Tag Archives: Teeth Whitening

Pediatric Dentistry

Can a Pediatric Dentist Whiten My Son’s Tooth?

I don’t know what is going on with my son’s teeth. His top two teeth are turning dark. The rest of them are okay. Can a pediatric dentist whiten them?

Laura

Dear Laura,

A child holding a teddy bear at the pediatric dentists office

If just his front teeth are turning dark and not the others, it’s not a staining issue. Is it possible your son has suffered some trauma to those teeth recently? Could he have been hit in the mouth with something?

When a tooth is turning dark it means the tooth is either dead or dying. He’ll need a root canal treatment. You didn’t mention how old he is so depending on his age a pulpotomy might be more appropriate. It’s like a root canal for children.

You’ll need to see your pediatric dentist and have his tooth evaluated. It’s important to figure out if there’s any other damage. If he still has adult teeth underneath you’ll need to make sure they aren’t damaged as well.

Teeth Whitening and Pediatrics

Professional teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure that has been stained. It doesn’t work on dead teeth. It also won’t work on any dental work that’s been done, such as fillings or crowns.

Most children don’t need any whitening because regular brushing keeps their teeth white. It’s us old folks who’ve accumulated years of stains on their teeth from things like coffee or tea, cigarettes, staining foods, etc.

There are some medicines which can stain teeth. Tetracycline is the worst of these. In those cases, then some cosmetic work may be warranted.

I’m assuming you’re son is under the regular care of a pediatric or family dentist. Please don’t put off getting this looked at. The last thing you want is for this to turn into a dental emergency. Not only are they dangerous and can turn life-threatening, but it’s important children have positive dental experiences. We want pleasant instead of painful memories of their dental care.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Sealants Aren’t Working

I don’t know what’s going on. My dentist insists my son’s sealants are on, but I don’t think they’re working. My son’s teeth look horrible. Will the sealants keep whitening from working? His teeth look so brown to me. He brushes. I’ve even started watching him to check, which really annoys him.

Kathy

Dear Kathy,

Four children one behind another smiling

I wanted to go over dental sealants with you because there seems to be a miscommunication somewhere either between you and your pediatric dentist, or possibly I’m not understanding what you’ve written. Sealants are meant to go on children’s back molars. Those have deep grooves in them which are nearly impossible for them to get clean. Because of that, we’ll place sealants on them which keep things from getting down in there. They don’t cover their front teeth in any way.

The makeup of baby and adult teeth are slightly different. With baby teeth, the enamel over the dentin is not translucent which makes their teeth look brighter and whiter. Adult teeth are very translucent which can show more of the dentin underneath. That has a yellowish color. If your comparing the color of his adult teeth to his baby teeth, the newer teeth will look less attractive in comparison.

When Children’s Teeth Look Dark

Children’s bodies and dental health are as varied as their personalities. It sounds like you’ve been monitoring his brushing and he’s doing that fine. Have you noticed if he intakes and staining beverages or foods? While most children don’t drink coffee, I’m often surprised how many of them drink iced tea. That can make someone’s smile brown looking quickly.

There are also certain spices which stain your teeth as well. If you’ve checked all these obvious culprits, the next thing to do is look into medication he may be (or have) taken. For instance, certain vitamins and antibiotics stain teeth. Tetracycline stains are some of the worst teeth stains to deal with. Not even teeth whitening makes much headway with them.

Another possibility is that your son has thin enamel, which will reveal more of the dentin. There are steps that can be taken to help that. Have a good talk with your pediatric dentist to get to the bottom of his coloring. If he or she doesn’t know what to do, try a cosmetic dentist that enjoys treating children.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Phoenix Dentist

What Kind of Dentist Does Teeth Whitening?

I keep hearing you need a cosmetic dentist for that type of work. Does that include teeth whitening? I have a family dentist and he says he does whitening. Is it safe to use him?

Bruce

Dear Bruce,

A woman and her dentist smiling
Do You Need a Cosmetic Dentist for Teeth Whitening?

First, I want to make sure you know there isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry by the American Dental Association. Dentists who call themselves cosmetic dentists, are really just general dentists who do cosmetic procedures in their practice in addition to their general dentistry.

That being said, some dentists have invested much more time and energy in developing expertise in the field of cosmetics. So, for some procedures, like porcelain veneers, you will want a dentist who’s invested in training and has experience placing them. Also look at their smile gallery to see if you like the type of results they get.

Does Teeth Whitening Require a Cosmetic Dentist?

Teeth Whitening is a completely different story. Any general dentist can do it. It doesn’t take artistry, but rather general dental skills. When it comes to whitening your teeth, the role of the dentist is to provide custom fit trays for you to use the whitening gel, as well as monitor the patient’s oral health during the process.

There are always things which can go wrong, such as gum sensitivity, issues with decay, etc. That’s where his skills as a dentist, much more than a cosmetic dentist, are what you need.

I hope this helps answer your question. Most patients love teeth whitening and the results they get from it. One word or warning. If you have dental work, such as fillings or porcelain crowns, the whitening gel only works on natural tooth structure. That doesn’t mean you still can’t get your teeth whitened. It just means that (if they’re in a visible part of your smile) you’ll want to replace them after your whitening procedure so your smile will match.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Do Dentists Ever Offer Affordable Porcelain Veneers?

Can you help a gal out? I’ve always been embarrassed about my smile. The two front teeth overlap one another, they’re stained, and two of them are chipped. I’ve been pricing porcelain veneers because I’ve been told they can fix all of those issues at once, but they cost a fortune. Are there dentists who will offer a desperate gal an affordable smile makeover?

Mindy L.

Dollar sign hatched from an egg

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “You get what you pay for.” While it’s not always true, there are certain occasions where it bears more weight. Smile makeovers, especially with porcelain veneers, are one of them. The last thing you want is a slipshod smile. There have been countless smile makeover disasters and I don’t want yours to be one of them.

With that in mind, I want you to ask yourself if it’s more important to you that you improve your smile affordably or to get porcelain veneers affordably? Based on the issues you described, there is a much more affordable way to repair and improve your smile without the high cost of porcelain veneers.

Getting an Affordable Smile Makeover

While veneers are designed for a complete smile makeover, you can get a gorgeous smile without them. Here are three procedures I’m going to recommend to you that combined will still be more affordable for you than what you’re asking for.

  • Invisalign: This straightens your teeth without wire and metal, invisibly. No one will even know you’re wearing them.
  • Teeth whitening: This will take away all the stains that are bothering you. In fact, this alone makes patients look years younger.
  • Dental bonding: Those few chips you mentioned can be easily repaired with dental bonding.

One important thing to note. Make sure you get the teeth whitening done before getting the bonding placed on the chips. You want the bonding material to match your whiter teeth, not your current stained teeth. Also, any visible fillings you have will need to be replaced to match your whitened teeth as well.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

When Do You Leave a Pediatric Dentist?

Everyone’s saying my daughter needs to move away from a pediatric dentist. But, we have a good relationship with our pediatric dentist. He lets parents come back into the operatory which helps me feel safe about her being treated. I’m not sure I want to let my sixteen-year-old loose with an adult dentist who may or may not allow me back with her. When do we have to leave?

Sandra Q.

Dear Sandra,

Child with Pediatric Dentist

There isn’t a universal rule for when your child, son or daughter, should switch. Each pediatric dental office usually has their own policy. I’d talk to them and see what their policy is.

One thing I don’t want you worrying about is the safety of your daughter with dentists. I know there have been some stories in the news that would make any parent nervous, but those are very rare indeed. If you’re afraid, many general dentists will also let parents back into the operatory. When you’re calling around, simply ask them.

Are General Dentists Qualified to Treat Children?

If you’re looking for a sort of transitional period, there are general dentists who treat children. They’re perfectly qualified. All of them did a pediatric rotation during dental school. They just didn’t do the extra time to specialize in it. By the time they’re sixteen, you rarely have to worry about something coming up totally pediatric related that they’ll need to give you a specialist recommendation.

In fact, their jaws are developing more into an adult’s, so things like crowns and composite fillings may be better suited to an “adult” dentist. Teenagers also start getting interested in procedures such as teeth whitening, which most pediatric dentists don’t offer. Be aware, though, that their bite is still developing so don’t listen to a dentist who suggests that they’re ready for something like porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Do Lumineers Cause Cavities?

I spoke to my dentist about the possibility of getting Lumineers. I really wanted to get a prettier smile. My dentist said he was certified in Lumineers but he’s only done them twice and will never do them again. He said both times his patients developed cavities underneath the Lumineers. Do they cause cavities? Do I have a chance of getting a pretty smile? How do the celebrities not get cavities under their Lumineers?

Franny W.

Dear Franny,

An advertisement for Lumineers

Here’s the thing about Lumineers. They’re marketed to inexperienced dentists. It appears your dentist is one of those. Lumineers is just a brand of porcelain veneers. The only way a patient can get a cavity from Lumineers is if your dentist doesn’t bond them on properly.

When the bond isn’t flush to the gums and correctly on the tooth, food can get trapped between the veneers and your teeth. That will lead to decay. I’m guessing that’s what happened with the two cases your dentist did.

You can get a beautiful smile with porcelain veneers, but probably not with this dentist.

How to Get a Beautiful Smile With or Without Lumineers

The key to a beautiful smile is a dentist with skill in giving smile makeovers. Ask to see before and after pictures of cases they’ve actually done. Make sure you like the type of results they’ve gotten. Additionally, make sure they will never permanently bond on any type of veneers without you seeing them with a temporary place and giving your approval that you like the results. This is a reasonable request and any true cosmetic dentist would consider it a no-brainer.

What about those patients who can’t afford porcelain veneers? Are they doomed to smiles that looked aged and exhausted? Absolutely not. The simple procedure of teeth whitening can take years off your appearance. It’s very affordable and if there are other things you want to improve, will give you something you’re proud of while you save up for veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Affordable Dentist for White Fillings

I’m in need of help. You may think I’m just being vain, but I can’t get my dental insurance to cover white fillings. I need one on a front tooth. My insurance will only give me a silver filling. That’s just too humiliating to consider. Is there a way to find an affordable dentist who’ll let me get a white filling at a reasonable price without my insurance?

Cienna

Dear Cienna,

Phoenix Affordable Dentist

William Somerset Maugham once said, “Money is like a sixth sense – and you can’t make use of the other five without it.” It’s frustrating when you don’t have money to do things that are actually important and good for you. Dental insurance companies are renowned for only covering the most basic of care, even if another procedure is better for you. That is true of how most of them handle fillings as well.

It’s not vain to want your teeth to be all the same color. Plus, there’s the added worry about the high mercury content in silver fillings. While many dentists demand payment upfront, there are some affordable dentists who’ll be willing to work with you.

Some do payment plans. Others will give you the white filling while billing your dental insurance for the amalgam filling and letting you pay the difference.

In your place, I’d find a dentist you trust and explain your situation. Dentists want you to have a smile you’re proud to share. It reflects on them as well. I’d be willing to bet most will work with you.

Affording White Fillings and Teeth Whitening

I know affordability is an issue for you, but I just want to be sure you know once the fillings are made, the color cannot be changed. Because you said it will be on a visible tooth, make sure your teeth are the color you want. You can whiten them now, before getting your filling so they’ll match.

Or, if you need to save up because of costs, you can get your fillings then when you’re ready to whiten, you’ll just have to re-do them.

You may want to talk to your dentist about Care Credit. It’s a medical credit card that will allow you to get both procedures and pay them out in reasonable bits. Depending on your credit, you can even get zero interest terms.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Dental implants

Why Are My Gums Gray After Dental Implants?

I need some advice. I’ve been looking forward to getting dental implants for a long time. But, now that I have them, the gums look gray. I don’t know what to do. Why is this happening? Did I get faulty materials?

Lisa A.

Dear Lisa,

Phoenix Dentists who do Dental Implants

It is not a matter of faulty material. An important consideration when implants are placed is the thickness of the surrounding gum tissue. That is especially important when you’re putting implants on front teeth. If they are not ideally placed, you end up with a situation like yours because the posts are made of metal and will show through. These days, we have zirconia and ceramic implants which are metal-free and don’t have that same issue.

In your place, I’d go see a dentist with some expertise in dental implants to get a second opinion. He’ll be able to give you solid solutions. Without an examination, it would dangerous for me to tell you what to do. If it’s determined that your dentist poorly placed the implants, you could get your money back. That may mean doing the procedure over, but you’d end up with solid teeth AND a beautiful smile.

Make sure you DO NOT tell the second opinion dentist who your original dentist was. If they’re pals, he might hesitate to say he did something wrong.

Making Your Smile More Beautiful with Dental Implants

I’m a firm believer in making something positive out of a negative. If it turns out you have to start over, use this as an excuse to give yourself a cosmetic treat. Once your implant crowns are made, their color can’t be changed. This would be the time to get your teeth whitened. Then, your new implant crowns can be made the same beautiful color.

Now, not only do you have stable new teeth, they’re also gorgeous and take years off your appearance.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Is There Such a Thing as an Affordable Smile Makeover?

I don’t make a lot of money. In fact, I’m pretty close to the poverty line, thankfully on the plus side of it though. I’ve wanted to improve the appearance of my smile for years. Everything I read says smile makeovers need porcelain veneers, which are way out of my budget. Is there such a thing as an affordable smile makeover?

Mary Anne L.

Dear Mary Anne,

Scottsdale Affordable Dentist

It’s admirable that you’re working toward improving your smile despite financial challenges. Your smile is an investment. A beautiful smile exudes confidence, which in turn helps you to be more successful in dealing with peers.

If you were getting a top of the line smile makeover, then yes, porcelain veneers are the way to go.  There are affordable dentists who might be willing to let you pay out your smile makeover, but each dentist has their own policy in regards to what they’ll accept payments on. If they don’t take payments on cosmetic procedures, Care Credit is always an option.

Also, there are other cosmetic procedures that don’t include porcelain veneers which can make a huge difference in your smile. One of the most affordable things you can do is get your teeth whitened. It’s cost effective while taking years off your appearance. It’s also simple to do and can fit into almost anyone’s schedule.

Of course, a lot of what would help depends on what you perceive is wrong with your teeth. If you have chips or gaps, dental bonding is an affordable way to close those.

I hope this helps you. Talk to your dentist about specific issues. He or she may have some remarkably creative solutions.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

My Dentist Is Trying to Force Lumineers on Me

I am feeling really pressured by my dentist. I told him I wanted to deal with my tooth gap, but don’t want braces. I’m too old for a mouth full of metal. He keeps insisting I get Lumineers. Six of them! That’s incredibly expensive. The tooth gap is only between my two front teeth. Is that really my only solution?

Lisa W. – Indiana

Lisa,

Wow! Dr. Peck does Lumineers, but just for smile makeovers. There are much less invasive and less costly solutions for something as simple as a tooth gap. First, though, let’s address braces. I certainly understand you not wanting a mouth full of metal, especially as an adult. I don’t know if you’re aware, but dental technology has improved significantly. We now have much better options available for orthodontics. Invisalign, for instance, can straighten your teeth with aligners people can’t see, even at a conversational distance. They can also do it in half the time of traditional braces.

But, if you’ve got your heart set against any form of orthodontics you still have another option. In fact, the typical solution for a tooth gap is to use dental bonding. Bonding uses the composite resin, like what you’d get in a white filling. This will not close the gap, like orthodontics, but it will fill it in so it looks closed. You’ll need to be certain to go to a cosmetic dentist, so you’re sure they know how to match the material to your tooth. You want it to be seamless.

While Lumineers are a massive overtreatment for what you’re trying to do, there is an exception. If there are other things about your smile you want to change, Lumineers can do anything you want. They can make your teeth longer or wider. They can change the color of your teeth. They can even change the shape. It truly can re-make the entire character of your smile.

If you get either of the last two options, their color is permanent, so if you’re not happy with the current brightness and color of your smile, now is the time to change that. Get your teeth whitened, then your dentist can match your bonding or Lumineers to the new spectacular color of your teeth.

Never let a dentist pressure you into a procedure, especially a cosmetic procedure. Lumineers are pricey. They can be worth it for what they’re designed to do, but using them for a simple tooth gap is an overtreatment. It sounds to me like your dentist is just try to make a quick buck at your expense.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.