Fixed vs. removable bridges

Fixed bridges are preferable to removable bridges because they look and feel better and usually last longer. Removable bridges on the other hand can cause an unnecessary amount of wear and tear on adjacent teeth, but they are frequently selected over fixed brigdges since they are less expensive intitally. In the long run, however, the savings are questionable since a removable bridge has a shorter lifespan.

What about commercial products to lighten your teeth?

There are no commercial products on the market today that can compare to professional dental treatment for correcting stained teeth. In fact, some products can even harm the teeth with excessive amounts of cleaning abrasive. If your teeth have already lost a certain amount of enamel and you use a strong abrasive product, you can severly damage the dentin or exposed cementum, the inner parts of your teeth - which may actually be the cause of some of the staining in your mouth. Exposed dentin or cementum can have a yellowish appearance and some people buy products to try to remove this type of stain only to find after extended use that their teeth become darker and more eroded.

Therefore, never use a commercial product for treatment of stained teeth unless your dentist first prescribes it. There are products that can help certain types of staining, but only under the advice of the dentist. For example, some smokers may get a small amount of reduction of stains by using certain abrasive toothpastes. However, the abrasiveness of this paste or powder can be harmful to the other parts of the tooth and that is why it is essential to first consult your dentist.

Front teeth too long?

Sometimes the two upper front teeth are extra long and produce a "bunny look." It may be that the laterals are too short and make the centrals appear longer. If so, it is possible to lengthen the lateral incisors with composite bonding or porcelain veneers/crowns. Or the central incisors can be reshaped though cosmetic contouring which is simply a process of reshaping the natural teeth through adjusting and polishing.