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Cosmetic and
restorative
dentistry

Solutions for a Tooth Gap

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I have a tooth gap which is really starting to bother me the older I get. I’m looking into solutions and wanted to opinion of a cosmetic dentist.

Ben

Dear Ben,

woman smiling with a tooth gap
There are several solutions for a gapped tooth

When you have a gapped tooth, there are three great solutions. Which you choose depends on what you’re going for with the rest of your smile.

Solution One: Invisalign

Invisalign Aligner
Invisalign Aligner

If you want to truly close the gap, you can use orthodontics. It’s no longer necessary for patients to wear unsightly and painful wire and metal braces. These days adults (and teens) prefer Invisalign. It uses clear aligners to straighten your teeth.

It has a secret benefit of allowing you to simultaneously whiten your teeth at the same time. Your dentist can provide you with the teeth whitening gel and the aligners will double as the trays.

Solution Two: Dental Bonding

before and after dental bonding

You can see from this case which Dr. Weiss did the gap is completely closed. He also reshaped her whole smile at the patients request. When done by a skilled cosmetic dentist dental bonding blends perfectly and looks completely natural.

You don’t have to have bonding done on the entire smile as this patient did. It can just close the gap. It can be matched to whatever color your teeth are. If you’re happy with the whiteness, just do the bonding. If you’d like them a little whiter, first whiten them, then have the bonding done after that is completed.

Solution Three: Porcelain Veneers

porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth
Porcelain Veneers

This is only a useful option if you’re unhappy with other aspects of your smile. Porcelain veneers can change everything about your smile.— the shape, the size, the color.

This is the go-to procedure for a complete smile makeover. It can give you the smile of your dreams. However, I would consider it an expensive over-treatment if all you want to do is close a tooth gap.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

TMJ and Dental Crowns

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I have TMJ. It’s been under control for a while, ever since I had a night guard made. However, recently, the pain has returned in force. I think it is because of how tall this crown is, but my dentist says it isn’t. This crown hits the upper teeth before all my other teeth. He’s adjusted it three times and told me that is as good as it gets. He said this happens to many first time crown wearers and I will get used to how it feels. Fine, but what about the TMJ pain? Should I get a second opinion?

Misty

Dear Misty,

Woman in pain with TMJ
Poorly place dental crowns can cause serious damage

On the contrary of needing a second opinion, I think you need a new dentist. This one is not serving you. In fact, he’s either ignorant or deceptive.

The way your teeth meet both adjacently and with their opposing teeth is extremely important. It’s obvious he hasn’t put much time in studying this, which will lead to disaster for his patients.

Normally, your biting force is spread out over all of your teeth. However, when a dental crown is seated to high, it takes on the full force of your bite. Not only does this cause pain on biting, but you also are causing problems to the rest of your bite.

If you have TMJ Disorder, this will exacerbate it. If you don’t have TMJ disorder, it can lead to it.

Finding a TMJ Dentist

As you look for your new dentist, and I strongly suggest you get one, I want you to look for one who specifically has TMJ training. For instance, Dr. Weiss studied at the renowned Dawson Academy known for its TMJ training.

Additionally, he’s been treating TMJ successfully since the 1990s and has a very high success rate. His advanced TMJ training combined with his cosmetic training and expertise in smile makeovers makes him uniquely qualified for the toughest TMJ treatment, reserved for the most advanced cases, a full-mouth reconstruction.

That’s the type of dentist you want to look for in your area so you can make sure you don’t face exacerbated TMJ problem again.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.

Cried After Getting Porcelain Veneers

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I have dreamed of getting porcelain veneers for years. I saved every penny I could, stashed away every tax refund, and hadn’t been out to eat in two years. I can’t express how much I was looking forward to finally having a smile I was proud of. But, when my dentist bonded them on, I was so disappointed. They look so thick. I feel like I have donkey teeth. Even though the color and shape are better than my old smile, I was expecting something else. To me, these look fake. My dentist says that’s a common reaction because I’m not used to them and I’ll like them in a week. I could barely see while I drove home, I was crying so much. It’s been a week. They still look fake. What do I do?

Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Porcelain veneer being held up by a dental tool
Beautiful smiles require an expert cosmetic dentist

These type of stories absolutely break my heart. I’m so sorry you’ve made so many sacrifices to end up so disappointed. I can tell you what went wrong right away. You didn’t go to a true cosmetic dentist.

One problem for patients is that cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. It’s an art form that any general dentist can dabble in. It sounds like dabbling is all your dentist has done.

True cosmetic dentists invest serious time with training, study, and practice into learning how to create stunning smile makeovers. All of that has to be done post-graduate school. Smile makeovers aren’t taught in dental school.

How Do I Know Your Dentist Wasn’t a Cosmetic Dentist?

I could tell right away you were dealing with a dabbler. First, he just bonded the porcelain veneers on before getting your okay on the results. Instead, he should have used a try-in paste so you could have seen your porcelain veneers on your teeth and looked at them in several types of lighting.

Second, if you weren’t absolutely over the moon about your new smile, he would have gone back to the drawing board. Never, will a true cosmetic dentist say, “You’ll get used to them.” Nope. You paid for a beautiful smile and that’s what you should get. Don’t even get me started on his “That’s a common reaction.” That should tell HIM something.

Can These Porcelain Veneers Be Fixed?

This is the tricky part. Once they’re bonded in, no changes can be made. The entire case will have to be done fresh with new porcelain veneers. The first thing I would try is to ask your dentist for a refund. You didn’t get to approve the veneers before he bonded them on and that is standard practice with cosmetic dentists.

The problem you’ll run into is if he says, “No.” When it comes to what’s considered a “botched case” with the dental board is different than it should be in cases of cosmetic work. If the veneers are placed properly and your teeth function normally, they won’t force him to refund your money.

Here’s what I’d recommend in that case. Go to an expert cosmetic dentist for a second opinion. You can find one by going to aacd.com and doing a search for an ACCREDITED cosmetic dentist in your area. The accredited part is important. Ask his or her opinion of your case without telling them who the dentist was.

If they agree it was badly done, then solicit their help in getting you at least a partial refund. Sometimes a dentist will listen to a peer more than a patient out of professional pride.

Then, have the smile re-done by someone who knows what they’re doing.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.