Tag Archives: Lafayette LA Cosmetic Dentist

Do I need to go out of town for a smile makeover?

I live in a small town. We do have a dentist and he said he could give me lumineers, but my sister is saying I’d be better off going to Atlanta for the makeover. That’s an hour and a half drive. Is it really worth that?

Amy D. – Georgia

Amy,

If I were in your place, I would drive to Atlanta. I know it is a drive, but you’d only have to do it twice. I assure you it will likely make a huge difference.

If your dentist is saying he could give you lumineers it has me concerned. Many artistic cosmetic dentists feel that will not give you the beautiful smile you’re looking for. They often prefer other brands of porcelain veneers. Many inexperienced dentists place them because they’re marketed as being easy to place, but they tend to be bulky and opaque.

What you really want is a dentist who has expertise and an artistic eye.  It’s ideal if you can go to a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

A dentist with that kind of skill will give you an absolutely stunning smile. If you’re ging to spend the money on a makeover, you want to make sure you get a gorgeous one.

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

Can veneers fix a tooth gap?

I have a gap between my two front teeth that has always bothered me. Can I get porcelain veneers to fix it?

Lori Ann W. – Wyoming

Lori Ann,

While you can get porcelain veneers to fix it, that is a pricey way to go…unless, there were other things you wanted to fix about your smile. Porcelain veneers can fix the shape, size, and color of your teeth.  If you’re interested in a smile makeover, then porcelain veneers are an excellent choice and can give you a stunning smile.  Though, it will be imortant to go to a highly skilled, artistic cosmetic dentist.

If you just want to fix the tooth gap, my suggestion would be to use dental bonding. It’s a much more affordable treatment and will look just like your natural teeth.

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

Can bulimics get smile makeovers?

I’m bulimic. I’m getting a little better about it, but to be honest, I still purge sometimes. My teeth are in bad shape. I was wondering if it’s possible for me to get a smile makeover with porcelain veneers or if I damaged my teeth too much?

Olivia B. – Minnesotta

Olivia,

Congratulations on working on your bulimia. I know it is a hard road. Because Dr. Malone has worked with pageant contestants, he understands the difficulty of your situation.

One thing to  be aware of is that while you’re still struggling with your eating disorder, it will continue to damage your teeth, even teeth that are cosmetically restored.

Depending on the condition of your teeth, it can still be possible to get porcelain veneers. Go see a great cosmetic dentist. Look for someone who is AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) accredited.  You will get a much more attractive smile that way.

Good luck with your treatment.

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

Why won’t my dentist do lumineers?

I want to get a smile makeover. My general dentist is also highly praised as a cosmetic dentist so I was pretty sure I’d get what I want. But, when I told him I wanted lumineers, he wasn’t too keen and said he’d prefer to do something else.

Jennine G. – Brooklyn, NY

Jennine,

Your dentist is just trying to give you the best new smile possible.  If he’s highly praised as a cosmetic dentist, then it is likely he knows that Lumineers are the best quality porcelain veneer you can get.

One of the biggest problems with them is the lab.  Lumineers are owned by the Den Mat corporation, which insists that dentists use their lab. Unfortunately, their lab is pretty sub-par in creating gorgeous veneers.

Most expert cosmetic dentists have a lab they prefer working with and they don’t want to be tied down to an inferior lab.

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

The Invisalign Weight Loss Program

I recently received a message from a patient that I thought I’d pass on:

I just thought you’ d want to let your patients know that Invisalign is a great way to lose weight.  I’m a compulsive snacker.  Because I’ve had to wear my invisalign aligners, I’ve only eaten at mealtimes.  I couldn’t believe it, but I’ve lost 25 pounds without even trying.  It’s been awesome and I got to buy new clothes. I’ve loved my invisalign treatment, but I’ve been thrilled that it gave me a new body in addition to a new smile.

Thank you! Thank you!

Now, we can heartily recommend Invisalign as way to straighten your teeth, without anyone being aware.  They’re also more comfortable than traditional braces.  But, apparently now, if you’re a snacker, it could also be a way to ease you into new habits and new clothes.

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

I think my gum is infected, but my dentist said it is normal

I’m a little worried that my gum is infected. There is a dark line on the edge of it. I went to see my dentist, but he said that is normal when you have a crown and it is nothing to worry about.  I can’t help but worrying.  I can’t imagine that my gum being dark is normal.

Ginny D. – New Hampshire

Ginny,

I suspect that your dentist gave you porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns.  Those often develop a dark line at the gum line.  While your dentist is right that it is not an infection, that doesn’t mean you want a gray line visible every time you smile.

Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of it is to get new crowns.  Be sure not to get the porcelain fused to metal crowns again.  What you’ll want is to get an artistic cosmetic dentist to give you all porcelain crowns. You’ll find that not only will you not have to worry about any gray line turning up at your gumline, but you’ll have crowns that look much more natural than I suspect the ones you currently have do.

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

Crowns are getting old- can they be upgraded?

My dental crowns are getting old.  I don’t have time to do a new crown, which would mean two days away from work.  Can I just get the old ones upgraded a little so they are white again?

David R. – MN

David,

If by upgraded, you mean have your crowns whitened, then no.  There isn’t any kind of dental work, such as crowns, bonding, or veneers, that can be whitened by traditional teeth whitening. Instead, they have to be re-done.

I know you can’t get a lot of time off work.  In that case, I would consider CEREC crowns.  You can get them in just one appointment.  There is no need for a temporary crown.  The same day you go in for the initial appointment, you  get your permanent crown.

They’re made out of porcelain, just like regular porcelain crowns and are attractive and natural looking.

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

Straighten and Whiten your teeth at the same time

I’ve been saving money to make my teeth look better. I’ve got enough to straighten my teeth and whiten them.  Would it better to do the braces first or to whiten them first?

Nerry P. – Georgia

Nerry,

If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, you could do both at the same time.  You’ll find most patients prefer invisalign over traditional braces anyway. They’re more comfortable, more attractive, and finish much sooner.

You may click here to learn more about Invisalign.  If you’re dentist agrees, it is possible to use the invisalign aligners as whitening trays.  This way you can spend some of your time wearing the aligners with the whitening gel inside. In all likelihood, you’ll have briliant, white teeth before you’re even done straightening them, allowing you to witen your teeth and straighten them simultaneously.

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

Should I get MAC Veneers for the lab?

I’ve heard that MAC veneers have the best lab. I want to get porcelain veneers. Should I get MAC veneers for that reason?

Drew M. – Indiana

Drew,

MAC Veneers are made at a good lab, but I think you would be better served choosing the best cosmetic dentist and letting them choose the lab.  If you were having your dream home built, Would you spend your time examing lumber and nails or would you find the best contractor you could and let them decide on the materials?

You want to let your dentist choose which brand of porcelain veneers to use and which lab.  Creating a smile is an art and dentists who are artistic like to choose their own tools.  Choosing the right dentist is the single best thing you can do toward getting the best smile possible.

I suggest you you get a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. These dentists are held to the highest standards of technique and artistry.

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

Why are my veneers turning yellow?

I’ve only had my porcelain veneers for almost two months and they seem to be turning yellow. It’s quite disappointing, because I spent extra money to get my teeth whitened before I got my porcelain veneers. Now, my natural teeth are whiter than the teeth I had madeover. Is there some way to fix this?

Sienna P. – Maryland

Sienna,

I’m a little suspicous. If you’ve only had them for a little over a month, then they would retain their color for many years. If they’re turning yellow it means one of three things.

1. It’s possible they didn’t give you real porcelain veneers. but rather a cheaper resin material. If you thought they were giving your porcelain veneers and paid that price, it would be very dishonest and unethical for them to give you anything else.  You may consider going to another dentist and just asking what type of veneer have been placed.

2. The lab neglected to put the glaze on the veneers. While it is possible for this to happen it is certainly not common. However, it would explain why your veneers are picking up stains so quickly.

3. Something removed the glaze from the veneers. This can happen if your dental hygienist doesn’t understand how cosmetic dentistry works, they could have used something like a prophy jet on your veneers. That would have removed the glaze.

Whichever of these it is, you’ll need a second opinion from a dentist to help you figure out the actual cause and give you some options.

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