Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Are Orthodontics Required to Replace Crowns?

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I have had two crowns on my front teeth for a while. They are starting to show their age and really need to be replaced. For some reasons, my dentist is insisting that I do orthodontics first before he’ll replace my dental crowns. It’s not that I don’t want straight teeth, but I just can’t afford them. Is this just a preference thing or will I face this with every dentist?

Miranda

Dear Miranda,

A dentist and patient
It is unfair to patients when a dentist insists on the ideal treatment, regardless of circumstances

I have to admit that it annoys me when dentists behave this way. Yes, having straight teeth is the ideal, but if you cannot afford orthodontic work, then you can’t afford it.

Obviously, you can have dental crowns placed when your teeth aren’t straight or you wouldn’t have any now. This is a preference issue on the part of your dentist.

In all honesty, I’m going to suggest you find another dentist. Look for one who is willing to work within the budget of his patients. You could do an internet search for an “affordable dentist” in your area.

Benefits of an Affordable Dentist

If you find an affordable dentist, they’ll be willing to work within your budget. They’re also willing to stage treatments, so you don’t have to do everything at once. Additionally, they will often have payment plans. Some of them have in-house plans and some of them work through Care Credit.

Getting a Crown on Your Front Teeth

One thing you want to be careful of, regardless of where you go to get your crowns done, is that they only give you all-porcelain crowns on your front teeth.

A metal-based crown will not look right on front teeth. They will be too opaque. They will also develop a gray line on the gumline.

If You Ever Decide to Get Orthodontics

When you do decide you are able to get orthodontics (and that should be completely up to you) you no longer have to get metal wires and brackets. These days, you have the option of “invisible braces”.

Invisalign is the most popular brand which utilizes clear aligners. These gently guide your teeth into their correct position.

I hope this helps you. This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.

Is It Possible My Tooth Gap Will Close?

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I’m seventeen years old. My teeth are completely straight and healthy except for a small gap between my front teeth. I know that I’ve kind of lucked out in the teeth department but the small gap between the two front teeth really bugs me. My wisdom teeth still haven’t come in. Is there a possibility when they do come in it will push the gap closed? If not, is there something I can do to close it that doesn’t include a mouth full of metal?

Amanda P.

Dear Amanda,

While it is possible that the eruption of your wisdom teeth could shift your top arch and close the gap, there are also a few things that could keep that from happening.

First, the gap could be too large. That may mean that your teeth shift, but not enough to close the gap completely.

Second, there is a small piece of tissue in between your two front teeth which is known as a frenum. Most people who have a gap between their teeth, the frenum is the cause. In some patients, the frenum is so large they need to have it removed so that the gap can be closed with orthodontics.

impacted wisdom teeth

Third, not everyone’s wisdom teeth come in straight. If they do, great. But, many patients have to have their wisdom teeth removed because they end up impacted. If that’s the case with your wisdom teeth, they won’t be available to push your diastema (tooth gap) closed. The above image shows you what impacted wisdom teeth can look like.

If it happens that you aren’t able to use your wisdom teeth to shift everything, there’s still hope. And, it won’t require a mouth full of metal.

You could use Invisalign. These are invisible aligners that can close the gap for you in a more effective and comfortable way than traditional braces.

If you don’t want to use orthodontics at all, you can go the cosmetic route. The simplest procedure is to have dental bonding done by a good cosmetic dentist. It uses composite material, similar to what you’d find with white fillings to fill in the gap. You want an experienced cosmetic dentist in order to ensure they’ll be able to make it look natural.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Invisalign or braces?

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If I’ve got crowding on the bottom of my teeth will invisalign work? How much is it? Are they better than regular braces? I’m 19 and still have some wisdom teeth coming in, but I’ve already got a crowding problem.

J. T. from Atlanta

J.T.,

Both Invisalign and traditional braces work equally well. Invisalign works faster, is not noticeable and is more comfortable, but not everyone is a candidate. If you’re only real issue is overcrowding, you may be a perfect candidate. Their cost is about the same, though it will cost you several thousand dollars. If you have dental insurance, it will help a little, but not a lot.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.