Tag Archives: American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

My Crown Looks Awful

I got a makeover on five teeth. Four were veneers and one is a crown. The veneers look OK, but the crown looks different than the others. It’s like there is a shadow underneath it. My dentist says it is from the cement and that it isn’t noticeable. If that’s true, than how come I can see it? I asked if we could re-do it, but she said it wouldn’t match the others because they need to be done at the same time. Is that true?

Hannah S. – Little Rock, AR

Hannah,

Well, it may be true for your dentist, but it isn’t true for someone with expertise in cosmetic dentistry. There is a danger in letting a general dentist without a lot of training in cosmetic procedures. A true cosmetic dentist would not be satisfied if you didn’t like the way it looked.  That crown would go right back to the lab.

The problem is twofold: one, dentists are taught in dental school that they know better than the patient. That is not the case with those who have significant training in cosmetic. They are taught that the patient is the decision maker as to what is beautiful.  The second issue is skill. Now a great cosmetic dentist could match your crown to other teeth easily. Maybe your dentist doesn’t know who to do that. However, your dentist ordered the veneers with the crown at the lab. They should be able to match the specifications to the lab.

I’ll be honest, if you really want this done well, you’ll probably need to have it done by a different dentist. I recommend you see a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These dentists are in the top 1-3% in their field. They can give you a gorgeous crown.

This blog  is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

 

Fixing protruded teeth

I have protruded teeth. I am wanting a cosmetic option to fix it, but don’t want braces. What are my best options?

Alina M. – Montreal

Alina,

Both the options I am about to share with you will repair protruded teeth. However, neither will work if your teeth are extremely protruded. My most important advice is to make sure you go to an expert cosmetic dentist. We’ll talk more about this in a minute. I’ll give you the options first.

Your first option is Invisalign. These are different than braces, which I can understand you not wanting.  They will repair your teeth, straightening them like braces, but there are no uncomfortable wires and brackets, plus they are no visible to other people, even at at conversational distance. No one will even know you are wearing them. If you’re open to that, then Invisalign would be one of your options. A good one too, because your teeth will be straight.

A second option is to get porcelain veneers. These will not actually straighten your teeth, but they will make them appear straight. Even though these don’t actually straighten your teeth, they do have a different kind of advantage. These can also change the shape and color of your teeth.  So, if there is more than just straightening your teeth you had in mind, these may be a better option.

That being said, if you ever get cosmetic work done of any kind, it is extraordinarily important that you use a highly skilled cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. Therefore, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. The skills necessary to do a beautiful smile makeover are not taught in dental school. It takes a considerable amount of post-graduate training to develop the skill and technique necessary. Plus, you want a dentist with an artistic eye.

So, how do you make sure you’re getting a qualified cosmetic dentist? My recomendation would be to find a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Only the top cosmetic dentist reach accreditation level.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

 

Treating a huge tooth gap

If I have a large tooth gap. i measured it and it looks like it is a little over half a centimeter. if I wanted to treat that would it be better to do lumineers, dental  bonding, or something else?

Eric S.- Philadelphia

Eric,

Which treatment you use will depend in part about how you feel about your teeth in general. Are you happy with the shape and color of your teeth, but just want to fix the gap? Do you want to fix your gap and whiten? Or do you not like anything about your teeth and want a complete smile makeover? The only thing you mentioned that I would definitively say no to is the dental bonding. It is just too large a gap for that to be an attractive solution.

If you’re happy with your teeth and just want to fix the gap, then I would recommend Invisalign. These will straighten your teeth in less than half the time of traditional braces. The best part is the aligners are invisible. Even at a conversational distance people will not be able to tell you are wearing them.  It is also possible to do teeth whitening at the same time.

However, if there are other things, such as the size and shape of your teeth, that you want to change, then you might want to consider porcelain veneers. I know you mentioned Lumineers. I don’t know if you are aware that they are just a brand of porcelain veneers. Most expert cosmetic dentists are not happy with the quality of their product. Let me give you a word of caution. A gap the size you mentioned is large enough to fit another tooth into. Because of this, if you choose any type of porcelain veneers you had really better make sure you are going to an expert cosmetic dentist. I wouldn’t go to anyone who wasn’t accredited (which is different from just a member) by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Only about the top 1% of dentists reach the level of accreditation. They’ll be able to handle a complicated case like yours.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette LA Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Difference in veneers

I’m going to get a smile makeover, which has taken me years to save up for. Because of that I’ve been doing a lot of research.  I want to make sure I use the perfect veneers. Can you tell me if MAC or JK veneers are better?

Olivia- Wisconsin

Olivia,

I hope you won’t mind if I don’t actually answer the question you asked. Instead, I’m going to answer the question that you needed to ask.  It is not the material that makes for beautiful porcelain veneers. There are exquisitly beautiful veneers from every type and brand.  It is the dentist you choose that makes the biggest difference. So, intead of asking which veneers should I get, you should ask how do I know if my dentist is a skilled cosmetic dentist.

There are a many ways to research cosmetic dentists, but I’ll tell you about the two I think are the quickest and most reliable.

1.  First, see if there is someone who is AACD accredited in your area.  AACD stands for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. I’m not talking about just looking for someone with a membership in the organization, but instead accreditation.  It might be difficult, because very few dentists reach that level.  Though I will say that many excellent cosmetic dentists though not AACD accredited do a fantastic job and are very likely working toward accreditation.

2. If you cannot find someone who is AACD accredited, then I would go to the mynewsmile.com website. They research cosmetic dentists for both their training and their artistry, both of which have to be verified. Any one of them would be able to give you a gorgeous smile with porcelain veneers.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette Louisiana Cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Congratulations to Dr. Chal

We wanted to give recognition to Dr. Arthur Chal in Phoenix who was recognized recently for 16 years of service as an accreditation examiner with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Dr. Chal served also as President of the AACD for 2001-2002, a couple of years before Dr. Malone. Dr. Malone and Dr. Chal have known each other for about twenty years, and we here in Dr. Malone’s office have the highest respect for Dr. Chal, the quality of his dentistry, and his dedication to the profession. For patients who live in the Phoenix area, we consider him the best dentist in Phoenix. He has expertise in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and TMJ treatment.

Congratulations, Dr. Chal

This blog is sponsored by Lafayette LA cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Ugly porcelain crowns

I think I made a mistake, but I don’t know what to do about it.  I needed my four front teeth crowned. I told my dentist that I wanted all porcelain crowns. He told me that he hasn’t done many of them, but I told him how important that was for me, so he said he’d go ahead and do it.  When the crowns were completed I was really disappointed. They didn’t look very natural to me. I expressed this to my sweet dentist and he said he’d do them over free of charge. He asked if I wouldn’t mind going to the lab in order to give them some idea of what I am looking for.  I said OK, but now I wonder if that was a mistake. I don’t really know how to instruct a lab. Do you have any advice for me?

Karyn-Texas

Karyn,

You have a fantastic dentist, who obviously cares about you and values you as a patient. He is willing to do this again free of charge, which will actually cost him a significant amount of money in lab fees alone. Because your crowns are functional and the only problem seems to be you not liking the appearance, he is under no obligation to do anything. I hope this gives you some idea of what a generous, kind dentist you have.

You mentioned earlier that you think you’d made a mistake.  To be honest, the mistake wasn’t in agreeing to go to the lab, the mistake is in unintentionally putting your dentist in the position of needing to do a procedure he wasn’t adequately trained in  so that you would be happy.

Doing all-porcelain crowns requires artistry that takes significant post-graduate cosmetic training. You going to the lab won’t really help, because you don’t know any more than your dentist does what instructions to give the lab. Here is what I suggest. You’ll need to go to an expert cosmetic dentist and pay his consulting fee. Tell him the situation and ask him to advise you on what to ask the lab.  He may even suggest you go to a different lab depending on how he  feels about the quality of your dentist’s current one. Then you can tell your original dentist his advice.

The next step is for you to find an expert cosmetic dentist. First, I’d go on the website for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and look for a dentist who is accredited with them in your area. That is different from just being a member.  If you can’t find an accredited dentist in  your area I would go to the mynewsmile.com website and look for who they recommend from your state. This site only lists expert cosmetic dentists, so you’ll be safe with anyone on the list.

From now on I recommend going to your invaluable dentist for all your general dentistry needs, but to another dentist for cosmetic issues.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette Louisiana dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

What is the lightest shade?

Hi, I just got two Lumineers to fix some chips and other problems with those two teeth.  The problem is they are darker than my other natural teeth. My dentist keeps telling me he gave me the lightest shade and if I’d just stop whitening my other teeth (which I don’t anyway) they would match up.  I see people with teeth whiter than even mine, so what exactly does he mean by the whitest shade?

Breanna N. from Wisconsin

Breanna,

The problem is your dentist is a general dentist who does cosmetic dentistry and not an expert in the field. It takes significant post-graduate training to become really skilled with cosmetic dentistry.

Here is what is happening. It dental school we are taught the whitest “natural” shade for most teeth is a B1. I suspect that is what he ordered from the lab. We can get teeth much whiter than that, but the lab has to be instructed properly.  I’m surprised the only thing you didn’t like about your Lumineers was the color. Many people find that brand of porcelain veneers to be a little bulky.

There is no way to change any brand of veneers once they are permanently bonded on. You can, however, get them removed and have another brand of porcelain veneers placed. However, don’t go to your family dentist again. Look for someone in your area who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, Louisiana dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Problems with my smile makeover

I just spend an unbelievable amount of money on my smile makeover. I got ten porcelain veneers. I know most people get six or eight, but I have a really wide smile, so I wanted to make sure that everything visible was covered. We talked for a long time about what kind of smile I wanted. But, when he put it in, I thought it looked ridiculous. It seems too cloudy. I had some stains on my teeth from some medicine I took when I was a child. My dentist said he had to make it that way to cover the stains and insists it looks better than I think, but I just don’t like it. Plus, my jaw hurts and the veneers feel loose so I’m afraid to bite down too much. I don’t even smile anymore. Is there any way to fix this?

Cindy- Mississippi

Cindy,

I can’t tell you how often we hear these type of stories.  There are very few dentists that can do a beautiful smile makeover, especially in a situation like yours. I’m assuming the stains on your teeth are from tetracycline.  These take a very skilled cosmetic dentist to get right.  For the beginning cosmetic dentist there is generally one of two mistakes. Either they are made normally, which allows the tetracycline stains to show through, or they make them too opaque to cover the stains and they don’t look natural.

If you had gone to an expert cosmetic dentist he would be appalled to hear you don’t want to smile anymore. True cosmetic dentists take steps to insure their patient is thrilled with their new smile. First, they make an acrylic smile for them to try on and see how they like it.  If they don’t like it, then they would go right back to designing the smile. Then, after the smile arrives, your dentist will put it in with a try-in paste.  You would get to look at them in different lights. You could even have a friend or family member come in to look at them and give their opinion. Only when the dentist was sure that you were pleased would they be permanently bonded on. You would never be pressured into liking them.

Generally, if you received a bad smile makeover, there isn’t much recourse. The standard for judging cosmetic dentistry for refunds is whether or not it is functional. Now, here is where you are at an advantage. Your veneers are not loose. I know that because if the veneers were loose they would just fall off. I suspect, based on your jaw pain that your teeth are loose because your bite has been thrown off. This could cause some serious problems for you, including TMJ Disorder. That entitles you to to compensation for getting this repaired.

Here is what I suggest you do. First, go to the AACD (The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) website to see if there is a dentist in your area that is AACD accredited. That is different than just being a member. Any one of them could give you an opinion on the work that has been done and help you get the compensation you need to repair the damage if the porcelain veneers are what threw off your bite.  Then, you can get the smile makeover you had dreamed of.

If there is not an AACD accredited dentist in your area, then you can also find an expert cosmetic dentist by going to the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend expert cosmetic dentists by state. Anyone on their list will be safe. It will be worth it to travel if you have to.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette Lousiana Cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Malone.

Smile makeover without spending a fortune

I want to get a smile makeover. My problem is I can’t spend a fortune. My sister just got her smile done, but it cost her $35,000. I don’t have that kind of money. Personally, I think my sister was overcharged. She tends to want to only go to the top of the line for anything. My question is how can I find a highly qualified cosmetic dentist without spending an unreasonable amount of money? Oh, my dentist says I have a problem with grinding. I don’t know if that will affect my makeover. FYI, I don’t trust my dentist for cosmetic work. He’s a good regular dentist though.

Gail B.- New Mexico

Gail,

There are two ways to find a great cosmetic dentist. One is to go on the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD.com) website and look for someone who is accredited with them that practices in your area. There is a difference between accreditation and membership, so make sure you are looking up the right thing. Another avenue is to look on the mynewsmile.com website and see who they recommend in your state.

For a smile makeover you generally do porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Sometimes a mix of both.  Because of your grinding issue, I’m guessing the dentist you choose will recommend mostly porcelain crowns.  It is good you are not just going to your family dentist to get your work done, because you would end up out of a lot of money as well as disappointed in the results.  Not all highly qualified cosmetic dentists charge a fortune, but they won’t be cheap either. I would make a list of potential cosmetic dentists from those two sources, then call and ask them how much they charge for porcelain crowns. You’ll probably be able to find one who is both qualified and reasonable in their fees.  I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, Louisiana dentist Dr. Mike Malone.