October 26, 2018
Smile Makeovers: First Things First
By the Premier Dental Esthetics team, led by Dr. Peter S. Young, DDS, MAGD
In this blog post from Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia, we will focus on something that happens occasionally when a patient requests cosmetic dentistry.
Let us set the stage. The patient comes in for a consultation about a smile makeover. We’ll call him Mr. Jones. The dentist listens carefully as he explains the esthetic problems that he wants to remedy. Mr. Jones wants to fix two chipped teeth, get a dental implant for a tooth that is missing altogether, and whiten his whole smile. He describes what he envisions for his smile after undergoing treatment.
The dentist performs an examination of his entire mouth and takes x-rays. The dentist discovers some additional problems. There are three teeth with moderate decay, one tooth with acute decay, gum disease, an old crown with a crack in it, and severe bone recession at the potential dental implant site where the tooth was extracted ten years ago.
The dentist explains that these troubles need to be addressed before the cosmetic dental smile makeover is performed. Mr. Jones says that the smile makeover is his first priority and plans to deal with the other problems sometime in the future.
How does the dentist advise Mr. Jones? The dentist will probably explain that the lasting success of a cosmetic dental procedure such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or tooth whitening is influenced by the condition of the mouth at the time of treatment. There must be a solid, healthy foundation, so to speak, on which to build the smile makeover.
First things first. It makes no sense to attach a veneer to a decayed tooth that may need a root canal. A dental implant may not integrate with the surrounding bone structure if placed at a site where there is bone recession. Tooth whitening will probably not produce favorable results where there is gum disease and exposed tooth roots.
Can Mr. Jones ever have his dream smile? Yes! There are treatments to fix all of the problems mentioned previously. But just like many other things in life, the order of operations is critical.
At Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia, we provide family and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today.
Have a question about your smile?
Dr. Peter S. Young and Dr. Clifford S. Young are happy to help. Schedule a visit or give us a call.
Patient reviews
What our patients say
“I had been going to Dr. Peter Young for many years at Premier Dental and he and his staff have always been incredibly professional and welcoming. Dr. Young is very knowledgeable in his field and I have always had a very positive experience at this dental office.”
“Dr Young did an excellent job filling my cavities and fitting my crown. I’ve been taken care of by Dr Young and his wonderful staff for over 10 years and my family trusts them 100%. If they have time for new patients you will be glad to have Dr Peter Young as your dentist.”
“Dr. Peter Young is an amazing dentist with his patient's well being at the forefront. He's very knowledgable in the dental field and is always on the lookout of how he can continue to improve the lives of his patients. The facility is beautiful and immediately alleviated my fears of the dentist. The staff is the icing on top of the cake.”
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Ask our virtual assistant in the corner, or call our front desk.
What cosmetic dentistry treatments do you offer?
Porcelain veneers (including prepless and 3D-printed veneers), professional teeth whitening, dental bonding, gummy smile treatment, CEREC same-day porcelain crowns and complete smile makeovers.
Why choose Dr. Peter S. Young for cosmetic dentistry?
Dr. Young is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry — a distinction held by fewer than 100 dentists worldwide — and has completed over 4,000 hours of advanced continuing education since 1988.
Can I see results from real patients?
Yes. The Smile Gallery shows before-and-after photos of real patients treated at Premier Dental Esthetics, and the Testimonials page has video stories.
Do you accept dental insurance?
Yes. The practice accepts PPO dental insurance, including Delta Dental PPO and Cigna Dental PPO, and the team will verify your benefits and help you maximize your coverage.
Is Premier Dental Esthetics accepting new patients?
Yes. Premier Dental Esthetics in Arcadia, CA welcomes new patients for general, cosmetic, implant, restorative and emergency dentistry. Call (626) 445-2536 or request an appointment online.
Where is Premier Dental Esthetics located?
The office is at 301 W Huntington Dr #217, Arcadia, CA 91007, on Huntington Drive next to USC Arcadia Hospital.
Your new smile starts here
Ready to create the smile of your dreams?
New patients and emergencies welcome. Same-day appointments, early-morning and evening hours.