Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Teeth Whitening Wore Off In a Few Weeks

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I was trying to save money on teeth whitening. I saw a bunch of great reviews for this whitening kit Luster Premium. I got it and while my teeth did get whiter pretty fast it only lasted a few weeks. Did I do something wrong? Like do I need a special toothpaste for it? I just want an affordable way to get white teeth.

Evan

Dear Evan,

Teeth whitening trays in a blue case

It does not sound like you have done anything wrong. I’ve looked into this whitening kit and I believe the problem you are facing has more to do with their “super whitener” which I would not accurately call a whitener at all. Instead, it uses zinc oxide which is a pigment. It essentially paints your teeth whiter temporarily. I suspect the great reviews you read were from those who noticed the initial whiter color and wrote their review before it had worn off.

While there are a few over the counter whitening kits that do work, such as Crest Whitestrips, you are not likely to save money using them. This is because these kits will not be nearly as strong as the professional teeth whitening that you would get from your dentist. You would have to purchase a LOT of kits to do the same thing that one round of treatment would do with your dentist. That costs you not just money, but time as well— an even more precious commodity.

If you are just worried about the upfront cost of doing it through a dentist, talk to your dentist about that. He or she may be willing to work out a payment plan with you. If not, there are plenty of dentists who keep their prices affordable who will be willing to work with you. I’d recommend going right after having your teeth cleaned so the results will be even.

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Fixing a Crooked Front Tooth

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I need some advice. I have a front tooth that is a bit crooked and goes behind the other tooth. I keep getting different advice from different dentists. One said porcelain veneers. One said braces. Another suggested I just pull the crooked tooth and replace it with something called a dental implant. I looked that up and it looks like it requires surgery. Are there other options if I pull the tooth? I feel I’m too old for braces.

Harriet

Dear Harriet,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

Who in the world are these dentists? First, I’m going to say do NOT extract a healthy tooth. Whoever that dentist is, run as fast as you can. If the tooth is unsaveable, that is something altogether. Let me know if that is the case and then my advice will be different. Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option, but there are others. I wouldn’t worry about those, though, unless there is a problem with the tooth you haven’t mentioned.

Of the choices they gave you, orthodontics and porcelain veneers are viable options. Let’s start with porcelain veneers. These won’t actually make your teeth straight, but could make them look straight. The downside to these is they are very expensive, AND you will want to go to an expert, which will be more expensive.

As for orthodontics, braces are no longer the only option. My recommendation is for you to see a dentist who offers Invisalign. These use clear aligners instead of the metal wires and brackets that are used with braces. No one will know that you are straightening your teeth, even at a conversational distance. Plus, they work in a fraction of the time that it takes traditional braces.

They also have an additional benefit. The aligners used to straighten your teeth can also double as teeth whitening trays. This allows you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. If I were in your position, this is the option I would take.

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A Second Opinion on Invisalign?

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I understood that Invisalign was a good option for adults who wanted to straighten their teeth. I’ve had several friends use it with great success. I didn’t think my teeth were much worse than theirs, but when I went to see my dentist about it he told me that it wasn’t good at fixing misaligned teeth and I should just get braces. Is that accurate? I’d like to get a second opinion. If it is, what are my options?

Peter

Dear Peter,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

I’m not sure why your dentist said that Invisalign was not a good option for fixing misalignments. This is exactly what the aligners were made for. Please understand, I do not know who your dentist is, so I cannot tell you definitively if this is the case, but two things come to mind as possible reasons for saying it was not a good option.

The first is that he has not kept up with the developments in the dental field very well. While it is true that when Invisalign first came onto the market it was only useful for the most ideal of cases, now it is able to handle all but the most complicated of cases. Your dentist simply may not be aware of this.

The second is that he does not offer Invisalign and, if he refers you to a dentist who does, you may switch dentists permanently instead of just for this procedure.

My suggestion is that you find a dentist who does do the procedure and have your teeth straightened there. As a side note, the aligners used to straighten your teeth are also able to double as teeth whitening trays. This means you can straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. You’d simply have to ask your dentist to provide you with the whitening gel and then wear it inside your aligners at your convenience.

Just make sure to have your teeth professionally cleaned before starting the whitening. Otherwise the results will end up blotchy.

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Fixing Protruding Teeth

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I finally have some money to fix my teeth. Mostly I am dealing with some front teeth that stick out. I’m not opposed to braces, but I am 53 and wondering if there is something better for someone my age? I know I’m a little late to the game in getting my teeth straightened. I just want a pretty smile for once.

Sylvia

Dear Sylvia,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

There is no late to the game when it comes to a beautiful smile. You get there when you can. I know a woman who is straightening her teeth in her 80s. Looking at it that way, you’re ahead of the game. You have a couple of options. The first is traditional braces, which you have already mentioned.

However, I would like to recommend you look into Invisalign (pictured above). This uses clear aligners to straighten your teeth. No one will know you are even using orthodontics. They are invisible even at a conversational distance. They are more comfortable than traditional braces and work in half the time.

There is an additional benefit to using Invisalign instead of traditional braces. The clear aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. This way you can straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time for a fraction of the cost. Your dentist will just have to provide you with the whitening gel, which you can wear in the aligners at your convenience.

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

Cost of Snap on Veneers

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I have a couple of missing teeth and some others that just look terrible. I want to get some snap on veneers, which I have read are less expensive than the regular porcelain veneers. However, I don’t want to go to the dentist’s office to order them and find out that I can’t afford them. Can you give me an idea of the cost?

Stanford

Dear Stanford,

Illustration of Snap-on Smile

It is hard to give you actual costs because a lot of it will depend on your specific case. Dentists can sometimes give you a ballpark, but do not think it is written in stone. Things can change.

The most popular type of snap-on veneers are Snap-on Smile. Based on some lab fees by the company that produces them, I would expect the cost to be somewhere between $1000-$2000. Yes, that is a big difference. Here are some of the factors:

  • ✔️ How many do you need? A full arch? The first six teeth?
  • ✔️ How many adjustments need to be made for a good fit?
  • ✔️ Is your dentist particular about getting as perfect a fit as possible or does he or she care more about saving on the cost and will do the bare minimum?

I want to make sure that you understand the difference between snap on veneers and porcelain veneers. Snap-on veneers are NOT made of porcelain. They are generally made of a acrylic. You will need to understand that these will not look nearly as natural or beautiful as porcelain veneers will. They’ll be decent. Most people use these for a specific event, such as a reunion, job interview, or photo shoot. They’ll only last a few years either way.

As long as you understand the limitations to them and have reasonable expectations on the appearance, then you should be fine. In the meantime, while wearing the snap-ons, I highly recommend saving for a permanent solution for your missing teeth such as dental implants. They are pricey, so it may take a while, but they are definitely worth it.

If you’re looking for an affordable solution for the teeth you have that just aren’t looking all that great at the moment, then I would recommend something like teeth whitening.

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

How Often Do I Need to See an Invisalign Dentist?

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I have been saving up for Invisalign treatment for a while. I have all the money ready. However, since then, we have moved. Our new location is two and a half hours away from the nearest Invisalign dentist. I know that we get aligners every two weeks. The problem I have is the distance. That would be five hours just in driving. On top of that I would have to add the time for the actual appointment, gas stops, and I’d probably need to eat and use the restroom at some point. I have four kids and don’t want to drag them on such a long trip every two weeks. It’s also not tenable for me to hire a sitter so often. Is there a way a dentist would be willing to work with me on maybe not coming quite so often?

Sylvia

Dear Sylvia,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

I am glad that you wrote. You certainly have your hands full. You’re also extremely disciplined if you were able to save up that money while meeting the needs of four children. That’s impressive!

You should know that while you switch out the Invisalign aligners every two weeks, we generally give you two pairs of aligners so that you are only actually coming in once a month. However, given your situation, you may be able to get your dentist to stretch that out even further. A lot of that would depend on how complex your particular case is. If there isn’t anything that would require a lot of monitoring, your dentist may be able to give you a few months worth at a time.

You should know that Invisalign aligners can also double as teeth whitening trays. I don’t know if that is something you are even interested in or need. If you are, it is a great way to save some extra money by knocking two procedures out at once. Plus, because the aligners can fill in for the bleaching trays, you will not have to worry about the additional cost of have bleaching trays made. The only thing you’d have to pay for is the bleaching gel itself, which is not very expensive.

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Smile Direct Ditched Me

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I was a patient of SmileDirectClub and then in December they went out of business. I thought they would at least send me the remaining aligners, but that hasn’t been the case. I’ve been wearing the same ones since then. What do I do? Is there another company like them?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

A SmileDirectClub image with an X through it

Are you sure you want another company like them? The problem with SmileDirectClub, is their product only worked for some people. If it didn’t work and you complained about it, you would not get a refund unless you removed your complaint and signed a non-disclosure agreement. This, in part, is what put them out of business.

So many people had things go wrong, that eventually there was a court case that ruled they could no longer require those non-disclosure agreements, plus it released about 17,000 that were already in effect. This allowed clients to share their negative experiences and the company went into bankruptcy shortly after that.

They’ve told their clients, that they will no longer be helping them. If they’re in the middle of treatment, too bad. However, they do expect those who were on a payment plan to continue paying. Nice, right?

Any other mail order service, like SmileDirect, is going to have similar problems. The reason for this is every human body is unique. Sometimes our body’s follows the treatment plan to a tee. Most times, adjustments need to be made as we progress. When you are not under the care of a dentist, these needed adjustments get missed. That puts the health of your teeth in danger. They could even come loose.

My suggestion is to finish out your treatment, do it through an Invisalign dentist. This will give you the care you need. As a bonus, the aligners can double as teeth whitening trays, so you can save some extra money by getting some professional strength whitening gel from your dentist and having your teeth whitening done at the same time as your get your teeth straightened.

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

Is A Cracked Crown A Dental Emergency?

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I had six dental crowns placed quite a few years ago for a smile makeover. They’ve served me well. One of them has always had a small defect but it was not a problem. My dentist said these type of defects are common and harmless. You couldn’t really see it but my dentist was scrupulously honest (a trait I value) and told me about it. Since that time, she has retired and I am with a new dentist. I’m not quite as familiar with his character and have developed a dilemma of sorts. The dental crown that has the defect has changed somewhat. I can now see a line and feel it with my tongue. It’s a bit like a crack. I’m not opposed to replacing it, I just wanted to know if this would be an emergency appointment or if it can wait.

Regina

Dear Regina,

An image of a porcelain crown being placed on a tooth

It is a wonderful thing when you have a caregiver you truly trust. Hopefully, your new dentist will have the same integrity. I would not call the crack in your crown a dental emergency, but you will want to replace it at your earliest convenience. You mentioned that you had six porcelain crowns made at the same time. I am not certain how old they are. However, if they are getting up in years you have a couple of options.

First, you can just replace them as they are needing to be replaced one at a time. That could result in quite a few trips to the dentist. Another option is to replace them all at once. This is initially more expensive but you will save time.

I don’t actually recommend this if they are still in good shape. If they are, they could serve you well for many years. Have your new dentist assess them. Once their condition is determined you can decide what is the best option for you.

I will mention if you had any plans to whiten your teeth in the near future, make certain you do that before you have your crowns replaced. You can match dental crowns to the color of your natural teeth, but the crowns will not whiten after they are completed.

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Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

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I have always been embarassed by my smile. I am finally in a position to do something about it. I was hoping to get Invisalign to straighten my teeth, which is the biggest embarassment, and when that is done get some teeth whitening done. Someone told me that Invisalign is for teenagers. Because I am 55, does that disqualify me from getting them? I was hoping to avoid a mouth full of metal at this point in my life.

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

I think it is awesome that you are ready and able to improve your smile. The short answer is no, you are not too old to get Invisalign. While this orthodontic treatment is popular with many teenagers, the treatment itself was originally designed for adults. Many adults want to straighten their teeth but because they are in a professional setting they don’t because the junior high look of a metal mouth could impact how they are viewed at work. When Invisalign came out, it was a game changer. In fact, a group of dentists I know once talked about how old their Invisalign patients were to get an idea of whose getting them the most, and one of them had an 81 year old patient! You are practically a child in comparison.

You should know, that if you go ahead with Invisalign, you will not have to wait until your treatment is over in order to have your teeth whitened. The aligners can double as professional teeth whitening trays. Then, all your dentist has to do is provide you with the gel, which you can wear simultaneously with with aligners at a time that is most convenient to you. Not only will this give you a smile makeover, but in a shorter time frame AND it will save you money.

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Am I Too Old for Invisalign?

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I’m seventy two years old and have always been embarrassed by my smile. Growing up, my parents could not afford braces. They worked hard, but such luxuries were still out of reach. Now, I’m way to old for a mouth full of metal and my skin is pretty paper thin so it cuts easily. Several of the young teenagers at my church are getting their teeth straightened with this thing called Invisalign. You can’t even tell there is anything on their teeth. I asked them about it and they said it doesn’t hurt. Am I too old to get this? I like the idea of getting my teeth straightened. There’s a widow in my book group and I’ve always wanted to smile at him and get his attention. This might give me the confidence.

Esther

Dear Esther,

Upper Invisalign Aligner

First, let me say right off the bat that I think you are awesome! You chat with the teens at your church and have your eye on a fella. You ROCK. Second, you are emphatically NOT too old to get Invisalign. Though it is popular among teens, it was originally designed for adults. To put you even more at ease about your age and Invisalign, there is a study group (The Molis Group) who get together and discuss various cases and techniques. They did a survey of dentists in the group about the ages of their patients. There were several in their 80s. However, that is not an age limit. That was just from that particular group.

You are perfectly safe to get Invisalign as long as your teeth are healthy. There is a hidden benefit too, that may help you get the attention of that widow. The aligners can double as teeth whitening trays. Your dentist can provide you with teeth whitening gel that you use in the aligners at your convenience. By the time you are done with your orthodontic treatment, you will not only have straight teeth, but youthfully white ones too! You’ll look at least a decade younger.

You’ve got this!
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