What to Ask the Doctors? These are good questions to ask and knowledge to have.
The current best cosmetic material is porcelain. The technology of dental porcelain has advanced over the years where nowadays porcelain veneers looks almost just like natural enamel. See photo gallery under COSMETIC DENTISTRY. Many people who you see in magazines may have porcelain veneers on their teeth. They are very natural looking and at the same time, doesn't require much removal of your tooth structure. The cost of veneers are typically high because they are very technical to do. Part of that cost is also a laboratory cost that the dentist needs to pay. Most dentists are willing to give prospective patients a free consultation to offer a customized package within a budget. Most smile makeovers involve veneers and can be done as quickly as 2-3 weeks.
For crowns, the best material which is also most bio-compatible is now porcelain-fused-to-zirconia. Zirconium Oxide when treated becomes an extremely hard substance used for a crowns substructure that was traditionally and typically metallic. Zirconia, being a white material, when combined with porcelain, yield a strong yet natural looking crown. Did I mention it's bio-compatible? People actually report feeling healthier when their old metallic crowns are replaced with these.
Dental Implants is the currently the best option when replacing a missing tooth although the standard of care may still be a dental bridge or fixed denture. The benefit of dental implant is that can be long-lasting, healthy, and ultra-conservative. Conservation means NOT shaping adjacent teeth to fit a bridge. Dental implants can stand alone by themselves. They are made of titanium because titanium has been known to be bio-compatible. The body actually produce bone cells that bind the implant body. Once that occurs, which may take up to 4 months, a tooth can be installed onto it without loosening.
Healthy Dentistry means using materials that are more compatible with the body. Although still contraversial, dental amalgams are being used less and less. In some countries, they are no longer used. Ask your doctor what materials are being used in restoring your teeth and make sure you are given different choices. You need to watch your budget as some materials may be more bio-compatible but cost significantly more. For example, to upgrade from an amalgam/silver filling to a white composite resin filling is a small cost difference. However, to upgrade to a porcelain restoration such as inlays or onlays, it's a larger cost difference.
1. Ask you doctor about the materials used.
2. Ask for all your options.
3. Be upfront with asking about fees.
4. Ask for expected number of years the work should last.
5. Ask for a lower cost alternative if 'the best' is too costly for you at this time.
6. Call several doctors so you can see who can best suit your needs.
7. Ask for educational background and experience.
8. See if the doctor has their own portfolio of before and after pictures (done by the dentist, not stock photos.)
9. Ask for cash discount if you want to pay in cash. Usually a small discount is given for cash payment.
10. If you have a less than great experience with any of our top 10 dentists, please write to us so we can re-evaluate the doctor.
FYI:
City of Ivine has a population of 200,000 and has 400 number of dentists serving the community. Use our top10 review to choose the right dentist for you in Irvine, CA.
Dentistry
- Zirconium Crowns
- Healthy Dentistry--Alternatives to Silver/Mercury fillings