Q. What causes the discoloration of a tooth?
A. Tooth discoloration is a normal part of aging. As people age, enamel wears down, and
teeth take on a duller appearance. Teeth can also become discolored from smoking and
heavy consumption of coffee or tea. Other causes of tooth discoloration include side effects
of medications (specifically certain antibiotics) used during the developmental phase of the
teeth, an individual’s genetic makeup, and excessive fluoride consumption (fluorosis, seen
in both children and adults). Teeth whitening and veneers offer a cosmetic dentistry solution
for people with discolored or dull-looking teeth.
Q. Are any side effects
associated with teeth
whitening?
A. Dentists take protective
measures to prevent
discomfort during teeth
whitening procedures.
Typically, a protective
gel or rubber shield
is used to prevent bleaching
agents from
damaging
gum tissue. The most
common bleaching agents
used by dentists are
approved
for use by
the
American Dental Association,
ensuring safety and
effectiveness. After
the
whitening procedure,
you may experience minimal
tooth sensitivity for
a short period of time.
Q. Does teeth whitening
work for everyone?
A. No. In cases involving
severe discoloration,
teeth whitening may
not result in a bright,
white smile. Individuals
with severe tooth discoloration
should consider other
options,
such as porcelain
veneers.
Q. Are there special
considerations for dental
veneers?
A. The factors to consider
when evaluating a veneer
procedure from an esthetic
point of
view include:
Your
goals.
The
color of your teeth. For
example, most veneers are
ultra-thin and therefore
translucent,
so discolored teeth
underneath may show
through. Your dentist
may recommend teeth
whitening first
to reduce discoloration.
Veneers are fabricated
to have a natural tooth-like
appearance.
Veneer color must match
that of any remaining
teeth, and texturing
may be applied to
veneer surfaces
for a natural look.
The
impact of your lifestyle
and habits. For example,
teeth grinding and clenching
may
make
the veneer more susceptible
to chips, cracks, and
breaking.
You
should also consider the
artistry of the dentist
who designs the specifications
and
ultimately places the
veneers. Veneer materials
are universal, but the artistic
skill of the
dentist,
as well as that
of the lab technician
who crafts the veneers,
plays a major role in
the esthetic appeal
of the final product.
[Read more about dental veneers.]
Q. How do I know whether a cosmetic dentist is good or not?
A. One of the first
questions you should
ask is what type of
training he has for
the particular
procedures you’re
interested in. Not all
dentists know and perform
all cosmetic dentistry
procedures. As such,
cosmetic dentists often
involve other specialists
(orthodontist,
endodontist, lab
techs, etc.) in treatment
planning and execution.
It is important to know
exactly who will be
involved in your treatment
and what they will be
doing.
You
should also ask to see
before-and-after photos
of patients who underwent
those
procedures. Ask
questions about their
cases and the strategies
the dentist used to
improve
their smiles.
Q. What cosmetic dentistry procedures are available for people who are missing teeth?
A. Although dentures
are not considered a
cosmetic dentistry procedure,
they provide a
cosmetic benefit
for people who have
lost all or some of
their teeth. People
who are
missing only
certain teeth,
or rows of teeth, may
be better served by
a dental bridge or
dental
implants. It is best
to have your situation
evaluated by a dental
professional in
order
to establish candidacy
for any of these
procedures.
Q. May I choose to be sedated during cosmetic dentistry procedures?
A. Yes. The level of
sedation necessary for
cosmetic dentistry procedures
depends on
several factors,
including:
. Your
health and medical history.
. The
procedure being performed.
. Your
dentist’s
familiarity with sedation
modalities.
. Most
people do not require a
high level of sedation during
cosmetic dental procedures.
Q. Why can’t smokers undergo certain cosmetic dentistry procedures?
A. Smoking is a leading
cause of tooth loss.
Smokers also have an
increased risk for
periodontal
disease (gum disease),
leukoplakia, loss of
bone structure, inflammation
of
the salivary gland,
and development of lung,
throat, or oral cancer.
Smokers therefore face
an additional set of
considerations when
exploring cosmetic dentistry
treatment.
One
restriction for smokers
involves dental implants.
Smoking increases the
risk that a
dental implant
will fail to integrate
with bone tissue (osseointegration).
Smoking also affects
gum health, and unhealthy
gums can lead to dental
implant failure. If
you smoke, you need
to quit before having
an implant.
Another
restriction involves
teeth whitening. If
you whiten your teeth
but continue to smoke,
the
whitening effect will
not last as long, because
smoking stains the teeth.
Q. Are dental implants suitable for children?
A. Dentists indicate
that implants cannot
be considered until
bone growth has completed.
This typically occurs
during adolescence,
but may vary from one
child to the next. Implants
placed prior to bone
growth completion may
shift out of place and
cause severe problems.
If a child loses a tooth
before bone growth has
completed, an orthodontic
device called a
“space
maintainer” may
be used to prevent an
abnormal growth of surrounding
teeth. Once
bone growth
has completed, the space
maintainer can be removed
and the missing tooth
restored using an implant
or bridge.
Q. What is the cost of cosmetic dentistry procedures? Will insurance cover any of it?
A. Costs vary widely,
but you’ll find
approximate costs in
our articles on particular
procedures.
For example,
in-office teeth whitening
is approximately $.
Usually
dental insurance doesn’t
cover cosmetic dentistry.
But some dental plans
may
cover part of the
cost of certain procedures,
such as crowns, especially
when the main
purpose
is to repair a structural
problem that could affect
the overall health of
your mouth.
Usually,
functional and restorative
dentistry is covered
in part by insurance,
while cosmetic
dentistry
is seldom covered.