Here is a guest blog from the well known cosmetic dentist Dr. Bruce Harley, located in the San Francisco CA are.  Dr. Harley and I have had similiar training, and he is respected leader in cosmetic dentistry.  He answers the following questions:

“1. What can I do to fix a badly chipped front tooth?

There are two options for chipped teeth.  The first is composite bonding.   This method utilizes tooth colored resins that are shaped and bonded to the tooth.  It is fast (one visit), cost effective, and relatively easy.  The bonding can last up to 7-10 years, but typically can break, discolor, or wear within a few years.

The second option is to consider porcelain veneering of the tooth.  This method restores the tooth with a thin shell of porcelain that is made to fit precisely to the tooth.  It is beautiful and durable, and is resistant to stain and breakage.  The process takes two visits, and is generally more expensive than bonding.  It lasts two to three times as long as bonding.

What is the end result?

Both look beautiful initially, but porcelain will outlast bonding.

2. How do you get rid of spaces between teeth?

Traditional wire braces/orthodontics has been the common way to close spaces.  For adults today, Invisalign orthodontics using clear plastic removable trays is much faster, and easier for adults to use than traditional braces.  For patients that don’t want orthodontics, porcelain veneers and bonding can close spaces as well.  The artistic abilities of the dentist are critical for beautiful results.  Make sure to ask for pictures of cases the dentist has completed and inquire how often they do the procedure.

3. Why can’t smokers undergo certain cosmetic dentistry procedures?

Actually, smokers can have any of the known cosmetic dental procedures.  The risk is that the smoking will stain the teeth.  With veneers, it’s no problem, and the stain will be 90% less than on a natural tooth.  If it’s bleaching or bonding that’s considered, then the whitening effect will not last as long with smokers.

4. What is a veneer?

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to a tooth with a special resin.  The veneer can be used to restore a broken tooth, a deformed tooth, a discolored tooth, close gaps between teeth, straighten crooked teeth, and change the size of teeth.  It can last decades, and feels like a natural tooth. It takes two visits to accomplish.

5. Are veneers my only option if I want a smile makeover?

Veneers are only one option for smile makeovers.  Many cases can be completed with a combination of cosmetic dental procedures such as bleaching and bonding.  It’s also noteworthy to mention that many smile makeovers can be accomplished with just a few veneers.  Every case is unique! For many patients, veneers can be placed without the need to grind the natural teeth.  It’s called “prepless” veneering, and is a wonderfully conservative option.”

About the Author

Dr. Bruce Harley, DDS has over 23 years of experience specializing in cosmetic dentistry for men and women in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information seehttp://www.pccd.net.

Bruce and I hope to do future blogs about cosmetic dentistry and dental implants!

• Cost & Value of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, and of Smiling
• Losing Teeth Emotional Aspect of Dentures, Dental Implants, and Missing Teeth
• Should I save My Teeth? Dental Implants, Bone Loss, and Smiles
• Posterior Bite Collapse–Spaces Open Up in Smile from Insufficent Support from Back Teeth
• IV Dental Sedation & Dental Implants–Man from Elmhurst