Alpharetta Cosmetic Dentists

Is It Necessary to Level out Chipped Teeth Before a Veneer Can Be Placed? (photo)

My front two teeth chipped when I fell down the stairs. My dentist has given me a choice of getting either veneers or crowns. But he is edging towards Zirconium crowns over Empress Veneers. I wanted to go for Veneers due to minimal tooth reduction but he says that quite some tooth will be lost anyway for veneers since he'll be leveling it.  Will leveling really be necessary for veneers apart from the obvious front shaving

Assuming that the only damage to the teeth is what can be seen from the grainy picture I would not recommend Crowns for your chipped teeth.  I would even consider composite restorations as a place to start restoring your teeth.

Modern composites in the right hands and  with proper layering techniques, can deliver excellent cosmetic results that  last a good while,  with minimal or no tooth reduction.

Minimally prepared veneers would also have to be considered. It seems to be your preferred option. And they are undeniably the go to option for color stability and cosmetic results.  But be aware that even veneers may have to be replaced in the future.

Also not all veneers are born equal, and there will be great variability of results depending on the skills of the lab and the dentist

Some leveling may be neededed at the cutting edge of the teeth  and the amount  will also depend on how well the material chosen can successfully hide the crack line

 If those were my teeth I would not crown them as a first option jut because: "they need leveling anyway "  

Lorenzo Minniti, DDS

Alpharetta Cosmetic Dentist

Do I Need to Wait to Extract Tooth Before Implant?

I had a crown a root canal and crown placed on #14. I have had complications due to an abscess caused by an unsuccessful root canal. I was told by two dentists that i would need a apexectomy to and a new crown which will cost over 2000. Apparently, there is no guarantee it will work. I'm thinking of getting an implant. Should i extract tooth or wait to see cosmetic doctor?

Root canal treatments fail for a variety of reasons, but  often the failure of a maxillary molar root canal is due to a missed canal. If  this is the first time the tooth has been treated with a root canal, I suggest you consult with an Endodontist.  A good specialist can often find the missed canal and successfully retreat the tooth. 

However, there may be other complicating factors in this case that may have led the other colleagues to suggest the apicoectomy  The Endodontist  can certainly decide if an apicoectomy is necessary at this time.  

If the tooth is retreated, a new crown may not be absolutely necessary. Often the crown can be repaired for many more years of service. Anyway I would not invest in a new crown until the retreated tooth is stable for at least six months.

If the apicoectomy route is chosen then the crown is left intact and will non need replacing.

I like implants (I place and restore them) but they should be used judiciously, if # 14  has sound bone and gums around it, and it is restorable, it may be worth saving, giving you many more years of trouble free service.   

Lorenzo Minniti, DDS

Alpharetta Cosmetic Dentist

Is a Dental Implant Procedure pretty straightforward, should I expect any problems??

Should I be prepared for any problems that might happen during a dental implant? What are some of the common problems after a procedure? Sensitivity, gum pain, that type of thing?

If properly planned and in the right hands, Implant surgery  is usually  very straighforward.

Usually patients are pleasantly surprised of how little discomfort they experience after implant placement.

With proper care recovery is also quick and uneventful

Dr Minniti

Lorenzo Minniti, DDS

Alpharetta Cosmetic Dentist