Valle Wilhite Rischer, DDS

Hello, thanks for your question!  Following the manufacturer instructions will ensure that you're whitening safely, and taking best care of your teeth, gums, and tissues.  Your dentist may be able to recommend a whitening product with a higher concentration, that would require a lesser wear time to achieve desired results more quickly (and safely!)--best wishes to you!

Hi, thanks for your question!  Crown shades won't change when using bleaching/whitening products, so if you choose to whiten, know that the crown shade will stay the same, and the difference in shade between it and your other natural teeth will depend upon how your teeth whiten.  Should you choose to replace the crown at some point, a full-porcelain crown (not with a metal base), will ensure an extremely aesthetic result, and can be made to exactly match your "new" shade--good luck!

Hi-- thanks for your question.  Dentists choose the quality of labs that they work with, the quality of materials, the amount and quality of continuing education to receive, etc--and tend to do so across the board.  Although price isn't always a key indicator, it's likely that the "cheapest" dentist may have just that result, which, when making an investment such as implants, isn't typically recommended.  By comparison, that's not to say that the dentist with the highest fee is necessarily the best, but they very well could be.  Getting an idea of the kind of work that a dentist does, reading up online both on their website and social media sites, checking for online reviews, visiting with their team members, etc. will help you tremendously.  Trust is key, though.  An exceptional dentist may not win in terms of price, but will have attention to detail and quality mastered.

Hi, thanks for your question.  Of course, so much is going to vary from office to office.  That being said, it sounds like you were very fortunate to be able to have had the examination and the work done in the same day.  At many offices, the exam is charged for the time utilized reviewing films/photos as applicable, and determining treatment options.  Restorations of course, typically involve separate charges.  Of course, offices may choose to waive an exam charge as a courtesy.  Sounds like you had a very patient-centered dentist nonetheless, that was able to get you back in good shape and save you a trip to the office.  Take care!

Hi, thanks for your question.  The mouth is so complex--how the teeth come together, jaw/bone structure, healthiniess of gums/tissues, etc--so much more than what's visible in a picture.  That being said,  meeting with a dentist for a comprehensive examination including x-rays, intraoral photos etc. would be an ideal first step to find out your options, as it varies so much from patient to patient.  From there, a dentist may choose to gather even further information, through use of diagnostic casts--models made of your teeth to further evaluate the ins and outs of your teeth and what would be best-suited for you.  Seeing a dentist trained in neuromuscular dentistry would also help to ensure that you combine the best in terms of function and aesthetics for your smile makeover.  Best wishes to you!

Valle Wilhite Rischer DDS; Fellow, Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies

Hi-  we use and recommend Opalescense whitening products.  They offer great results, the whitening agent by iteself can be used in customized trays, and it has a desensitizing agent in it to make whitening more comfortable.  Of course, it's important to keep in mind that there are limits as to "how white" teeth can get, regardless of product.  Discussing this with your dentist will enable them to evaluate your teeth, and offer feedback as to the ideal attainable shade for you.

Thanks for your question!  Neuromuscular dentistry involves restoring the patient's bite to its ideal position, where it "should" be, for the patient to be most comfortable, etc.  After a patient has gone through the process with a neuromuscular dentist of honing in on/stabilizing the bite using an orthotic/neuromuscular data collection/extremely-refined adjustments, the patient's teeth can be restored so that they maintain the "ideal bite" without further use of the orthotic/repositioning device.  To achieve this, dentists do restore teeth that would have needed treatment anyways, as well as teeth that do not have active decay, issues, etc.  Making sure that your dentist has the proper training and experience with neuromuscular dentistry is essential to ensure the optimal results.  Good luck!

- Valle W. Rischer DDS

Hi, and thanks for your question.  Depending on the amount of the tooth that broke off/its proximity to your nerves, etc. it's entirely possible to be experiencing some sensitivity.  Seeing a dental professional for evaluation of this would be ideal, as they will offer options for restoration which will help make things more comfortable for you as well.  Good luck!

Hello, and thanks for your question!  There are many at-home whitening options available which are safe for teenagers--many offices make customized whitening trays which patients use at home with varying strengths of whitening bleach.  Although that is a great investment and the trays can be used repeatedly, many parents opt for disposable trays that can be used at home.  They are still professional strength (and are typically only available through dental professionals), but often one or two packages of these trays can help the patient acheive their ideal shade.  And, they're ideal for busy teens as the wear time is minimal (approx 30 mins), they don't have to worry about dispensing bleach, they're disposable, and patients typically experience little sensitivity with these.  Good luck!

Hi, thanks for your question.  Although the Sonicare unit won't actually whiten your crowns, it will still keep the surrounding/supporting tissues healthy, which is an essential component of your overall oral health.  Good luck!