Sarah Kim Kong, DDS

Hi there!

Lasers with teeth whitening systems such as Zoom should not turn your teeth black due to your permanent retainer. Good luck and happy whitening!

Nowadays, if possible, a dental implant is the ideal way to replace a missing tooth. Look for a board-certified periodontist or oral surgeon who will take a 3-D scan, make a surgical guide, and communicate well with your general (or cosmetic) dentist to coordinate a personalized plan for you. All the best!

Hi there! With a chip of that size, I would definitely choose Cosmetic Dental Bonding over filing down your natural tooth. Filing the edges of your front teeth not only takes away healthy tooth structure, it gives you a more aged appearance - and nobody wants that! On the other hand, Dental Bonding is a purely additive treatment. This means that only what is missing will be replaced - a truly conservative option to preserve your natural goodness! 
Although the composite bonding can stain or chip more readily than porcelain veneers, it is less costly and more conservative. That being said, your dentist will inspect and polish your bonding with special polishers at every visit and touch up as needed. A couple of other tips: you should avoid biting into any hard foods with the bonded teeth to prevent weakening of the bonding, and you should consider whitening your teeth prior to cosmetic bonding, as the bonding will not whiten like your natural teeth. That means there will be a little maintenance to keep your teeth consistently looking their pearly-white best! And we all want whiter, healthier and more beautiful smiles!

Hi there!

It sounds like the crown was buffed to make room for your bite, thereby exposing the underlying metal substructure of your porcelain-to-metal crown.  The metal substructure should protect your tooth despite the porcelain overlay missing in that spot.  If you want a "perfect tooth", then the original crown will need to be removed and a new crown will have to be made.  Don't wait too long before addressing this issue with your dentist or else be prepared to start afresh with a new dentist.  Good luck!

Best,
Sarah Kong, DDS

Hi there! You may need to have your bite adjusted to see if that helps alleviate the pain. If the pain persists, then seek a second opinion from a reputable endodontist (root canal specialist) to rule out a fractured tooth or a missed nerve canal.  Good luck!