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Archives for March 2013

How do you get recommended?

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I noticed you are recommended on the mynewsmile.com website. I’m researching a dentist in my state who is also recommended. I thought because I live too far away to get to you, you would be honest with me. How does someone get recommended on that site? Do you just pay for advertisement to get on or is it something else? I’m going to get porcelain veneers and I want to make sure they get done right.

Geanine-Arizona

Geanine,

You’re very wise to investigate this carefully.  One of the worst things that can happen when getting a smile makeover, is to go to an unqualified cosmetic dentist. Porcelain veneers can give you a gorgeous smile, but only if they are done by someone who is artistic. You’re wondering if someone recommended on mynewsmile can do that.

To answer your question, if a dentist is recommended on their site, you can trust that the dentist is  not only well trained in cosmetic dentistry procedures, but has a high level of artistry too. They screen their dentists very carefully. They have to verify the post-graduate training they’ve received and also send examples of their work to show the level of artistry they put into it. You cannot buy your way onto the site.

I hope that helps you.

This blog is brought to you by York PA Dentist Dr. Donald Currie.

Ugly Bridge

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I’ve had a bridge since I was in my 20s. I never was happy with it. It looked cloudy and too bulky.  I have had it re-done by a cosmetic dentist. It was better, but still looked a little fake. The bigger problem was it kept coming out. My dentist glued it back in a few times, but said that the real problem was my overbite. He felt as long as my teeth were out of place that the bridge would not stay on.

I went to an orthodontist in order to get my overbite fixed. He worked on my teeth and straightened them. The made my bridge worse. He offered to make it look less bulky and filed it down. He filed it down so much that now you can see the metal.

I was planning on getting the bridge re-done at some point, but now I have to get it done right away, which I’m not sure I can afford. Is there a way to get the orthodontist to cover part of the expense?  Also, my “cosmetic” dentist didn’t seem to do that great of a job. Are my expectations unreasonable? I just want them to look like my other teeth. When I told him I didn’t like the bridge and how it looked next to my teeth, he suggested I get all my front teeth crowned with a bridge so they will look uniform. I just don’t think I want to grind all my healthy teeth down. What do you recommend?

Alicia B.- Staten Island, NY

Alicia,

First let me say you do not have unrealistic expectations. Not only should your bridge look natural, but it can look beautiful as well. You’ve been through a lot with this bridge, so lets see if we can give you a good experience.

One of the problems I’ve seen is that you are assuming anyone who calls themselves a cosmetic dentist actually is.  There is not a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry. That means any general dentist who learns a few cosmetic procedures can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. What you’re really looking for is someone who has gotten a lot of post-graduate cosmetic training. Of course that is hard for you to find out on your own. I recommend you go to the mynewsmile.com website and see who they recommend for your area. This site screens cosmetic dentists for their training and artistry. You’ll be safe with anyone recommended on that list. I peaked at their list and their isn’t anyone listed from Staten Island. There is several listed in Manhattan, which is just a short ferry ride away. It would be worth some short travel to have it done properly.

I don’t think your dentist is a good fit. First, your overbite wasn’t the bonding problem. He should have been able to fit it to your bite. Secondly, a good cosmetic dentist should not have to do all your teeth to get them to match. In fact, that is a bad plan for you. Anytime something goes wrong with just one of your teeth you’ll have to replace the whole bridge unit. If you’re wanting to re-do more of your teeth, then you should replace the bridge unit (make sure it is all-porcelain), and put porcelain veneers on the remainder of the teeth you’re wanting to change.

I do think you can get some compensation from your orthodontist. If he has a conscious, he is feeling a little guilty for what happened. I would start by asking nicely and explaining that you didn’t have the funds to replace it right now, but based on what happened you’re kind of stuck needing to. Ask him to pay for half of the bridge replacement cost.

This blog is brought to you by York PA Dentist Dr. Donald Currie.