Dental Bonding Archives - Allyson K Hurley, DDS

November 17, 2017 by

Will a Snap On Smile make my teeth look longer? They are really, really short. I am so is self-conscious about them the older I get. I just graduated from Rutgers with my MBA and I don’t want my teeth to prevent me on getting the kind of job I want. On my father’s side of the family, at least 4 people have short teeth, so it must be genetic. If a Snap-On Smile will work, I would like to order 2 of them so I can wear it every day. Thanks. Amber

Amber,

A Snap-On Smile fits over your natural teeth, and it can make them look longer, but the results won’t look natural. The appliance can also make your teeth look bulky. It’s not meant to be worn every day, so it wear out in a few months and need to be replaced. Replacing a Snap-On Smile every four months or so can really get expensive.

A cosmetic dentist can lengthen your teeth. Your teeth will need to be examined first though.

Alternatives to a Snap-On Smile for Short Teeth

An experienced cosmetic will recommend treatment options.

If you have excessive gum tissue, it can be removed, which will make her teeth look long.
Porcelain veneers can be used to lengthen your teeth. The ultra-thin veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth.
Direct dental bonding can be applied to your teeth. The bonding will be shaped, hardened, and polished. This should only be done by an expert cosmetic dentist.

You should find an accredited cosmetic dentist to get beautiful, natural-looking results.

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

March 28, 2017 by

I went through a lot of trouble to find a top dentist for a smile makeover. So how in the world she ended up chipping one of my teeth I will never know. I had 3 old, old crowns that needed to be replaced and for some reason the dentist was having trouble getting one of the crowns off. The first 2 came off without a hitch. After 20 minutes of trying to get the other one off I felt a big yank and felt a metal tool hit one of my left incisors. The dentist said, “Uh oh.” Uh oh? I asked her what happened and she told me that one my teeth was a little chipped. She let me look at it in a mirror and she said she would touch it up right away with dental bonding. She did a decent job but I can see where she did the touch-up. I now have temporary crowns on the 3 teeth I went there for and I am afraid to see what the new ones will look like if she couldn’t get the bonding right. With the work already in progress, how can I switch dentists in the middle of treatment? What can I do about a top dentist who doesn’t seem to know what she is doing? Tad

Tad – Although any dentist can claim to be a top dentist, it doesn’t mean that he or she has the skill, training, and experience needed to give you a smile that looks great. It is also possible for any dentist to make a mistake.

A mistake doesn’t necessarily mean that your dentist doesn’t know what she is doing. But if you can look at your tooth in a mirror and see where the bonding meets your tooth, your dentist might not be experienced or talented in every aspect of cosmetic dentistry. It takes skill to manipulate dental bonding to match the color and translucence of your natural teeth.

As a suggestion, you can receive a second opinion from a skilled cosmetic dentist. He or she can examine the bonding on your chipped tooth and improve or replace it.

It sounds as if your dental crowns have been ordered already, so you might want to give your dentist a chance to complete the work. Otherwise, it might take some time and negotiation, along with additional expense to cancel the placement of crowns that have already been ordered from the lab. If the dental crown work is faulty, your new dentist might be able to help you negotiate a reasonable solution.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

July 26, 2016 by

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.

January 17, 2016 by

I got a crown on a bottom left molar in April 2015, so soon it will be a year since I’ve had it. I didn’t have any problems with it for the first 2 months but after that it started feeling sensitive. Any time I eat or drink something hot or cold I get a tingling sensation in my mouth. If something is really cold it actually hurts. Also I have started to notice that if I have to chew something that puts a lot of pressure on it, it hurts. I have mentioned this to my dentist a couple of times and he did x-rays at first. He has adjusted it both times. It is still tingly, but it doesn’t seem that my dentist is really trying to figure out what is going on. Does anything I’ve described give clues about what might be happening with my teeth? Scott

Scott – At times, when a crown is first placed, the tooth nerve is irritated and can be sensitive for a few weeks. Longer periods of sensitivity indicate that there is another issue causing irritation. There are several possibilities.

A Sensitive Dental Crown – Possible Causes

One possibility is that you are grinding your teeth while you sleep. Your dentist can examine your teeth and look for signs of wear. A customized night guard can be made for you to wear at night. The night guard will cushion the effects of teeth grinding.

It is possible that there is a problem with your natural tooth beneath the crown. The crown can be removed to check the condition of the tooth. A root canal treatment may be needed.

Another less common factor is that some of the cement from the bonding material was left around the crown. It can cause inflammation, irritation, and sensitivity.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist for a thorough examination of your crown and tooth. If he or she is not able to find the cause of the sensitivity, consider getting a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic dentist. Properly trained cosmetic dentists are skilled in the placement of dental crowns. He or she will work to resolve the issue with the sensitivity in your crown.

This post is sponsored by a NJ Monthly Magazine Top Dentist—Dr. Allyson Hurley. She is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

July 15, 2015 by

I thought I was getting my teeth contoured. The dentist I saw shaved my top left front tooth and now it is too short. She said that she can lengthen it with bonding but I don’t trust her. What are my options? Thanks. Kameel

Kameel – We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist. A tooth that is too short can be lengthened and restored with dental bonding or a porcelain veneer.

The cosmetic dentist will examine your tooth and determine which options are best for restoring it. A skilled dentist can manipulate composite bonding to match the color and translucency of your natural teeth. Bonding can last for years, but will eventually stain or wear and need to be replaced.

A porcelain veneer covers the entire front of your tooth. It can require light preparation of the tooth to prevent it from extending beyond the adjacent teeth or looking bulky. Veneers are very durable and can last for many years.

You can select a few cosmetic dentists with whom you can schedule consultations, discuss your options, and compare the recommendations.

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

March 17, 2015 by

My dental bonding is getting dark. I am wondering of Zoom will lighten it up a little. I can’t get new bonding right now. Thanks Angela

Angela,

Dental bonding can’t be whitened with Zoom® or any other teeth whitening treatment. It will whiten your natural teeth and make the darker bonding even more noticeable.

Depending on the age of your bonding and cause of the discoloration of the bonding, it can be polished to look better. An expert cosmetic dentist can examine your bonding and determine if it can be polished to make it look lighter and brighter.

Otherwise, you may need new bonding. If replacing new bonding is not currently within your budget, it’s best to wait until you can afford to have an expert cosmetic dentist replace it. You’ll have beautiful results that will be worth the wait.

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

April 16, 2013 by

Hi. I am a mountain bike rider and 2 weeks ago I hit a large bump that knocked me off the bike and I landed face first. My left front tooth and the one behind it are chipped. The chips are not large, but you can definitely see them when I smile. I don’t have money for Lumineers. What else can be done? – Rick from Montclair

Rick – Your teeth can likely be restored with dental bonding. Your teeth will be lightly etched to prepare them for the bonding. The bonding will be applied, shaped, hardened, and then further shaped and polished.

You should not need Lumineers® to correct the chips in your teeth. Be sure to have an experienced cosmetic dentist do the bonding work. The result will blend in so perfectly with your natural teeth that you won’t be able to tell that they were damaged.

This post is sponsored by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

March 6, 2012 by

I recently had some dental bonding done to close a small gap in my front teeth, but I’m not happy with the results. It doesn’t look nearly as natural as I expected. Can I get it reversed?

Debbie- Chicago

Debbie,

Yes, dental bonding can be reversed fairly simply. There is a special sandpaper that most dentists should have on hand, that is used to file the bonding off. The sandpaper will take it right down to the original enamel.

Your dental bonding can be done to look both beautiful and natural, however to get that kind of result you will need to go to an expert cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is an unregulated field. Any general dentist can learn how to do a procedure or two and call themselves a cosmetic dentist. You want someone who has real artistry. Dental bonding has to be done free hand, so that takes an even greater skill. I would suggest after getting it sanded, to find one of the mynewsmile.com recommended dentists from Chicago and get the new bonding done by them. These dentists are screened for their credentials and artistry, so you’ll be safe with them.

This blog is sponsored by New Jersey Cosmetic dentist Dr. Hurley.

June 23, 2011 by

I need some dental bonding done of my front tooth. I tripped and chipped the tooth on some cement. When I went to my dentist for a consultation, he did a mock up for me. I was so glad I did that before agreeing to the procedure. The bonding looked quite dull and yellow compared to my natural tooth structure. He said he would have to order a lighter shade of bonding material to get what I am wanting. I think he said the lightest he has is B1. I’m a little uncomfortable with him doing the procedure because even if he had matched the right shade, it would not address how completely dull and lifeless the bonding looked. The change in opacity made it look like he’d just glued something on the mock tooth. I wonder if I am being unreasonable with my expectations, but I’d like to have bonding done that looks like my tooth, which was quite beautiful before my fall.

Bella T. – St. Martin

Bella,

You are not being unreasonable at all! If your dentist cannot match the natural appearance of your tooth than he is probably not a qualified cosmetic dentist. There is not a recognized cosmetic dentistry specialty. As a result, any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. However, to truly be qualified as a cosmetic dentist it takes a lot of additional training. I tend to think of general dentists as mechanics. They can fix the problem. Qualified cosmetic dentists are artists. They will make your smile look astonishingly beautiful.

Based on what you have said, I think your dentist falls closer to the mechanic side of things. He can fix the chip, but it will not be beautiful. Here are some things to be aware of with your dental bonding. As you consult with another dentist, you can get an idea if he knows what he’s doing. The fact that the lightest shade he could get to was a B1 tells me he doesn’t do a lot of cosmetic work. Additionally, it is much more than just picking the right shade to get a tooth to look natural. I loved reading your concerns because you instinctively knew what your dentist didn’t.

In addition to having the right shade, your dentist will need various translucencies and surface gloss. He will use an inner body shade of composite, for which he will use a strong hybrid composite that will have some opacity to it. After that there are lighter and lighter shades built into the composite as you get near the incisal edge, with a translucent area right on the incisal edge. After all that is done, he will add a microfill that will have a high surface luster in order to mimic the appearance of enamel. A dentist who does that will give you bonding that looks as beautiful as your own tooth. As you can see anyone who just picks a shade and goes does not know what they are doing.

Another procedure you might be interested in is porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by New Jersey Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

May 9, 2011 by

I had some bonding done on my two front teeth about three years ago. They are now chipped and my dentist wants to do two crowns instead. I don’t want that much of my teeth ground away. Should I just get them re-bonded?

Lissel D. in Kansas

Dear Lissel,

Though I haven’t seen your case, I would not consider crowns the next best step if all that is wrong with them is the chipping. Porcelain crowns seem like an aggressive move. You could have them re-bonded, but seeing as they’re already chipping I’m not sure that is a great option for you. My suggestion would be porcelain veneers. There is very little tooth preparation needed, just some mild shaving. You cannot tell the difference in appearance between a shaved and unshaved tooth. In addition, veneers are very strong and durable. Hope this helps your decision.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Allyson Hurley.