2014 | Naperville Cosmetic Dentistry

My pediatric dentist says children can’t have white fillings

My nine year old needs a filling. I don’t want any mercury in his system and therefore want a white filling. His pediatric dentist, however, says that children can’t have those. I find that hard to believe. Thoughts? Maddie J. – Washington Maddie, You’re right. Children can have white fillings. What your pediatric dentist was probably trying to convey, is that it is difficult for children to sit still during […]

Don’t want to grind my teeth down for veneers

I’m getting a smile makeover. My dentist wants me to get Lumineers so as not to have my teeth ground down, but I have heard there are a lot of complaints about Lumineers. Is there a way to get a good brand of porcelain veneer without grinding down my teeth? Heather M. – Ft. Worth, TX Heather, I’m glad to hear that you’re concerned about Lumineers. Too many people just […]

I hate, hate, hate my porcelain veneers

I spent more money than I can handle typing to get porcelain veneers, but they are almost worse than my normal teeth. I am so disappointed. I thought these were supposed to make your teeth gorgeous? I told my dentist I wasn’t happy and he says they’re beautiful. What do I do? Gina E. – Baltimore Gina, Did your dentist let you see the veneers before he bonded them onto […]

Can only afford veneers on my top teeth

I want to get porcelain veneers, but my dentist wants me to get them on every tooth. I just can’t afford that. Is it completely necessary? Can I just get the top teeth? Marnita – South Dakota Marnita, I’m a little concerned by what you’re saying. Do you mean your dentist wants you to put a veneer on every tooth? Top and bottom? Even your back teeth? That is a […]

My teeth look like they belong in a teaching skeleton

I just got dentures. I am not happy. They look like those kind of fake teeth you see on skeletons in a classroom. I heard they could be uncomfortable, but I thought they’d at least look like real teeth. Is there any way to make them look better? Amelia L. – Idaho Amelia, The problem isn’t with the dentures. The problem is with your dentist. Though dentures aren’t as ideal […]

Why should my dentist care if I smoke?

I’m trying to get dental implants, but my dentist won’t place them if I’m still smoking. I say it’s none of his business if I smoke. I’m paying him, he should place the implants. Stanley W. – Arkansas Stanley, I understand your line of thinking. Your dentist is a contractor. You’ve hired him to place dental implants. He should do the job and let you worry about the statistics. Look […]

Having problems with my dentist

I’m getting porcelain veneers. I have in mind what I want, but my dentist thinks I should do it differently. I’m not asking for anything outlandish, I just know what type of smile I want. He’s thinks it won’t work for my “age”. Outside of finding that pretty insulting, I’m paying a buttload of money for this makeover, shouldn’t it be what I wanted? Sara S. – Louisiana Sara, You’re […]

Dentist says amalgam fillings are better

I need to get a couple of fillings. I wanted to get white fillings, but my dentist says the old amalgam ones are better. I just didn’t want a bunch of silver in my mouth. Are the old ones really better? Lyric A. – Pittsburgh Lyric, It is more likely that your dentist is just unfamiliar with the procedure to place white (composite) fillings. Until very recently, dental schools didn’t […]

Must I get Lumineers on bottom teeth?

I’m getting Lumineers on my upper teeth. My dentist insists I get them on my bottom teeth, because their color is so stained. But I just can’t afford to get them on the top and bottom. I am mostly concerned about the upper teeth. Is there no way to get lumineers without doing the lower ones too? Elijah – Hawaii Eiljah, Yes, there is a very easy way to get […]

Disappointed with my veneers

I am having a hard time not being disappointed with my porcelain veneers. The veneers themselves look nice, but my natural teeth, which still show, don’t match them. That makes it obvious I had work done on my teeth. Can anything be done about this? Jane H. – South Dakota Jane, There is nothing worse than spending a small fortune on a smile makeover, only to have it be disappointing. […]