-code and how far you’re willing to travel. They’ll recommend the best cosmetic dentists within that radius.

Best of luck to you in your move.
This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. David Newkirk.