Below are frequently asked questions about Restorative / Filling:

My crown in the front doesn't match my teeth -- it looks fake. What can be done?

This is the hardest thing to do in dentistry - match a single front tooth. Look for an excellent cosmetic dentist who works with a "master ceramist" in his or her office. Sometimes it is necessary to do more than one tooth. In that case, bonding or porcelain laminates might be the answer. Remember, it takes a great deal of artistry involved on the part of the dentist and ceramist.

What's a cap? What's a crown?

A cap and a crown are the same thing. The entire tooth surface is reduced and usually replaced with artificial material such as porcelain or porcelain bonded to metal.

I've lost a tooth. What can be done?

Today dentistry offers many options.
1. Tooth bonded back in place
2. A removable appliance
3. A fixed bridge
4. An implant and crown

What's the difference between bonding and porcelain laminate veneers?

Bonding is a tooth colored plastic (composite) resin material and is done in one visit (little tooth reduction, no anesthesia required). Porcelain laminate veneers can mask dark stains better with less long-term chipping than bonding. They are made by a ceramist and do not stain, offering greater choice in color, shape and vitality. They do require only two office visits.

What's the difference in cost between bonding and veneers?

Generally bonding is 1/2 to 1/3 of the cost of veneers or crowns. Your best bet is to review the fee range and advantages/disadvantages for all procedures in "Change Your Smile" (Quintessence Publishing Company).

How long does a bonding/veneer last?

On the average, bonding lasts three to eight years. Porcelain laminate veneers lasts four to twelve years or more.

Why should I spend a lot of money on a root canal? Why not just pull the tooth?

Losing a tooth can be the beginning of many more lost teeth. Saving the tooth maintains space, keeps other teeth from shifting, and eliminates the need and cost of a bridge or implant and crown. Although seemingly expensive, it is actually quite cost effective.

I have so many dental problems, sometimes I think I should just pull out all my teeth and get dentures.

To be able to wear a denture comfortably requires sufficient retention. Bone is invariably lost when teeth are pulled and then continues to reabsorb and shrink back, resulting in poor fitting loose dentures. These consistently require remaking and never function as natural teeth. Taste, speech or overall functions are severely compromised. Most times, if even the root can be saved, a good dentist can give a patient good functioning and esthetically pleasing, long-lasting teeth. Today, dental implants used to anchor a denture adds stability and is an ideal choice for most denture patients.

I have a space between my two front teeth. How can it be closed?

There are several ways in which this can be corrected:

Orthodontics is the best way (multiple visits)
Bonding (one visit)
Porcelain laminate veneers (two visits)
Crowns (two visits)

My teeth are too small -- can I have bigger teeth?

Yes. Either with composite resin bonding, porcelain laminate veneers or full crowns if they break or are already broken. Have a consultation which will include esthetic computer imaging to see how you can look with long or perhaps wide teeth.

My "eye" teeth are too pointed. Help! I look like a vampire!

Cosmetic contouring or reshaping your natural teeth would be the best possible procedure for this. It only takes one quick painless appointment to improve your look.

My teeth are uneven, what can I do?

Cosmetic contouring, porcelain laminate veneers, orthodontics, bonding or crowns can be used to correct this.

I was hit in the mouth and my teeth are broken, chipped and cracked. What can I do?

Translumination or an intraoral camera can be used to determine the extent of the cracks. Your possible choices to correct the problem would be:

Bonding
Porcelain laminate veneers
Porcelain crowns

I have big dark silver fillings . . . can they be made tooth-colored?

Yes. Possible tooth colored replacement choices include:

Composite (plastic) resin
Porcelain inlay/onlay
Porcelain crowns

My teeth stick out in the front. Are braces my only option?

No. Many times a compromise can be suggested after a cosmetic consultation.

Cosmetic contouring
Bonding
Porcelain laminate veneers
Crowns

Keep in mind that orthodontics is usually the best choice for these situations.

My teeth don't show when I smile.

Orthodontics is your best bet -- the teeth can usually be brought down enough to show. However, at times orthognathic surgery may be suggested as well.

Bonding or porcelain laminate veneers or full crowns are a possible compromise