Michael Moossy
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In the following article, Dr. Michael Moossy addresses frequently asked questions about achieving a desired smile. Moossy strives to balance his patients’ expectations with realistic outcomes. Most importantly, Moossy emphasizes both aesthetics and functionality when discussing dental options that will be optimal in creating the desired smile.
Are porcelain veneers right for me?
A veneer is the ideal restoration to address issues that patients aren’t happy with, such as shape and color, alignment of the teeth, uniformity of the smile and spacing concerns. However, it does have its limitations. Great care needs to be taken if the patient is a clencher or grinder, or has gum or bone disease. In addition, it tends to be a more expensive option but lasts longer. A more fiscally conscious approach might be simply whitening your teeth followed by contouring and bonding. It is possible to obtain dramatic results with little investment.
What is the black line at my gum line?
This is usually the result of a previous dental restoration. Older crowns were made with a metal substructure, which is revealed when the gum recedes with age. So, newer restorations are more aesthetic in the sense that they are metal-free yet still have adequate strength. Crowns are great, just like veneers, in fixing similar issues, but are needed in certain circumstances. Crowns are ideal for the patient who has pre-existing dental work or is known to be a clencher or grinder.
I want longer teeth. How do I achieve this?
One option would be adding length to the edge of the tooth using composite material, otherwise known as bonding. Length may also be added with the use of veneers or crowns. Sometimes patients have what is referred to as a “gummy” smile, which can easily be resolved with a gingivectomy or crown-lengthening procedure (removing gum tissue), which reveals more tooth structure, in turn, creating a longer tooth.
Why is it important to replace missing teeth?
Well, there is the obvious factor of wanting an aesthetically pleasing smile that you aren’t embarrassed by or ashamed of. Being toothless can often lead to lower self-esteem, a negatively impacted social life or depression. But more importantly, your bite could be off, affecting chewing function. Does that mean no more steak? It does! Other consequences of missing teeth include pain in the facial muscles or jaw, tilting of adjacent teeth into the space vacated by a missing tooth and supraeruption of the opposing tooth into the space. (This would be the top tooth drifting down, as there isn’t anything below to stop it from doing so.) Missing teeth are also food traps that can cause further decay and gum disease to the surrounding teeth, potentially leading to losing additional teeth. Please note that not all missing teeth need to be replaced. Those such as wisdom teeth or those in the very back may be best left untreated. Please consult with your dentist for the best options for your particular case.
For a complimentary cosmetic consultation, give us a call at 512.459.5437.
Dr. Michael Moossy is a native Texan with the type of Southern hospitality his patients have grown quite fond of throughout the years. He takes great pride in his private practice in Austin and has been practicing dentistry for 20 years. As his name has become well-known here in the Capital City, it is obvious that Moossy loves what he does, and his team and patients alike enjoy the entire dental experience with him
