Frequently Asked Questions

My teeth have become discolored. How can I get the yellow stains out of my teeth?

Routine dental cleanings using a baking soda impregnated spray can keep extrinsic staining such as smoking, coffee or tea-related stains to a minimum. The simplest and fastest way to brighten yellow, aged or discolored teeth is by tooth whitening. Our office uses the BriteSmile technology (www.BriteSmile.com). This system will bring any one individual's teeth to their maximum brilliance (an average shade change of 8-10 levels)!

Traditional custom whitening trays can also be fabricated for at-home whitening or for maintenance purposes following the BriteSmile procedure. Porcelain laminate veneers are used to alter tooth color and serve as an ideal treatment option in the presence of other cosmetic deficiencies such as broken, chipped, worn or misshaped teeth.

What can be done to fix rotated, chipped or uneven teeth?

Bonding materials have made dramatic physical improvement over the past five years. Recent advances offer more lifelike and longer lasting restorations. Newer bonding techniques can close spaces, repair chips and untwist teeth that are slightly out of alignment. In more complex situations, porcelain veneers are used to attain the most dramatic dental possibilities

What are porcelain veneers?

Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin facings, artistically created to bond on the fronts of teeth. The veneers can change the color, shape, angle, length and spacing of the teeth in only two appointments. The end results are dramatic enhancements that are perfectly natural in appearance, durable and long lasting. The porcelain facings are fabricated under Dr. Skomsky's supervision by talented and specifically trained ceramists. The finish, glaze and surface of the veneers are completely natural and undetectable, resulting in a beautiful, white and perfectly symmetrical smile.

How is bonding different than veneers?

Bonding is done chairside in one appointment and is solely dependent on the dentist's artistic capacity to combine color, shape, form and texture to the teeth. Dr. Skomsky is a former illustrator/artist whose art prints have been distributed worldwide (see www.cosmeticdentistryoforlando.com). His bonding approach encompasses all the elements of tooth form. Individual considerations may mandate the use of porcelain veneers rather than bonding.

Bonding material is the consistency of butter. It is tooth-colored to match the surrounding teeth and is used to repair chips, close spaces between teeth, and fix minor cosmetic discrepancies. Bonding does not possess the overall strength and durability of porcelain veneers. Staining is also more of an issue with bonding than with veneers. Therefore, certain factors, such as smoking or bite considerations, are determining factors in procedure selection.

Are all porcelain veneers the same? Is there a difference in quality, color and longevity?

There are countless different types of porcelain and porcelain systems. Selection of the appropriate system is critical to the durability and longevity of the veneers. Selection of the particular type of porcelain is critical to the appearance and vitality of the restorations. Dr. Skomsky's ceramists use the most technologically advanced systems to provide the strongest and most reliable result possible. They have specialized training that allows them to combine the scientific principles with the artistic abilities to assure a superior cosmetic result. Dr. Skomsky oversees the design and appearance of the veneers during their fabrication, patients appreciate the attention and beautiful result.

Why would someone want an all porcelain crown?

All porcelain crowns are the present day standard for the placement of full crowns. Proper design and proper material selection by the dentist and ceramists allow beautiful, lifelike results with the strength that matches older porcelain-metal restorations. Crowns that previously used metal substructure for strength were then covered with porcelain to match the color of adjacent teeth. In time, it was possible for an unsightly gray shadow to appear at the gumline. This was often due, in part, to gum recession but is also often a reflection of the metal component of the crown on the gum tissue. This line is completely avoidable by using some of today's all porcelain systems. The result is beautiful, long lasting, natural crowns that can either perfectly match existing teeth or enhance the esthetics of a newly designed smile.

I have spaces between my teeth, how can this be fixed?

Obviously, orthodontics can be used to physically move teeth and close spaces. However, patients are frequently opposed to braces and treatment that spans several months to several years. In many instances, bonding or porcelain veneers can be used to cosmetically solve spacing issues. Simply closing spaces between teeth can be treated by direct bonding. Other scenarios such as bite issues, alignment and tooth color are better treated using porcelain veneers, or orthodontic intervention. Selection of the proper treatment option is critical to the final outcome, both cosmetically and from a longevity standpoint.

I have small teeth, can they be made bigger?

Teeth can be widened or lengthened by several methods. Widening teeth is very easily accomplished by bonding or with porcelain veneers. Lengthening teeth can be achieved by either adding to the edges of the teeth with bonding or veneers, or by performing a cosmetic gum lift which lengthen teeth at the gum line. A gum lift procedure is frequently performed when patients display a gummy smile. This is generally a one or two appointment procedure. It involves minimal discomfort and allows the proper proportion of the teeth to be displayed in relation to the total smile. Often times, this procedure is coupled with other services such as tooth whitening, bonding, or porcelain veneers to realize the ultimate potential of your smile.

Does it hurt?

Cosmetic dentistry is generally a minimally invasive procedure. Local anesthetics are completely effective, eliminating pain or discomfort. Some patients request music or nitrous oxide, but we feel that caring, detail and individual attention is the best method of relaxation.

Do you perform only cosmetic dentistry? Are you also a general dentist?

Our office performs all aspects of general dentistry. Appearance related dentistry is the focal point of our services and as such we do not place mercury/silver analgam fillings. We also place all ceramic bonded porcelain crowns instead of porcelain/metal crowns whenever the situation allows us to do so. Our hygenist has specialized training using an instrument called a prophy jet which pressure sprays baking soda inpregnated particles to remove stains and debris. This is also an effective method of maintaining aesthetic restorations such as bonding and porcelain veneers.