A single porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Used Whitestrips on My Porcelain Veneers

I’ve had porcelain veneers for quite a few years. They’ve always held up and looked just like the day I had them placed. I switched dentists because of a move and now, suddenly, they’ve lost their shine and started picking up stains. I didn’t know what to do, so I used whitestrips to try to brighten them up. I think that was a mistake, because now my porcelain veneers are […]

Whitening A False Tooth

I have a missing front tooth. The adult tooth never came in when I was younger, so I’ve always had a fake tooth there since my pre-teen years. I’m older now and am thinking about getting a dental implant placed. But, first I’ll want my teeth whiter. When I get my teeth whitened, will it also whiten my false tooth? Nancy B. – Idaho Nancy, It sounds like you have […]

If I had my dentures re-done, would they look better?

I had dentures done. A full set. I had a disaster for a mouth and I’m the first to agree my smile was pretty ugly. I know I should be happy with the dentures, but to me they’re obviously fake looking. My dentist keeps telling me that I should be happy, they’re much nicer than my old teeth. And he’s right. But, each of these teeth look completely uniform and […]

Ilustration of a dental implant crown being placed in three stages

Can Dental Implants Make You Numb?

I think I caught my dentist on a bad day and it has caused some problems. Normally, he’s very patient and gentle, but the day I came in for my dental implant, he came bursting through the door in a rush and obviously upset. He didn’t take time to numb me much before my injection, which normally he does because he knows I get anxious. He just jabbed me. It […]

What Kind of Dentist Does a Toothache Need?

If I have a toothache, that’s not on the tooth, but in the gums, what is the best dentist to go to a regular dentist or a root canal dentist? Morgan Morgan, At this point, the best dentist for you to see would be a general dentist (also known as a family dentist). Your dentist will do some diagnositic tests to determine what is really going on. Sometimes injury or […]

Can a Child See an Adult Dentist to Avoid Mercury?

I’m very careful what I put in my son’s body. He’s in need of a filling. I’ve been taking him to a pediatric dentist, but they want to do a silver filling, which is loaded with mercury. My dentist is a mercury-free. Would it be OK to take my son to an adult dentist in order to avoid mercury? Brenda M. – MIchigan Hi Brenda, We always want the best […]

Help! Lumineers Gave Me Horse Teeth

I got Lumineers. My dentist suggested that brand so I wouldn’t have to grind my teeth down. But, now that they’re done, they’re so bulky that I feel like I have horse teeth. Can this be fixed or should I move to England? Miranda H. – Oregon Miranda, I have some friends from Great Britain who would be simultaneously offended and ammused by your question. Don’t pack your bags for […]

Beautiful brunette smiling with gorgeous white teeth

Can porcelain veneers make a gummy smile pretty?

When I decided to get porcelain veneers, I told my dentist what I was wanting. I was especially concerned with how much of my gums you can see when I smile. When the procedure was done, the veneers themselves looked fine, but my gums were the same, and actually looked a little worse to me because now they look uneven. He says the veneers are beautiful and I’m being one […]

Can I whiten just one tooth?

I have a crown on one tooth. It has started picking up stains. I have had it for quite some time, so that’s not suprise. I don’t want to pay to whiten all my teeth, just the crown, but wondered if you can just whiten one tooth? Monica M. – Atlanta, Georgia Monica, When you whiten teeth, you whiten an entire arch. However, you’re not asking about a natural tooth. […]

I Can’t Keep My Dentures In

I’m feeling a tad desperate. I’v had dentures for many years. But, now, I cannot keep it in. It moves all the time and falls out in the most embarrassing times. Is there an option to help me with this? Alexandra M. – New Jersey Alexandra, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. There is a way to fix it, but it will take some doing. The reason your dentures […]