2015 | Naperville Cosmetic Dentistry

My dentist says the amalgam fillings are safe

There is a debate going on at our house. Our dentist said that amalgam fillings are safe so my husband thinks the children can have them. I’m of the opinion we shouldn’t put mercury in their body if we can at all help it. What is your stance? Mary Ellen R. – Utah Mary Ellen, You’re going to call me a coward, but I’m going to say you can both […]

Lumineers or crowns?

I want to get a smile makeover, but can’t decide between lumineers or dental crowns? Any tips? Dean K. – Seattle, WA Dean, If you’re talking about a smile makeover, dental crowns are not what you want. While they do give you a new tooth surface, your natural teeth have to be ground down pretty far. You want to be a minimally invasive as possible with your teeth. Dental crowns […]

A single porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Can’t porcelain veneers help slightly crooked teeth?

I have front teeth that are slightly crooked and pretty discolored ( mostly from a pretty serious coffee habit). I was hoping to get porcelain veneers, but my dentist doesn’t think it’s a good idea. He said I would be better off straightening my teeth and then whitening them. However, I have some composite fillings on the front of my teeth. I’m pretty sure they would not actually whiten. That […]

Photo of teeth whitening trays in a blue case; for information on dark stains in teeth from Naperville cosmetic dentist Dr. David Newkirk.

Is teeth whitening safe?

I am considering whitening my teeth or getting porcelain veneers. Teeth whitening seems more conservative, but I wondered how safe it was putting chemicals on your teeth. Allison J. – Little Rock, AR Allison, It’s good you’re asking questions. Professional Teeth Whitening is known to be perfectly safe, especially when you have a dentist monitoring your progress. There are two types of whitening. You can do in office, where it […]

Help! My jaw is shrinking.

I’ve been wearing dentures for a number of years now, but it seems like the older I get, the smaller my jaw gets. I am worried that with my jaw shrinking I won’t be able to wear my dentures anymore. Is there anything I can do? Do I just need to get smaller dentures? Leslie K. – Missouri Leslie, You could get new dentures, but eventually they won’t stay in […]

and image of dentures side by side to a dental implant

Can I get dental implants if I can’t wear dentures any more?

My dentures haven’t fit properly for several months. Now I can’t even keep them in. Is it possible for me to get dental implants? Marie C. – Biloxi, MS Marie, I suspect your dentures no longer fit because you’ve loss too much jawbone. That is a result of having dentures for so long. Dental implants protect your bone structure. If that is the case, it is still possible for you […]

Woman smiling in the dental chair with her dentist behind her

Finding my first dentist. How do I get the best one?

I’m on my own for the first time and am getting a dentist. How do I know how to find the best one? Lisa M. – Arizona Lisa, Finding the best dentist is different for every person. A lot of that depends on what you’re looking for in a dentist. If you’re looking for a general dentist who is friendly and listens to you, then I’d look at some reviews […]

Can’t eat or drink since I got my teeth filled

I got my first fillings. Ever since then I haven’t been able to eat or drink. My mouth feels sensitive to almost everything. My tongue is itcy. Don’t even talk about trying a cold drink. It sends zings like you wouldn’t believe. Is this normal? I’ve asked my dentist if we can do one of those white fillings, but he says they’re not as good. Suzie U. – Philadelphia Suzie, […]

Got Lumineers, but my gums are turning gray

I got a set of Lumineers. I was pretty happy with them, even though they are a little bulkier than I expected. The one thing that has me concerned is that my gums are turning gray. Is something wrong? Jane B. – Connecticutt Jane, You’re very observant, and it’s a good thing you are too. That graying of your gums is an indication of their health. It is likely that […]

Prepless porcelain veneer problem

I got one of those prepless porcelain veneers. I’m happy with how they look, but my lip tends to catch on them. Is there any way to fix this? Gina E. – California Gina, This is a potential problem with no-prep veneers. I suspect you received Lumineers or a similar brand. With traditional porcelain veneers, your teeth are prepared by removing a miniscule amount of your tooth structure about the […]