Archives for August 2025

Can I Trust a Dentist for Bone Grafting or Do I Need an Oral Surgeon?

Posted on August 31, 2025 by AllSmiles.

I need four dental implants. So far, I have scheduled two consultations with dentists about the implants. I’ve seen one dentist who took a CT scan of my mouth and said I will need bone grafting because I have bone shrinkage. I lost two teeth over ten years ago and the other two within the past five years. The dentist said that she could do the grafting and implant placement. I thought I needed an oral surgeon for bone grafting. However, she showed me a certificate for implant placement, and she has been doing implants and bone grafting since 2017. Can I be confident about letting a dentist do all the work instead of seeing an oral surgeon for bone grafting? – Thanks, Geoff from St. Louis

Geoff,

Many general dentists gain extensive experience with surgical procedures. A dentist who has been performing bone grafting for several years is likely proficient. Trained and experienced dentists can perform advanced procedures, such as sinus lifts and extractions of impacted teeth. Other dentists refer patients to an oral surgeon or periodontist.

Which Credentials Show Strong Implant Training?

When evaluating a dentist for implant work, focus on their advanced education rather than whether they are an oral surgeon. Many continuing education programs offer specialized training in implant surgery, and credentials from institutions such as those listed below can serve as a strong indicator of expertise.

American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Engel Institute
International Congress of Oral Implantologists
Misch Implant Institute

While this list isn’t exhaustive, advanced credentials from recognized organizations show commitment to proper training in implant dentistry.

What Questions Can You Ask About Bone Grafting During a Dental Implants Consultation?

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and screw labled

Dental implants need healthy bone to survive, so a bone grafting procedure may be vital for you.

Below are questions you may consider asking about a dentist’s bone grafting training and experience.

Experience

How many years have you performed bone grafting procedures?
How many bone grafts have you completed?
Have you treated cases like mine?

Training

Where did you receive your training in bone grafting and implants?
Do you have credentials from implant organizations or institutes?

Procedure

What type of bone graft do you recommend for me, and why?
What is your success rate with bone grafts?
What are the potential complications for a bone graft procedure?
Do you have before-and-after patient photos that you can show me?

Follow-Up Care

How will you monitor healing and provide follow-up care?

After the consultations, compare the dentists’ experience, training, and treatment plans.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Why Are My New Dental Crowns Turning Yellow?

Posted on August 21, 2025 by AllSmiles.

In early July, I received six porcelain crowns on my upper front teeth. I picked shade BL1 for a very white look, but the crowns never appeared as bright as I expected.

Now the crowns are yellowing and seem to pick up stains whenever I drink coffee, but I am not a heavy coffee drinker. I’ve tried using Supersmile toothpaste, but it hasn’t helped.

I have a consultation with a new dentist this Monday. I would appreciate advice on why the crowns are discoloring and what options a dentist may recommend for correcting this issue. Thanks. Paisley from NJ

Paisley,

If your crowns are truly porcelain and the glaze is intact, they should not stain or yellow. However, the glaze can be damaged under certain conditions. Once that happens, the porcelain surface becomes slightly rough and porous, which allows stains to settle in.

What Can Damage the Glaze on Porcelain Crowns?

There are several potential causes of damage to the glaze on porcelain crowns.

Dental equipment: Power polishing tools such as the Prophy Jet.
Fluoride treatments: Acidulated fluoride (which contains hydrofluoric acid) can etch the glaze. Neutral fluoride, on the other hand, is safe.
Everyday acids: Citric acid (citrus fruits), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), or hydrochloric acid (from acid reflux) do not affect porcelain, so these are not a concern.
Because the stain is now within the etched surface, regular whitening methods won’t work. A cosmetic dentist can determine if the glaze has been damaged.

If damage occurs, stains can embed in the porcelain and won’t come out with products like Supersmile toothpaste, which is designed to dissolve protein films on natural teeth, not rough porcelain surfaces.

Was the Color You Chose Realistic?

The shade BL1 you selected is whiter than any natural tooth color. It was added to tooth shade guides only after bleaching became popular in the 1990s. For reference:

B1: The whitest natural shade seen before bleaching.
A2: The most common adult tooth color.
BL1–BL4: Shades created to match bleached teeth, with BL1 being the brightest.

Teeth bleaching shades

If you had not bleached your teeth, a dentist would typically avoid placing BL1 crowns without addressing the rest of your smile. Otherwise, your darker premolars would be visible, creating a noticeable mismatch. A conscientious cosmetic dentist would discuss this with you upfront and offer options, such as bleaching your natural teeth or adding porcelain veneers to nearby teeth for a seamless look.

Should You Get a Second Opinion?

It sounds like you’re already considering it, which is wise. For the best results, look for a dentist who has cosmetic credentials and a website featuring a smile gallery with before-and-after photos of successful cases.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Should I Expect My Front Teeth to Stick Out Farther with Crowns?

Posted on August 15, 2025 by AllSmiles.

I got new crowns on my front teeth in June. The crowns are the shape and color that I asked for, but they stick out farther than the rest of my front teeth. My dentist thinks it’s okay, but it’s not how my teeth looked before the crowns. I have pictures to prove it. Should I expect my front teeth to stick out farther now that I have crowns? Thanks. Cole from TX

Cole,

When a dentist places crowns on your front teeth, particularly on just a few, it’s vital that the new crowns align precisely with your other teeth. While a full set of crowns may have a slight variation, two crowns must be in perfect alignment. Your dentist must ensure proper alignment because the dental lab simply follows the dentist’s instructions. If there is an issue with the crowns’ alignment, your dentist must return the crowns to the lab for correction.

Based on your description, the most probable cause of the protrusion is that your dentist did not remove enough of your natural tooth structure. Crowns, particularly ceramic ones, require enough space to fit well. If the tooth isn’t adequately reduced, the crown can protrude.

What Can Be Done About Protruding Front-Teeth Crowns?

The next steps depend on whether your dentist permanently bonded the crowns. If the crowns haven’t been cemented yet, your dentist can return them to the lab. If your dentist didn’t prepare your teeth enough, they need to taper them more, make a new impression, and have the lab create new crowns.

If the crowns have already been cemented, your dentist must do the following:

Grind off the crowns carefully
Adjust your teeth for improved crown fit
Take new impressions of your teeth
Ask the lab to make new crowns

Proper teeth alignment is essential for aesthetics and function. When your teeth are correctly positioned, your lips should meet naturally, and your speech and bite will not be affected. A misaligned bite can affect your speech and chewing. Consult a cosmetic dentist for a second opinion.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read why patients say they provide the best dental care in Monroe.

Will I Need Gum Surgery for Lingering Pregnancy Gingivitis?

Posted on August 7, 2025 by AllSmiles.

Will I need gum surgery for lingering pregnancy gingivitis? My baby is ten months old, but I still have some gum swelling that developed during pregnancy. While pregnant, you couldn’t see my bottom teeth due to the swelling. Although it has improved, my gums are still noticeably swollen. Will I need a procedure to remove excess gum tissue? Thanks. Tamika from GA

Tamika,

Pregnancy gingivitis is a common condition that affects many expectant mothers. Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can make gums highly sensitive to irritants, causing them to swell, become tender, and bleed more easily. Even though it’s a frequent occurrence, it’s still crucial to maintain excellent oral hygiene.

What Is the Treatment for Pregnancy Gingivitis?

Managing pregnancy gingivitis requires an oral hygiene routine. You may not need gum contouring yet. You can help reduce inflammation and keep your gums healthy with these steps:

Brush more often, focusing on cleaning the area where your gums meet your teeth.
Floss daily to clean between teeth and along the gum line.
Rinse occasionally with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

A word of caution: Prolonged daily use of hydrogen peroxide (more than two weeks) can disrupt the oral microbiome and may lead to an oral yeast infection.

When Should You Consult a Dentist for Pregnancy Gingivitis?

If you have pregnancy gingivitis, are already brushing and flossing diligently, and your symptoms are not improving, consult your dentist. Surgical procedures, such as gum contouring, should not be recommended until you and your dentist can control the inflammation.

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