Irwin Smigel, DDS (retired)

The whiteness teeth can achieve varies by their inherent color.

• Really dark or stained teeth cannot be significantly whitened
• Yellowish teeth can be made whiter
• Normally white teeth can be significantly whitened

Crowns and veneers can always be removed. Invariably however, there is always damage to the underlying tooth structure.

It is much more so with crowns, but even with veneers that are mildly or not prepared, it is impossible to remove them without damaging the underlying tooth structure.

There has been much talk about no-prep veneers, but these are rarely effective, particularly with stained or protruding teeth.

• The best way to determine a good cosmetic dentist is to have seen his results on someone you know.
• Secondly, a good cosmetic dentist is frequently a member of a respected aesthetic society, such as the American Society for Dental Aesthetics.
• Lastly, look at his before-and-after photos, and look for something similar to your own situation.

Composite is essentially a reinforced plastic. With today’s technology it is much stronger and more aesthetic than ever before.

However, it can wear under pressure, and it is not as stain resistant or color stable as porcelain.

Porcelain veneers yield a truer color, a much longer lasting finish, do not fracture as readily, and are better aesthetically.

Veneers are generally preferable because there is less tooth reduction. However, if a tooth does not have sufficient enamel, or is broken down, a crown is necessary. Additionally, if someone's occlusion must be altered, crowns are the best option.