Q.
Will a dentist recommend veneers over lumineers due to the cost or vice versa or should they? I want to be sure I get what is best for me and most cost efficient as my insurance will not cover any of it. Thank you for your time and any help and advice you can give doctors
A.
A dentist should recommend to you what will give you the best result for your situation regardless of the cost. If you want the best for yourself you should ask for it. If cost is a factor than you will be faced with the choice of what is best for you based on what you can afford. I would find a dentist who doesn’t treat with only one type of veneer such as Lumineers. Lumineers are not the best veneers available but can be more economical. Visit our website at www.lernerlemongello.com to see examples of traditional porcelain veneers. Lumineers will not give you the same result. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
I was at the dentist on October 3, 2011 for a filling. During the appointment my dentist was pressing hard down on my teeth, I assume to fit the metal bands around the tooth. I felt quite a bit of pressure at the time but no pain as things were frozen. After the freezing wore off, i noticed my jaw was “achy” . The following week my jaw was still feeling achy and sore but I just thought it would resolve itself. On Sunday October 9th, while eating dinner my jaw felt weird and wouldn’t open properly. The next day my jaw locked on the left side of my face. I went to my chiropractor who gently released the lock and told me to ice the area. I don’t have a lot of acute pain, rather my facial muscles below my cheek bones are very, very achy. I cannot protrude my lower jaw out and it does deviate to the left when I open. At first I was not able to move my jaw side to side but I am on day 9 now and starting to feel a very tiny bit of movement. Can you help me understand what is going on with my jaw? Is it sprained and what is the long term time frame for wellness as the jaw ache is wearing on me and giving me compounding headaches? Btw, I am not a tooth grinder or clencher. thank you!
A.
It sounds as if you do have a muscle sprain. At this point use medication like Advil to help relieve inflammation in the muscle. Instead of ice, use warm heat to help the muscle heal and stretch. Watch your diet and try not to overuse your jaw or open wide. Over time the muscle will heal. Be aware you may be prone to sprain in the future. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
hello doctors,
I wondered if you answer a question about the general health of my teeth. I use an electric toothbrush, floss and use mouthwash daily, but i am becoming increasingly worried about the condition of my two front teeth. I have notice for a while that the top of the teeth are slightly rough and if you look very closely you can notice lines running across them, near the top of the tooth. However, i have recently noticed on one of them that there is a ‘dint’ or patch of tooth that is missing, more so that before. There is no sensitivity and the patch isn’t deep, but i am just very worried about what this might mean. Could you tell me what you think it is and if i should undergo any treatment to protect the tooth if it needs it?
thank you very much for your time
A.
It’s difficult to advise you on what may be occuring. This could be wear from abrasive tooth paste and over brushing. It could be some form of erosion from acid in your diet such as Coke or citrus juice. Or may be related to stress in your bite or other habit. I would consult with a dentist to see what treatment if any is needed. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
I really want to have straight teeth for once and have been looking at the different options available. I am however finding it difficult to choose between invisalign treatment and veneers and just wondered what your opinion on them for teeth straightening was. I would like my two crossed front teeth straightened as soon as possible, but i also want them to be healthy and everything, just need to extra advice i guess
Thank you for your help doctors
A.
Invisalign and porcelain veneers are very different treatments. The advantage of Invisalign is that you are preserving your natural teeth. If you are happy with the shape and color of your teeth, than moving them into the proper position is the most conservative, least invasive treatment. The disadvantage is time and the need to wear a retainer or the teeth will move back. If you are unhappy with the shape and color than veneering them is a good option. The advantages of veneers is treatment can usually be accomplished in a few weeks and improve the color and shape of the teeth. The disadvantage is that veneers requires some permanent reshaping of the teeth. Discuss with your dentist which option is best for you. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
5 Months ago I had my Braces removed. The result was very good. I was then fitted with a clear set of Essex retainers. ( although I wanted a permanent retainer).
After six or so weeks my teeth have moved into a position that is causing me pain in my lower teeth and a particular tooth is now crooked and sitting against the other tooth. This same tooth’s gum has began to recede. My retainer then broke within 4 months of use.
I have been back to the Ortho and he then took a mould of my already crooked teeth to fit a Hawley retainer.
Should there generally be some duty of care once teeth have moved to correct back to a satisfactory level of straightness?
The deterioration of my teeth is as a result of the retainer not being satisfactory.
Any input is appreciated.
A.
There is always some amount of settling and relapse at the completeion of Orthodontic treatment. It’s not clear if a permanent retainer would have prevented some of the relapse. This result may be the best that can be achieved even if a permanet retainer and Hawley were placed. If you are not satisfied with what has occured discuss this candadly with the dentist with the goal of finding a solution that satisfies you understanding the limitations that may exist. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
Hi, I have crooked teeth. It does not look that bad to me, but my dentist keeps telling me that if I didn’t take care of it with braces, they would become loose. But he’s been saying it for five years (I am now 22), and they look exactly the same. I am scared, though, and I would like to hear some other options to take care of this. I have heard of cutting off a piece of the overlapping tooth and coating the exposed region with porcelain, but how expensive is that?
A.
It is difficult to explain to you in this situation why straightening your teeth is important. They may not look different because you are young. Your teeth are crowded close to each other and there is not as much bone supporting the teeth as there would be if they were straight. As you age the gum and bone will recede. You already have some of these changes occurring now even though you don’t see and you are only 22. There is great risk in you loosing your bottom front teeth if you do not straighten your them. I would recommend braces. The cutting away of tooth overlap and placing veneers will not solve the problem of the roots of the teeth being crowded together. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
I had a crown for my front tooth about 10 years ago and have recently noticed a black line appearing at the top of my gums. Should I be worried about this and is there anything that I can do to stop this from worsening or even get it sorted. Feel really uncomfortable having an ugly black line, which you can see when I smile.
Thanks
A.
This is due to some minor gum recession over time which is normal as we age. The “black line” is the exposure of the underlying metal edge of the crown. This does not mean there is anything wrong with the crown just that it is no longer as esthetic as it used to be. The only treatment is a new crown without this type of material so even if there is additional recession in the future this unsightly appearance won’t reoccur. If you visit our website at www.lernerlemongello.com you will see many examples of crowns made without this type of material that look very natural. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
hello
i have a very sore tooth, which causes shooting pains if i am to bring my tongue anywhere near it. It is also a bit wobbly so i guess i am going to have to have it out. I was just wondering about the replacement options available to me once this has happened. What would you say is the best way to fill in the gap? I want something long lasting, i am a bit concerned about how much it will cost, but i will cross that bridge when i come to it
thank you
A.
The best way to replace a tooth is with a
dental implant. Second choice is a fixed bridge. The negative with a bridge is that involves the adjacent teeth. Both will last a long time and are similar in cost. Visit our website www.lernerlemongello for examples of both. Done well you cannot distinguish between an implant, a bridge or natural teeth. Good luck with any treatment you decide yo have Dr. Lemongello
Q.
what does treatment for a gummy smile involve? My smile is just really, really ugly and i feel incredibly uncomfortable laughing or smiling, often covering my mouth with my hand. Is it painful and will i have to be put to sleep to have it done?
Thank you
A.
Depending on the amount of gum showing, the treatment can range from simple gum recontouring with a laser to gum surgery. You would be amazed at how much improvement can be accomplished with a laser. Usually laser treatment is simple with little or no discomfort. If needed, gum surgery can achieve even more. Because gum surgery involves just the gum and bone on the front surface of the tooth it is not very invasive and recovery is quick with minimal discomfort. You do not have to be put to sleep. Visit our website at www.lernerlemongello.com and view examples of improved gummy smiles. Treatment would involve a consultation to determine what is best for your situation. Dr. Lemongello
Q.
I had so many problems with my front tooth after a car wreak over twenty years ago. Three root canals, then a rod placement that broke three times. I’m very frustrated, However I just got a titanium implant and a temp tooth. This is supposed to heal for four mths before I get my tooth. My question is does this temp tooth have to be shorter then the two surrounding teeth? It looks ugly I’m very unhappy I have to live with this for four mths. This temp cost me five hundred dollars. I think the Dentist made a mistake when he filed it and remade it two times and went on to place it anyway. So he said it had to be shorter. When I said I was unhappy he told me he was perturbed by my unhappiness. This was the surgen actually.
A.
It is common for this tooth to be shorter than the other teeth at this stage. The reason it is shorter is so you do not bite down on it and compromise the healing of the implant. You should avoid biting on this tooth during the healing phase. It is unfortunate that you are unhappy at this time but I expect the final tooth will be more acceptable. Dr. Lemongello
View My Profile
Dr Lerner & Dr Lemongello
