1. Is there a difference in quality among various types of veneers and crowns?

Quality is a broad statement as it needs to take into consideration the quality of the dentist' s preparations,the beauty of the temporary restorations and the materials used in the actual restoration. The various types of crowns from porcelain fused to gold or to porcelain with a zirconia base are less important than the quality of the laboratory technician making them. Any material on the market is capable of beauty in the hands of a quality laboratory artist. So if a lab uses a microscope for all steps, layers porcelain for lifelike esthetics and pays careful attention to occlusion and shade, they are more important than the type of porcelain used.


2. What is bonding and how is it different from a veneer?

Bonding is the process of opening pores in the enamel of the tooth and using various chemistry to create plastic plugs that will stick in the pores and grab onto the crown or veneer. Often this is also used to discuss tooth colored fillings which is also referred to as "bonding" but again it is a composite restoration that is chemically bonded to the tooth.


3. What can be done for excessive gum tissue?

Excess tissue can be removed surgically with a blade, laser or electrosurgical device.


4. Is cosmetic dental work expensive?

Expense is relative. If you take the cost of any procedure and divide it over the years of service, it may be a very worthwhile investment. A set of 10 veneers for $12,000 may last 7-15 year. The difference is you are with your mouth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So is it worth $1200 a year to change someone' s mouth? That is up to each person to put a value on. Cosmetic procedures won' t last forever and will need to be replaced and this cost needs to be known up front but the satisfaction it can bring to a person' s life is often a wonderful investment.


5. What about my dental insurance? Will it cover this?

Dental insurance is not going to cover cosmetic procedures whether it be Botox, Breast Augmentations or Porcelain Veneers.


6. What causes the discoloration of a tooth?

Discoloration can be from medication your mother took while your teeth were developing in utero, from coffee, tea or from a combination of acidic foods and foods that stain. In addition there are several dental diseases such as amelogenesis imperfecta that can affect tooth color.