Uncategorized | Naperville Cosmetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitened to Match Eye Balls?

Is it possible for me to whiten my teeth enough for them to match my eyeballs? I know that is a tall order. It may be unrealistic. I just wanted to see if it was even a possibility before I made it a goal. Patty Dear Patty, That is an interesting question. Technically, we haven’t found a limit to how white teeth can get. There isn’t really a secret to […]

Dentist’s Disastrous Treatment Plan

I went to see my dentist to get a crown and veneer placed and I have some concerns about his suggested treatment plan. First, some background. I have one dental crown and three porcelain veneers. The reason I wanted the crown replaced is two-fold. First, it has never looked that great. Second, now there is a dark line at the gumline. The porcelain veneer I want to be replaced is […]

Dentist Wouldn’t Fix Crown

I had a dental crown on a molar that already had a problem. It had a crack and a filling in it. I’ve learned now that there was always a possibility this tooth would need a root canal treatment, but I was never told that at the time. The crown hurt from the very beginning, so much so that I couldn’t bite down on that side at all. The dentist […]

Fixing Tetracycline Stains without Porcelain Veneers

I have tetracycline stains. I had bonding put on them several years ago, but they’ve gotten kind of old, bumpy, and stained. I can’t afford porcelain veneers. Is there any way whitening will help? Candace Dear Candace, For the benefit of those who do not know what tetracycline stains are, if you take tetracycline before you are 12 years old, it will deposit in the dentin of your teeth. This […]

Before-and-after non-Lumineers photos of a patient's smile; from the Naperville dental office of Dr. David Newkirk.

Can I get Lumineers if I have straight teeth?

I like the shape of my teeth, but my enamel is damaged and can never be white again. When I was a pre-teenager I had a serious medical issue, and my teeth were damaged from the medication I received while I was hospitalized. Can I get Lumineers that look just like my teeth but are white and don’t have marks in the enamel? – Javier Javier – Although Lumineers is […]

Porcelain veneers being held up by a dental tool

If I get porcelain veneers will they last my whole life or should I get braces?

My front teeth are crooked. I also want them to be whiter. Crest strips are a joke on my teeth. So I am thinking about porcelain veneers to give me straighter and whiter teeth. I know they are not cheap so I am wondering, at my age (23) if they will last my whole life, or will have to keep getting new ones? If they won’t last my whole life […]

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 […]

Dentures fell out at birthday party

I was at my granddaughter’s birthday party. We were in the middle of singing happy birthday when my dentures fell out onto the table. I was mortified. This is kind of the last straw for me. I want to get rid of my dentures. What are my options? Hannah S. – Portland, OR Hannah, I’m a little surprised your dentist didn’t give you your options when you first needed to […]

Fast makeover

OK, please don’t think I am shallow, but I want to know what is the fastest way to makeover my teeth that doesn’t cost a lot of money. I have a reunion coming up in three months. I wan’t going to go, but then thought if I can make myself over I might show up. I don’t have much money. I can get a new haircut, buy a new outfit, […]

My tooth is above my veneer

I just spent quite a fortune on my porcelain veneers and on two of my teeth there is a small line where I think my tooth is showing. I’m worried that I will get tooth decay there. My dentist says it is no big deal, but I’m not sure. Plus, I paid so much for these, I think they should have been done perfectly. Samantha H.- Illinois Samantha, I agree […]