Valencia Doctors

Over The Years Incisors Have Become "Fang Teeth"--Should I Get Bonding or Veneers?

At sixty, my incisor teeth have become more pronounced. They were always fangs, but now it seems the space between them and other teeth is wider and they look even more pointed and shorter. My teeth are white and although I need a couple of crowns for cosmetic reasons, the rest are in good shape. Do they have to put veneers on the front teeth as well as the incisors? I really have issues with just the two fang teeth.

I am looking at your question and you are happy with your teeth and their color with the exception of the fangs and the spaces between the teeth. Both bonding and veneers will accomplish this for you. I would probably suggest that if you decide on veneers, I would do all four front teeth so they can be shapped and contoured and the color will be perfectly matched to give you a beautiful smile. However, this is dependent on how much you want to spend and you already mentioned you were happy with your front teeth. So the alternative to veneers is composite veneers or bonding . This process is done very quickly in the dental office. Your fangs can be shaped so the teeth are no longer pointed and can be made wider to close the gaps between these two teeth and the front ones.  If you go to a good dentist who has experience in bonding, this is the cheapest way to go. I would go this route first and if you are not happy with this, then explore veneers which are much more expensive and should involve four teeth .It will probably require reduction in the enamel so it is a permanent fix.  Once the enamel is reduced, there is no going back.  If you can use no prep veneers, and your teeth are not too large, there is no reduction and if you do not like them you take them off.  Start with the less invasive less expensive bonding and go from there.  Get two opinions and ask the doctors to show you before and after picutres of  patients having both procedures.  Good Luck!

George Koutsoukos, DDS

Valencia Cosmetic Dentist

I Have Spacing Issues, as Well as Periodontal Disease. Is Comestic Treatment Right for Me?

I'm 20 years old and have always had problems with my teeth. My folks never really made an issue about it just the regular dental visits and such. I've noticed they were spacing apart a couple of years ago and some are a bit sore like underneath my teeth. There's a constant itchy feeling but goes away after a few rinses using a strong mouth wash; i know i have periodontal disease and was wondering if I qualify for cosmetic treatment? I just want normal teeth like others have.

I am so sorry that your parents were remiss in not making sure you saw a dentist at least twice a year when you were a child.  Most of gum disease can be avoided by professional clleanings twice yearly and being taught proper hygiene; brushing and flossing after meals and before bedtime. You first need to address your gum disease and see a periodontist who can help put you on the right track.  Gum disease just gets worse if not treated and you are very young and you need to keep your permanent teeth. Your bone structure of your mouth is the foundation of your oral health along with your gums.  You want to make sure you get this under control first so you have healthy gums before you start cosmetic work.  if you do cosmetic first, you  take a chance of your teeth loosening and then you are looking at implants.  So please start seeing a periodontist and seek help for your gums.....you are young and you can reverse this!  Then get your cosmetic work and you will be happy with your smile as well as your mouth in general!

George Koutsoukos, DDS

Valencia Cosmetic Dentist

Professional Bleaching Didn't Whiten my Teeth. Why? What Other Options Are There?

In-office dental bleaching didn't whiten my teeth at all. Why did this happen? What other treatments are there available that guarantee whiter teeth?

Most in office bleaching does whiten everyone's teeth a few shades whiter than what they were in the beginning. I am sorry you did not achieve any change at all. It could have do with the stains or the color of your teeth or age, but I have never NOT seen it  work somewhat. The one system that we have seen work on the hardest to whiten teeth is KOR Whitening...it is a deep bleaching system.  We also use Rockstar Whitening and Zoom and achieve good results on most patients.  That being said, this did not work for you so my suggestion would be to go with veneers,  If your are happy with the shape of your teeth and you only want to change their color, I would try non prep veneers like lumineers which requires very little or no reduction of the tooth surface. If  you are unhappy, you can always have them removed. If your teeth are large and you do not like their proportion, veneers are a great solution for you! They are expensive but will give you the smile you have always wanted.  Make sure you consult t with more than one cosmetic dentist because this involves a lot of money on your part.

George Koutsoukos, DDS

Valencia Cosmetic Dentist