Tag: New Jersey cosmetic dentist

i was bulimic and my teeth are terrible

i was bulimic and my teeth are terrible. i need to know my options for getting my teeth fixed, if they can be fixed. – O.

O. – Although the vomiting with bulimia can cause teeth to wear or chip, they can be beautifully restored. But it takes a skilled and experienced dentist to restore them properly.

Depending on the state of your teeth, a skilled cosmetic dentist will use porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, or a combination of both to give you a beautiful new smile. Your smile will be completely natural looking.

Find a dentist with extensive experience who is also accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. An accredited cosmetic dentist has completed continuing education classes, demanding clinical testing process, an oral test, and submitted documentation of his or her patient cases. You will be thrilled with your new smile. You will be able to find an accredited dentist with whom you can make financial arrangements, if needed, to restore your smile.

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

Can I use store bought bleaching trays as a mouth guard?

I am wondering if I can use store bought bleaching trays as a mouthguard. I am in a softball league this summer and I want something not expensive to protect my teeth. Thanks. Logan

Logan – A store-bought bleaching tray will not sufficiently protect your teeth while you play softball.

Sports equipment stores provide mouth guards that will give you better protection. But the best way to protect your teeth and gums while playing sports is with a customized sports guard from your dentist.

A customized mouth guard is more likely to stay in place if your face comes in contact with the ball, another person, or the ground. Properly-fitted mouth guards can protect your teeth and gums from injury, or lessen the extent of the injury.

The investment in a customized mouth guard can help you avoid expensive dental treatment that may be needed to restore your teeth if you are injured.

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

I need dental work but I don’t have dental insurance

Hello. I am on Medicare and I keep getting turned down for dental insurance. I need a lot of work done on my teeth. I don’t want to lose any teeth so I am going to have to pay out of pocket somehow. How can I find a dentist who will see me even if I don’t have insurance? Thank you so much. – Liz

Liz – There are many dentists who accept forms of payment other than dental insurance.

Dentists often accept major credit cards, some have in-office payment plans, and others offer financing. An easy way to find out is by looking at a dentist’s website and viewing the financial policies or financial arrangements web page.

You will be pleasantly surprised by the number of dentists who accept alternative forms of payment to dental insurance. You will be able to get the dental care you need, even though you don’t have insurance.

This post is sponsored by New Jersey cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Find out why she is considered to be a top New Jersey dentist.

Is the Hydrogen Peroxide I have at home safe to use for teeth whitening?

Hi. I have hydrogen peroxide at home. I am wondering if I can swish it around in my mouth and get my teeth white. - Cydnee

Cydnee - Hydrogen peroxide is safe for whitening teeth. But the liquid hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet will have very little whitening effect on your teeth. Some teeth bleaching gels contain hydrogen peroxide, while others contain carbamide peroxide.

Teeth whitening gel from a dentist contains a stronger amount of the whitening agent. In addition to receiving gel from your dentist, you will receive customized teeth whitening trays. The whitening trays fit your teeth only. They are not one-size-fits-all trays that you can buy in a store, so the whitening gel is pressed against your teeth and penetrates them. You will be instructed by your dentist on how long to leave the whitening gel on your teeth.

Another advantage of getting the whitening gel from your dentist is that teeth whitening is not right for everyone. Depending on the cause of the stains in your teeth, whitening them can make stains more noticeable. In some cases, better and safer results are achieved with porcelain veneers.

Your dentist will recommend the right treatment for your case. If the right treatment is to bleach your teeth, your dentist can monitor the progress and make any needed adjustments.

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

Night guard for new porcelain veneers

Is it common for dentists to recommend a night guard after a patient gets new porcelain veneers? My dentist recommended it for me. I am wondering if this is just a money-making thing or if I really need it. Thanks – Tish

Tish – It is common to recommend a night guard. It will protect teeth from damage due to grinding or clenching during sleep. Many people, at least on occasion, grind or clench their teeth while they sleep, and they are completely unaware of it. When examining your teeth, your dentist may have noticed signs that indicate you may clench or grind your teeth.

Grinding or clenching teeth can damage porcelain veneers. The night guard will protect your investment and help keep your teeth in their correct position.

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

My gums are growing over my teeth

hello. my gums are taking over my teeth. i know i havent done the best job brushing & flossing but why does it look like my gums are growing??? my mom made a couple of dentists appts 4 me but i blew them off really bcuz i’m afraid. but if this is really a big problem maybe i need 2 go to the dentist. what do u think? thanks – mk

MK – It is possible that you have gingivitis, or inflammation of the gum tissue. You didn’t state your age, but hormonal changes, along with poor oral hygiene can cause overgrowth of gum tissue.

You should have a dentist examine your teeth and gums. And you should start practicing good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily.

Hereditary factors, certain medications, and medical conditions can contribute to the overgrowth of gum tissue, but your dentist will review your medical history with you to identify the contributing factors.

Depending on the cause of the overgrowth, an antibiotic may be prescribed, or surgery may be recommended to remove the excess gum tissue. In every case, good oral hygiene should be practiced at home, and you should regularly have your teeth examined and cleaned at your dentist’s office.

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

After 20 years, my veneers are darkening.

I had porcelain veneers placed on my two front teeth around 20 years ago because of white calcium deposits on my teeth. Lately, it seems like my teeth are getting darker and darker. It’s most obviousit is in pictures I see of myself. It’s really starting to bother me. What are my options?

Thank you,
Keith from Salt Lake City

 

Dear Keith,
I wouldn’t know for sure what the problem is with your porcelain veneers and your two front teeth without seeing them, but maybe I can still be of help.

Porcelain is a very hard and stain-resistant material. It is actually more stain resistant than enamel… as long as its glaze is intact. But enamel has a certain capacity for self-repair by drawing minerals from your saliva. Porcelain isn’t able to do that. All of this makes me wonder if the glazed surface of the porcelain has been damaged in some way.

The easiest way to damage porcelain veneers like this is for a dental hygienist to use power polishing equipment on them. That will destroy the glaze in one short appointment. They’ll look bright and clean when you’re through with your appointment, but within a couple of weeks afterward they’ll begin to attract stains and start to become noticeably darker.

If they are darkening because the surface has been damaged, it may be possible to restore the beauty of your smile with sophisticated polishing techniques using diamond grit polishers. An issue like this is beyond the ability of a family dentist. You’ll want an experienced cosmetic dentist like myself to administer this procedure.

Dr. Hurley