Tag: Somerset county NJ AACD dentist

Will porcelain veneers from a dentist on Groupon be any good?

I’ve been considering porcelain veneers for 5 teeth that are slightly twisted and have fluorosis stains. I went to 2 cosmetic dentists for estimates on correcting my teeth. The prices are higher than I expected. If the rates they quoted are common, I won’t be able to afford veneers until 2019. It doesn’t sound like a long time from now, but it is when your teeth are affected. I subscribe to Groupon e-mails and a few days ago I received notification about a dentist who is offering porcelain veneers at a discount. I called the office and found out I would save 40% of what I was quoted at my consultations for the other 2 dentists. One of my best friends told me it’s probably I scam, but it is a real dental office. Maybe the dentist is just advertising so people know about her services. I want to buy the offer before it expires or reaches the max for buyers. Do you know anything about Dr. (name withheld) that would raise a red flag for why I shouldn’t get porcelain veneers from her? Thanks. Gina.

Gina - We are neither familiar with the dentist you named, nor her services. Whether you purchase a Groupon or not, caution is always needed when choosing a dentist for porcelain veneers.

Before You Choose a Dentist for Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are an investment. Before you choose a dentist for them, there are several factors to consider.

  • Any dentist can provide porcelain veneers, but few dentists do them well.
  • Cosmetic dentistry is an art. A true dental artist has:
    • Post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry
    • On-going training in the art
    • An artistic eye to produce beautiful results
    • The right tools, technique, and technology to transform your smile
  • Concealing fluorosis stains with porcelain veneers requires the talent of a highly skilled cosmetic dentist.

What to Expect and What to Ask

Like any beautiful artwork, porcelain veneers are in investment. An artistic cosmetic dentist uses the finest porcelain and the best labs. Your smile will be designed to match your requests, and to fit your personality and facial features.

You will receive mock-up veneers and try-in veneers to ensure you love the way your smile looks. It takes time to produce beautiful results. And you have to be willing to pay for them.

Before you purchase a Groupon for veneers, learn about the dentist’s experience and training.

  • How much post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry has been received?
  • Does the dentist participate in ongoing training?
  • How many porcelain veneers cases has the dentist completed?
  • How many cases of fluorosis stains with veneers has the dentist completed?
  • Does she have actual patient photos to show you?

The best results come from an accredited cosmetic dentist—particularly with fluorosis stains. Although you have to invest more in your smile with an accredited cosmetic dentist, the results will be beautiful and long lasting.

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

 

Can I get a smile like Meghan Markle’s from a top dentist?

I love Meghan Markle’s smile. I think she is gorgeous and I love her smile. I want a top dentist who can give me a smile exactly like Meghan Markle’s. My teeth are in pretty bad shape and I’ve been dying for a smile makeover but I really wasn’t sure how I want my teeth to look. The more I see Meghan in celebrity news, the more I want her smile. I want my teeth the same shape, width, length and color as Meghan’s. What do I need to do to find a top dentist who can get my teeth just right? How will I know if what the dentist claims to be able to do will really happen? I wish I could find out who Meghan’s dentist is and then that would be a safe pick. Where do I start? - Alycia

Alycia - So you want a Meghan Markle smile. It’s popular for people to try to achieve a celebrity smile. Whether you want a smile makeover that makes you look like a celebrity, or just a gorgeous smile that fits you, a top dentist who is also a skilled cosmetic dentist can help. If the current condition of your teeth presents a lot of challenges, we recommend that you schedule a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist.

Do Your Homework First

  • Find two or three accredited cosmetic dentists.
  • Ask friends and family for recommendations, and check online patient reviews.
  • Check each dentist’s website for his or her credentials.
  • Look for a smile gallery on the website to see before-and-after pictures of smile makeovers on each dentist’s patients.
  • Schedule a consultation with each top dentist.

How Will a Top Dentist Handle Your Request for a Smile Like Meghan Markle’s?

There aren’t many accredited cosmetic dentists in the country, but they are certainly top dentists and highly skilled artists. Your dentist will let you know what to expect when using cosmetic dentistry to imitate Meghan Markle’s teeth.

If an exact match is possible

A smile is a unique expression of a person. There are a lot of factors that will affect how the final results will look. A top dentist can give you a stunning smile, but whether or not it will look exactly like Meghan’s depends on a lot of things. Some of them include:

  • Your jawbone structure
  • Your face shape
  • Your gumline
  • The condition of your teeth
  • Your lips

The appearance of a smile is much more than the shape and color of your teeth.

What it will take

You mentioned that your teeth are in bad shape, but you didn’t provide any specifics.

  • Do you need orthodontic treatment?
  • Do you have any missing teeth that need to be replaced?
  • Are your teeth uneven?
  • Do any of your teeth need to be restored with porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns?

Of course, professional teeth whitening will give any smile a brilliant lift. A top dentist will let you know what it will take to give you a smile that’s just as amazing as Meghan Markle’s. A combination of different cosmetic dental treatments might be needed to get the look you want.

How you will look

A top dentist who has experience in cosmetic dentistry will be able to tell you and show you how your smile will look when it’s complete. If you need porcelain veneers to achieve the smile makeover, you’ll be able to try on temporary veneers so you know exactly what to expect.

Based on your personality and facial features, your accredited cosmetic dentist will let you know if the smile makeover you’re requesting will enhance your appearance or detract from it.

Be Specific and Realistic

Write down, or record in your mobile device, exactly what it is about Meghan’s smile that you love. Let your dentist know what you want people to see when you smile.

A top cosmetic dentist can give you celebrity smile, but do you really want it to look exactly like Meghan Markle’s smile? Your answer might still be Yes!, but listen closely to your dentist to understand how closely your smile makeover can mimic Meghan’s smile, and how Meghan’s smile will look on you. Understand what the limitations are based on your facial features, your natural teeth, and the cosmetic treatment you select.

Your Celebrity Smile Might Look Better Than Meghan’s

Keep in mind that you can have a beautiful smile that is uniquely yours. Who knows, if you find the right cosmetic dentist, it might even look better than Meghan’s.

This post is sponsored by Chatham, NJ cosmetic dentist and NJ Monthly Magazine top dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Check out her smile gallery.

Need porcelain veneers for tetracycline and fluorosis but insurance won’t cover it

My teeth are really in bad shape. I only smile around my family and close friends. I am 33 yrs old and this is really affecting my socially. I saw a cosmetic dentist last June and she told me that I have fluorosis AND tetracycline stains in my teeth. They can’t be bleached white. The only thing that will help is porcelain veneers. I finally found a solution so I called my dental insurance and spoke with a rep who said my dental insurance won’t cover it. I appealed to the senior rep and the supervisor but the insurance company won’t budge. I don’t expect them to pay for everything but they are contributing nothing toward veneers and my teeth look horrible. So it is up to me to find thousands of dollars to get my smile fixed. Do you know of any insurance companies that will provide benefits for veneers? - Niveah

Niveah - Dr. Hurley would have to examine your teeth to let you know your options. But if your teeth are stained from both tetracycline and fluorosis it is likely that you do need porcelain veneers.

Covering both types of stains with veneers will require significant skill and experiences from a highly trained cosmetic dentist. Many dentists make the attempt to cover the stains, but the stains still show through the veneers. Others make the veneers too thick, or the veneers look opaque and pasty—not like natural teeth that have translucence.

Dental insurance companies provide benefits for preventive care and restorative treatment, but not for cosmetic treatment, such as porcelain veneers. We strongly suggest that you schedule consultations with two or three accredited cosmetic dentists to discuss your options. Find out how each dentist uses veneers to conceal your stains and produce natural-looking results.

Choose dentists who offer financing or payment plans. Speak with the billing assistant at each office to help learn about financial arrangements that will make porcelain veneers affordable for you. Don’t give up. You will be able to get your smile transformed.

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

How do I find the top dentist for a celebrity smile?

How do I find the top dentist to help me determine if I need crowns or veneers? My dentist isn’t a cosmetic dentist but she suggested that I just get braces for my teeth. My teeth are twisted inward. Braces might be an option but I am not really interested in them. The other thing is that my teeth are smaller than normal adult teeth. I am 39 yrs old so there is no chance that the situation will improve. I don’t want just straight teeth. I want celebrity teeth. I am not the most attractive woman so I want my teeth to make up for my appearance. My dentist is trying to refer me to a colleague of hers who is a cosmetic dentist and graduated dental school with her, but I am worried that this is just the buddy system. The colleague might be a good dentist but I need some definite markers to help me choose the top dentist for the work that needs to be done to get my smile where I want it. Thanks much. Symone T.

Symone – Your concerns are valid. Although many dentists claim to be cosmetic dentists, not all of them have the training, skill, or artistic talent to produce the celebrity smile you want. In fact, very few dentists can produce that kind of smile. So you will have to do a little work to find the top dentist for your case.

In your search for the top dentist for your smile makeover, look for a cosmetic dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, or who has high credentials in another association for aesthetic dentistry. Have a few consultations with cosmetic dentists. Find out how long each dentist has been practicing cosmetic dentistry, and ask to see before-and-after photos of cases similar to yours.

Braces are one solution to aligning your teeth. A combination of braces and gum contouring may produce the results you want. But so can porcelain veneers. Veneers will not only perfectly align your teeth, but they will also perfectly shape them. Porcelain crowns require more aggressive preparation of your natural teeth, so they are not the preferred option.

Ask each dentist about the pros and cons of your treatment options. Compare each cosmetic dentist’s work, experience, and credentials. And then you can make an informed decision about the top dentist for the celebrity smile you want.

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

Why is my crown still sensitive to hot and cold?

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.

 

How can I flick off my temporary veneers that were bonded on?

I am sick of trying to tell my dentist that my veneers aren’t right. This is the 5th set of temporaries I’ve had and he can’t get it right. We had a heated discussion on my last visit and I told him to worry about seeing me again because the veneers are a mess. That was kind of silly of me because the veneers need to come off. I want to know if you can tell me how I can flick of these temporaries that were bonded on? Thanks. Joél M.

Joél – We strongly recommend that you not try to take off your temporary veneers. Your frustration in trying to get the smile you want with porcelain veneers is understandable, but don’t take matters into your own hands.

Self-attempts to remove the veneers can result in damage to your tooth enamel or to a tooth itself. Leave the job to a skilled cosmetic dentist, because he or she has the tools and knows the technique required to remove the mock-up veneers. But don’t just visit any dentist to have the veneers removed. Take the time to do some research and find a highly trained, accredited if possible, cosmetic dentist.

A cosmetic dentist has artistic inclination and personally designs smiles for each patient. You can ask friends for recommendations or search online for an accredited cosmetic dentist, or a dentist who is a long-time member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Schedule a few consultations, ask each dentist about his or her training and credentials in cosmetic dentistry, and ask to see before-and-after pictures of porcelain veneers cases fully completed by the dentist.

Taking the time to find the right dentist for you will help you get the temporary veneers comfortably and properly removed, and give you the beautiful smile you want with porcelain veneers.

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

 

Porcelain crowns or veneers?

How do you know if porcelain crowns or porcelain veneers will be recommended to restore your teeth? The answer depends on the condition of your teeth, the goals for your smile, your individual case, and the cosmetic dentist you choose.

  • Condition of your teeth – Are your teeth healthy, free from decay, and not worn down? Porcelain veneers cover only the front of your teeth and are bonded to healthy teeth. Teeth that are cracked, decayed, or badly down need to be protected with porcelain crowns.
  • Goals for your smile – Do you want a smile makeover, or to change the shape, size, alignment, or color of your teeth? These are things that porcelain veneers can accomplish for healthy teeth. They cover only the front of your teeth and require minimal tooth preparation. To accomplish these goals with porcelain crowns requires significant tooth reduction, because a crown covers the entire tooth from the gumline to the biting surface.
  • Your cosmetic dentist – After examining and taking diagnostic studies of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist may decide that a particular treatment will work best to restore your smile. The final decision is yours, though.
  • Your case – Every patient case is different. Porcelain veneers may work well for you, but porcelain crowns may be the preferred treatment for someone else. Budget may be a concern for some patients, and porcelain crowns are less expensive than porcelain veneers.

Be certain to find an experienced cosmetic dentist who takes the time to evaluate your case and anticipate the results you will get—in both function and beauty—depending on which treatment is used. You may consider getting more than one opinion. Be prepared to ask questions, take notes, and compare your options before deciding on a provider for your treatment.

Find an accredited cosmetic dentist. He or she has a proven history of creating beautiful smiles, even for difficult cases.

This post is sponsored by award-winning NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Should a get a second opinion from a pediatric dentist?

My son’s permanent bottom teeth are growing in with chips in them. His dentist says this is normal, but I am concerned that he is going to have problems with the teeth in his teen years. Should I get a second opinion from another pediatric dentist? - Marcie

Marcie - We would need to examine your son’s teeth to determine if there is a problem. But what you describe sounds like normal tooth development. Ridges or bumps on the incisal, or biting, edges of teeth are referred to as mamelons. They are the result of three groups of cells that unite to form the incisal edge of a tooth.

The size and depth of mamelons vary by the individual. It is common to see them as teeth erupt. Some parents are concerned when they see teeth erupt with uneven edges, but as children grow into adulthood, the ridges slowly wear off. In some cases, the mamelons wear off unevenly, but a cosmetic dentist can contour the teeth to make them even.

You can ask your son’s dentist for more information. And if you want reassurance that the teeth are erupting normally, you can always seek a second opinion.

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

My gum line is receding above my porcelain veneers

I’ve had porcelain veneers for 7 years. They are the original veneers. My gum line is receding above the veneers but they also are receding above other teeth too. I think some of it is just my aging. I will be 52 years old in December. My real concern is the veneers because that is what people see. Is this going to require me to get new veneers? Thanks – Liz

Liz – You should visit an experienced cosmetic dentist for an examination and consultation. Gum recession is a natural part of aging, even if you practice excellent oral hygiene.

There are several ways that the issue is addressed by cosmetic dentists. The options for you will depend on your particular case. Gum grafting can be done, the veneers can be replaced, and at times, dental bonding is used to fill in the open area. Dental bonding stains with time though, and will need to be periodically refreshed. When used at the margin of a veneer and gumline, dental bonding can sometimes promote plaque accumulation and inflammation.

The treatment options you will receive will depend on the cosmetic dentist you choose and the particulars of your case. An examination will be required to find out what will work best for you. We recommend that you visit an accredited cosmetic dentist for optimal results.

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