braces Archives - Susan M. Dennis, D.D.S

Will Teeth Whitening Solve Uneven Tooth Color?

Posted on April 29, 2023 by writeradmin.

My 15 year old daughter just got her braces off. When she did, there were white spots on them which made her teeth uneven. We went to see our family dentist and she suggested we have teeth Whitening done to even them out. We did that, but the white spots are still there and even more noticeable. Did something go wrong?

Callie

Dear Callie,

I’m glad you wrote. Teeth whitening is not a treatment for uneven teeth. While it is an amazing way to whiten your teeth, it is not a treatment for uneven color. Teeth whitening, no matter the method, will whiten your teeth evenly. This is why your daughter’s white spots are still there.

Fixing White Spots After Braces

While I am certain your dentist has the best of intentions, I’m not sure how well she understands her field. When you have white spots after braces, that is a sign of decalcification, which is a precursor to decay. This is a common problem with braces because it is tricky brushing and flossing around all those metal wires and brackets. I don’t know if you have any other teens that will need braces, but if so, I would recommend Invisalign. It is much easier for them to keep their teeth clean.

The solution to white spots is microabrasion and dental bonding. However, I would not have your dentist do this. Teeth whitening is THE most basic cosmetic procedure and she did not understand the principles behind how that worked. Dental bonding is a very advanced cosmetic procedure and has to be done freehand. I would look for an advanced cosmetic dentist to do this for your daughter.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Dental Implants for Baby Teeth

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Dr. Dennis.

I’m sixteen and still have baby canine teeth on the top. My mom wants to have them pulled so my other teeth will come in. I’m not too keen on having blank spaces, especially with yearbook pictures coming up. If the grown-up teeth don’t come in can I get dental implants?

Madison

Dear Madison,

Do you see a dentist regularly? I’m quite shocked that your dentist hasn’t dealt with this already. A diagnosis and treatment plan should already have been on the books for this. Personally, I think if you’ve been under the care of a dentist and he hasn’t dealt with it he’s being negligent.

The first thing you need is to get an x-ray to see why your adult canine teeth haven’t come in. There are generally two reasons. One, they’re impacted in which case you would need to have an orthodontist work with you to get them in their proper position.

A second reason would be you have congenitally missing canines. This does happen sometimes, where the adult teeth just never form. In that case, you’d have spaces which need to be dealt with. You’re a little young for dental implants because your jaw is still developing. But, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with blank spaces in your smile.

Options Until You’re Old Enough for Dental Implants

Dental Flipper: This is the least expensive option. It’s a single false tooth that can clip on to your other teeth. It’s meant to be a temporary fix.

Removable Partial Denture: This would last longer and likely feel more comfortable. It will put two false canine teeth which can be slipped onto the arch and fill in the blanks.

Once your jaw is completely developed, which will be after you graduate high school, then dental implants will be a fantastic solution for you. They feel and respond like natural teeth.

Make sure your teeth are the color you want before you get your implant crown crafted. Once the crown is completed, the color can’t be changed. So, once you’re ready to move forward with your dental implants, if you’re going to do teeth whitening, do it then. This may not be necessary for you. You’re young and probably don’t have a lot of staining on your teeth unless you’re a big coffee/tea drinker.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Susan Dennis.

Getting My Nephew a New Smile

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

For my nephew’s graduation, I offered to pay to get his smile fixed. He wants to be an actor and I’m sure an attractive smile is a must. He doesn’t want braces because they take too long. He’s talking about Lumineers. I looked into them a bit and they have mixed reviews. Can you advise us at all?

Brenda

Dear Brenda,

I’m sure I can help you here. You’re right to be a bit wary about Lumineers. There are many great cosmetic dentists which find them subpar. That’s mostly because they insist they be made in their lab, which isn’t known for its artistry. You have a couple of choices here.

Invisalign and Teeth Whitening

He doesn’t have to get his traditional braces in order to straighten his teeth. There have been great advancements in orthodontics. One such advancement is Invisalign. This uses clear aligners to straighten teeth. It’s more efficient than braces and is completely invisible, even at a conversational distance.

It has an additional benefit too. He may not need it at his young age, but the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This will allow him to whiten and straighten his teeth at the same time. Saving both time and money.

This is the treatment I’d recommend if all that’s off with his smile is they need to be straightened. If there are other issues, such as chips, gaps, etc., then I’d go for something else.

Total Smile Makeover

I wouldn’t recommend Lumineers, but seeing as that is only one brand of porcelain veneers, you have nothing to worry about. Find a cosmetic dentist who does beautiful smile makeovers. Make sure you see examples of their work before you agree so you know if it’s beautiful.

The dentist will probably pick a different brand, but that’s okay Trust him or her to know which brand of porcelain veneers will do the best job for your nephew.

This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.

Dental Flipper to Make Teeth Look Straight

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Dr. Dennis.

I am way too old to wear ugly metal braces but am tired of my teeth not being attractive. I have one tooth that sticks out more than the others and they’re pretty yellow all around. Could I just get a dental flipper to snap on my teeth and make them look straight so I am no longer embarrassed by my teeth?

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

I think there may be some confusion here. I placed an image of a dental flipper to the left. these are designed as temporary tooth replacements meant to hold the space open until your permanent tooth replacement came in. It isn’t designed to make your teeth look straight.

Snap-on Smile

You may be thinking of the Snap-on Smile. These do snap over your teeth. One thing to consider with them is because they go over your teeth, they can sometimes look bulky. This will be more true in your case because you already have that one tooth that sticks out. Another thing to look at is they are made of acrylic. They won’t look as natural or beautiful as something like porcelain veneers, nor will they last as long. I would plan on replacing it every few years.

I do have an alternative for you, though, which will be a permanent solution and won’t require metal braces.

Invisalign— the Alternative to Braces

In your place, I would look into Invisalign. These straighten your teeth, in less time than traditional braces, without anyone even knowing. That is because instead of using metal wires and brackets, it uses clear aligners and a sophisticated computer software program to plan out your treatment and design the aligners.

You simply pop the aligners in and go about your day. Every two weeks, you will switch them out for a new set that will move your teeth just a bit more.

Straightening and Whitening Your Teeth Simultaneously

You mentioned your teeth have yellowed over time. That happens to all of us. Fortunately, because Invisalign aligners are custom fit to your bite, they can double as teeth whitening trays. Simply ask your dentist for some professional strength teeth whitening gel and you can wear them in your aligners each day. This allows you to whiten your teeth while you are straightening them. It’s a two-for-one. To me, this is a much better solution for you both financially and in terms of creating a smile you won’t be ashamed of anymore.

This blog is brought to you by Invisalign dentist Dr. Susan Dennis of Portage, MI.