Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

I was so excited about redoing my smile…until I saw the cost.

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Can you explain why getting smile makeover is so expensive.  I had ramped myself up to get one and was so excited, because I’ve always hated my teeth. But when I realized the prize it was heartbreaking. Is there an affordable way to redo a smile?

Tina P. – Michigan

Tina,

I’m guessing you priced porcelain veneers. Yes, they can be costly. The materials alone are expensive and they require a high level of training and skill. Plus, there are lab fees. However, there are other ways to give yourself a smile makeover that are more affordable.

You didn’t mention what it is about your teeth that bother you, but I have a few procedures that I can recommend, which cost less that porcelain veneers.

  • Teeth Whitening: This procedure alone can make your smile look years younger
  • Invisalign: The allows patients to straighten their teeth without anyone knowing. No bulky, metal braces.
  • Dental Bonding: This works great for things like chipped teeth or small gaps.

All of those are affordable. I hope you find something that works for you.

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

Can any dentist do teeth whitening?

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I have a great general dentist. He’s good at what he does and very dependable. However, I want my teeth whitened. I asked him to recommend a good cosmetic dentist, but he said he could do the job himself. I wondered if that was true or I needed someone who was a specialist?

Denae H. – Florida

Denae,

There is a common misconception that cosmetic dentistry is a recognized specialty. In fact, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. There are some cosmetic procedures, such as porcelain veneers, that would require some additional training. In those cases you’d want someone with some expertise and artistry.

Teeth whitening is different. Any dentist can do it. It’s fairly straight forward. I’d go ahead and let your general dentist do it.

Enjoy your new smile.

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

Reunion Troubles

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So, here is the story. When I went to High School I  had horrible buck teeth. I was mercilessly teased.  I was also overweight and had acne (of course). Since getting out of high school, I have lost a ton of weight and my acne is gone.  I’ve got a class reunion coming up next year. Is there any chance I can get my teeth in decent shape before then? I actually look pretty good as is, but fixing my teeth would just be the icing on the cake.  It would be nice for them to realize there was a gorgeous person underneath the gal they tortured. I promise not to go all “Carrie” on them.

Beth Q.- Michigan

Beth,

Well, as long as promise not to go all homicidal telekinetic, then I guess I can help.  A year would not be enough time for traditional braces; however, Invisalign is an orthodontic procedure that can fix your teeth in about half the time as traditional means.

Another upside is even if the treatment is not completed, no one would be able to tell you are wearing them.  They’re invisible even at a conversational distance.  But, if you were concerned, they could be removed for that one evening. In fact, I’d probably recommend that. You’ll be eating on and off during the gathering and it would simplify things.

As you’re hoping to knock  their socks off with your new smile, I might suggest going one step further.  Nothing makes you look younger than whitening your teeth.  You might be able to convince your dentist into letting your invisalign aligners double as teeth whitening trays, which will knock out two treatments simultaneously.

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

Can I Whiten Fake Teeth?

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When I was born, I was missing my two lateral incisors so I had two fake incisors placed in my mouth. Currently, I have a retainer and the two fake teeth replacing my laterals. My plan is to get implants in the next two years. I have very yellow teeth and want to whiten them a bit. Do fake teeth whiten?

– Dave in Oklahoma

Dave,
The bad news is that prosthetic teeth do not whiten. Many patients do not realize it but only natural teeth whiten, meaning teeth with veneers, porcelain crowns, or composite bonding will not whiten, including your teeth on your retainer. The whitening agent must come into contact with a live surface, like your natural tooth. Whitening agents allow the pores in the enamel to open and remain open reaching the dentin, which is the underlying material in the tooth. The oxygen in the whitening agent penetrates the dentin layer where more whitening takes place and makes it last.

Teeth that have root canals with no porcelain crown on them will not whiten either unless your dentist preforms internal tooth bleaching. This is done by drilling a small hole behind the tooth and adding a whitening agent within the tooth. This procedure may whiten the tooth, however it may never get as white as the other teeth and it may require some type of permanent dental restoration placed on the surface to match the other teeth.

We recommend that you bleach your teeth approximately one month before your porcelain crowns are placed on the dental implants. This will make it easier for the dentist to match your new crowns to your new tooth color. If you are not interested in waiting two years to whiten your teeth, then whiten them now and have a new retainer made to match your new tooth color after you’re done with bleaching. It may cost you several hundred dollars for a new retainer, however if your tooth color is unsatisfactory to you, it may be worth the cost. If you elect to have your teeth whitened now, be sure you touch up your smile and whiten again right before your crowns are made.

This blog brought to you by Dr. Noah of Region Dental

Does Professional Whitening Work?

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I would like to know if it’s worth going to the dentist to have professional tooth whitening done?
I looked at using Crest whitening strips and tried them but they didn’t make much of a difference for me. How much does it cost and how often does it have to be done?
– Mike from Oklahoma

Mike,
To answer your question, professional whitening procedures at the dental office do work well and can dramatically lighten your teeth. Any whitening product bought over the counter or a treatment from your dentist can be harmful to your enamel if it is over-used.

The products over the counter may lighten teeth a couple of shades, however this is more of a temporary lightening and the product has to be used over and over again in order to maintain brightness. The reason for this is because over-the-counter bleaching products are not as concentrated as the ones used in dental offices. You could compare the difference to the drugs – Ibuprofen versus Percocet, with Percocet being far stronger.

When you choose to have your teeth whitened at the dental office, you can be sure that your teeth will remain white and bright for several years but this will also depend on your diet. Dark liquids, smoking and other habits can discolor your teeth quicker. However, if you watch what you eat, you should be happy with the results from your dentist.
It is recommended that patients see their dental professional every few years to touch up their teeth if they notice a darkening of the teeth. This is fairly inexpensive.

Most dentists have two types of whitening procedures. One is an in-office procedure where a bleaching agent is applied to your teeth and a light is placed over your teeth to activate the bleaching product. This procedure generally takes about two hours and boosts up the color of your teeth several shades. This may cost several hundred dollars.
Another option is to have bleach trays made and you can bleach your teeth in the comfort of your own home. This procedure is less expensive than the dental office and it works just as well.

It is important that you consult with your dentist to see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening and what product would be the best fit for you.

This blog brought to you by Dr. Noah of Region Dental

Should I See a Dentist for Professional Whitening?

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I want to whiten my teeth as they’re looking yellowish and dull in tone. I don’t want to use Crest strips as they don’ seem to work that well for me. I’m considering getting professional whitening with a dentist. Does it really work well and how much does it cost? Also, how often does it need to be done?

 – Mark in Oklahoma

Dear Mark,

If you’re looking to effectively whiten your teeth, seeing a dentist is a wise move.  They will give you dramatically whiter teeth without the hassle. Also, it’s important to know that any whitening product bought over the counter or treatment from your dentist, can be harmful to your enamel if it’s over-used. Products that you buy over the counter may lighten teeth a couple of shades, however it’s very temporary and the product must be used over and over to maintain tooth brightness. The reason is because these bleaching products are not as strong as what the dentist uses.

If you opt for professional teeth bleaching at the dental office, teeth tend to remain white and bright for several years. They usually never go back to the original shade but colorful diets, dark liquids and tobacco habits do discolor teeth quicker. We recommend patients touch up every few years if they notice darkening of the teeth. Touching up the teeth is a procedure that’s fairly inexpensive.

Most dentists have two types of whitening procedures available. One is an in-office procedure where a bleaching agent is applied to your teeth and a light is placed over your teeth to activate the bleaching product. This takes approximately two hours and brightens up the color of your teeth several shades. This may cost several hundred dollars.

Another option is to have bleach trays constructed and you can bleach your teeth in the comfort of your own home. This procedure is less expensive than the in-office treatment and works just as well.

We recommend you consult with your dentist to see if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening and which product is most suitable for your teeth.

This blog brought to you by Dr. Noah of Region Dental.

Can I bleach my non-veneered teeth?

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I have veneers and wanted to know if over-the-counter products like Crest White Strips will ruin or damage my veneers? I’ve noticed that over time, my other teeth look yellow in comparison to my veneers and the color change is noticeable between my natural teeth and the veneers. I want to bleach my natural teeth to match the veneers but don’t want to damage the expensive veneers. What do you recommend?
– Brent from Oklahoma

Brent,
If you want to bleach your natural teeth, you may use over-the-counter whitening products such as: Crest Whitestrips and products by other manufacturers but only for limited situations. The strips hold peroxide in a gel that’s attached to the strip. When you affix the strip to your tooth, it allows the peroxide to penetrate your teeth and whiten them.

If you decide to use other products with powders, rinses or toothpastes, these won’t be that effective as they’re on the teeth briefly and don’t penetrate the teeth. Also, some of these products are acidic and etch the tooth surface. The teeth may look white for a few days but then they start attracting stains and look darker because the etched surface easily attracts stains.

The challenge when using the White Strips is that they’re designed to cover only your front six teeth so if you’re attempting to reach the natural teeth that aren’t in the front, you’ll need to cut the strips and try to fit them to your teeth that are further back. This is a hassle.

The other issue with the strips is they whiten slowly because the peroxide bleach is fairly weak as it’s sold over the counter and can’t be too strong. The strips are also expensive and may end up costing you more than if you had your teeth whitened in a dental office.

The best solution would be to see a dentist and have your teeth bleached properly. Dentists have experience with bleaching and use stronger peroxide that easily covers your teeth.

Bleach won’t harm your veneers and they won’t change color. You may notice slight lightening of your veneered teeth, but this will come from behind the tooth and won’t affect the look from the front.

For more information about Dr. Noah, visit Region Dental.