July 2016 - Allyson K Hurley, DDS

Keeping Our Patients Safe

Dear Friends:
I am excited to announce that we are accepting new patients again. To insure that our patients and staff stay safe myself and the full staff have received the Covid-19 vaccination . We would like to ease your concerns about coming to the office.

Click here for our new office safety protocol

I have a gap between my two front teeth that I want closed without having to wear braces. I am trying to decide on whether to get bonding or porcelain veneers to close the gap. I already know that the bonding is cheaper but if it’s not going to hold up and I will have to keep replacing it, I’d rather spend more money on veneers. Will the bonding last or should I go ahead and the veneers? thanks Justyn

Justyn,

Dental bonding, if applied by a cosmetic dentist, will work beautifully to close a small gap. But the composite does have its limitations. In time it will discolor, and it can be more fragile that porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are just as durable as tooth enamel.

Dental composite will pick up stains over time, in contrast with porcelain veneers, which will not stain. Over time dental bonding will also wear away and need to be replaced. If you take good care of porcelain veneers, they can last 15 to 20 years or longer.

Keep in mind that dental bonding does not work well with a large gap. It can make your teeth look disproportionately large. If you have a large gap, or if you want a longer-lasting solution, porcelain veneers are the best option. Porcelain veneers are much stronger than the bonding material. They will last for years without staining or chipping.

Have a consultation with one or two dentists who are trained and experienced in cosmetic dentistry. Each dentist will discuss the pros and cons of your options. Whether you receive dental bonding or porcelain veneers, a cosmetic dentist has the artistic inclination required to close the gap in way that will make it look like it never existed.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ top cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

For the past 17 years since I gave birth to my teenage son I’ve struggled with an eating disorder. Thanks to an understanding psychiatrist and prescription medication I am finally managing it instead of letting it control me. Due to the disorder for years I have vomited every day throughout the day. The result is teeth that have deteriorated and are crumbling away. I now need dentures Just when I’m trying to get my self esteem back I am finding it difficult to smile, even though I am happier than ever now.

My teeth look horrible. I’ve lost 8 or 9 teeth already and my dentist says that it will be difficult or impossible to save about 9 more. I don’t think I’ll have any teeth left. Money is a problem. The bills from trying to recover from the disorder are stacked up. We have a young son at home that I must home school, so work is not much of an option for me. I am 42 years old now and am fighting depression with the thought of needing dentures. I think it is three times in the past two weeks that I heard conversations about false teeth. Better than no teeth at all but who really wants false teeth.

I have read enough to know that dental implants, not dentures, are the best way to replace my teeth but I could never afford them. Am I out of options? – Name withheld

Dear anonymous reader,

If you have a very limited budget, dentures may be your only option. The good news is that if you receive dentures, a cosmetic dentist can give you a smile with dentures that reflects your personality and that looks natural—instead of looking like false teeth as you mentioned.

If you have your natural lower teeth, it’s best for the dentist to save as many of them as possible. Keeping your lower teeth will help delay the jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse that occur when all of your teeth are missing, including if you have dentures.

An upper denture is kept in place by suction, so it is more stable than a lower denture. A lower denture can slip or fall out easier. Your lower natural teeth are likely to last longer if they are chewing against an upper denture.

A caring cosmetic dentist will discuss your options with you. Many cosmetic dentists offer a complimentary consultation. Meet with a few of them to find one that you’re comfortable with. You’ll find some comfort in knowing that you can get a natural-looking new smile, even if it is with dentures.

We suggest that you find two or three experienced cosmetic dentists and schedule a consultation with each of them. Ask questions about dentures and dental implants, and how treatment can be made affordable for you.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Bedminster is located in Somerset County, North Jersey.

Archives for July 2016