Ans. We can show you how crowded teeth can look straighter as well as improving tooth length on teeth worn short before starting treatment. By doing procedures called mock-up or fabrication of a removable overlay a preview of the proposed change can be see before actual treatment is started.
What do you have to do to my teeth?
Ans. It depends on what you want to accomplish. Teeth that tilt inward can often be brought forward greatly improving esthetics with little use of the drill. Large alignment problems or teeth with decay or multiple existing fillings may require more aggressive preparation to use veneers or may need to have full coverage crowns made.
Can’t you fix the teeth that show when I smile with something you paint on or with “bonding”?
Ans. Painting something on the teeth sounds great, but will almost never create the lasting change the patient is looking for. There are situations in which “bonding”(composite resin) is appropriate just as there are appropriate situations for veneers or crowns. The key is to perform the least invasive treatment needed to solve the patient’s problem.
How long do veneers and crowns last?
Ans. A correctly prepared and impressioned tooth for a veneer or crown when well cared for by proper brushing and flossing can potentially last more than twenty years in a patient with healthy dietary choices. Dental restorations have two life spans. The first is how long will the veneer or crown not break or fall off. This could be many decades. The second and critically important life span is how long the veneer or crown functions properly and look like the day it was first placed the mouth. This can vary depending on proper hygiene, diet, and absence of detrimental biting habits.
Can I still whiten my teeth when I have veneers?
Ans. No, you should not attempt to whiten veneered or crowned teeth. First, the peroxide bleach used will not change the color of the restored tooth. Secondly, the bleach may alter the integrity of the adhesive holding the veneer. Almost always our patients will have a tooth whitening procedure performed prior to starting a porcelain veneer case.
What does the treatment cost and how do I have to pay for it?
Ans. Usually there is a “case” fee. This is based on the complexity of the case as well as the number of teeth that need treatment. We offer a number of different payment options which can vary dependent on the length of time or number of visits needed to complete the planned work. The goal is that payment is made over the course of the treatment so that by the end of treatment the fee is fully paid. For those individuals who need additional time to pay for treatment, we can arrange financing through one of several companies we use. This can allow fees to be paid over as much as five years if necessary.
Patients interested in treatment by Dr. Brother are welcome to talk with these and other patients who have had their smiles transformed by Dr. Brother before committing to care at www.smilesbydesign.info. Smiles by Design is located in Lexington MA, 781-674-9995, e-mail Lexington Arlington Dentist Web Mail.
Lexington Arlington Cosmetic Dentist – Dental Veneers, Crowns, Implants, Sedation Smiles by Design – David Brother, DMD,FAGD, specializing in dental implants, cosmetic dentistry and reconstructive dentistry.
