finding an expert cosmetic dentist Archives - Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist

Review of Premium Home Whitening

Posted on June 16, 2025 by writeradmin.

Can you tell me if Premium Home Whitening will work as well as the stuff I get at the dentist? I’m looking to whiten my teeth fast for a special event, but am hoping to avoid schedule a dental appointment.

Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

I’m glad you wrote. The Premium Home Teeth Whitening does have a valid whitening ingredient. However, even with that, it is not going to be as effective as the professional teeth whitening you get with your dentist.

The biggest issue for it is the trays. When you have teeth whitening done with your dentist, they should custom fit teeth whitening trays to your bite. The trays you get with the kit will not be fit to your bite. That means that some gel will escape the tray. That weakens the effectiveness of the gel because there is less gel. It is also weakened because your saliva gets into the tray, which dilutes it.

There is a secondary issue with the gel getting out of the tray. That means it can get onto your gums, which can cause irritation. There is even one case I know of where someone ended up needing a root canal treatment as a result of over the counter teeth whitening products.

The most effective and safe teeth whitening is what you would get from your dentist. If you’re looking for something super fast because of an upcoming event, then I would like to recommend that you look into Zoom Whitening. This is an in-office teeth whitening that can get your teeth very white in just one appointment. Any dentist can do either types of these whitening procedures if they offer it.

If you’re looking for something more, like a complete smile makeover, then I would suggest you look into porcelain veneers. These can change anything about your smile, including the shape, size, and color. However, veneers are a very advanced cosmetic procedure that requires extensive post-doctoral training and an artistic eye. I would make sure whatever cosmetic dentist you had do them are AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Why Is My Dentist Giving Me Dentures With Dental Implants?

Posted on May 28, 2025 by writeradmin.

I have had ugly dentures for years. My neighbor has dental implants and they look fantastic. I told my dentist and he said I could get dental implants but I’d need another procedure called bone grafting. Then, we’ll do the implants. After that has time to heal, then he’ll place dentures. I thought I was trying to get away from dentures to get a pretty smile. When I told him that, he said my friend probably has dentures too because that it what you use with dental implants. Is that true? If so, how do I get pretty ones?

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I’m glad you wrote. When you’re getting an entire set of dental implants, the standard is to anchor dentures to them. There is another option of getting an individual crown on each tooth. However, that is prohibitively expensive for most people. But, don’t worry, the dentures can be beautiful. In fact, your previous dentures could have been beautiful, too. How your smile looks depends on the cosmetic skill of the dentist not whether or not they are dentures or crowns.

If this is the same dentist who did your original dentures, then you won’t like the next ones either. In that case, I would get your implants done with someone else. You’ll want someone with post-doctoral training placing dental implants, as well as in cosmetic dentistry.

You can start by finding an expert in dental implants and then looking at their cosmetic skills. Or, you can flip it around. The best cosmetic dentists are AACD accredited. They are in the top 1-3% in world when it comes to creating beautiful smiles. As for dental implants, if you look at Dr. Rothwell’s bio, you get an idea of what type of training you’re looking for there.

Benefits of Dental Implants

You may now be wondering if it is worth the cost of getting bone grafting done and dental implants if you can just pretty dentures made. It really is. I don’t know if your dentist warned you about the serious downside of dentures when you first got them, but the biggest issue you will face is facial collapse.

When your teeth were first removed, your body recognized that and began to resorb the minerals in your jawbone in order to use them elsewhere in your body, where they will be more useful. This is an amazingly efficient system in resource allotment. However, as the minerals are moved elsewhere, your jawbone begins to shrink. Eventually, there will no longer be enough of your jawbone left to even keep your dentures in place, leaving you a denture cripple and unable to eat solid foods.

Getting dental implants signals to your body that you still have teeth and it will leave your jawbone completely intact, preventing facial collapse. Plus, even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. Once you have your dentures anchored to your implants, you will be able to eat anything you want.

This blog is brought to you Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

What Type Of Veneers Should I Get?

Posted on January 31, 2025 by writeradmin.

I have a set of porcelain veneers but have always been disappointed by them. I want to replace them with veneers that will have a much more aesthetic look. I’ve done consultations with several cosmetic dentists and keep getting different recommendations. One suggested Lumineers; another e.max crowns. Another zirconia. The final one suggested feldspathic. Now I’m completely confused as to which to use. Do you have a preference on these? I do know enough to discount the Lumineers.

Cindy

Dear Cindy,

I’m glad you wrote. While you are discounting the dentist suggesting Lumineers, please also discount the dentist offering dental crowns. Generally, a dentist offers crowns instead of veneers because they have not been trained in veneers. This does not bode well for you, plus it is a major overtreatment which will grind down and weaken your teeth.

In answer to your question, I am going to gently request you reframe what you research. The aesthetic result of your current veneers had much less to do with the materials used than the dentist who used them. It isn’t necessarily the materials that create a beautiful result with porcelain veneers, but the skill of the artist using those materials.

Look at it like sculpting. Two artists can be commissioned to sculpt the same thing with the same materials, but the results will not be the same. A gifted artist will give you a gorgeous result. But, a mediocre artist will give you mediocre results.

I would instead look into the skill of each dentist and then let them choose the brand and type of veneer. They will know the strength and weaknesses of each brand. Which they choose will depend on what you were wanting to do with your smile makeover.

So, how do you find those skilled, artistic cosmetic dentists? The easiest way would be to look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). In order to become an AACD accredited dentist, which is different from membership, a dentist has to pass stringent exams as well as demonstrate their artistry before an examination board. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the world. In fact, I’d put them in the top 1-3% in the world. They can give you the gorgeous smile you are dreaming of.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Dental Bonding Disaster

Posted on March 15, 2024 by writeradmin.

Several years ago, I took a tumble and ended up in an emergency dental appointment with my dentist. The teeth are okay except for a large chip, which my dentist fixed with dental bonding. Now the bonding is discolored. I went to see my new dentist and asked him to replace the bonding so it would look the way it did when I first had it done. That is when everything started to go wrong. First, the color does not match AT ALL. It is so obvious that it is a different part of the tooth that I am shocked the dentist is happy with it. I have another issue with the tooth with the dental bonding being obviously longer than the adjacent tooth. Now, I also have a gap between the teeth that wasn’t there before. He insists the tooth looks better than it did before he worked on it, but I didn’t have a gap in my tooth, plus they were the same size and color. My dentist thinks I just need to get used to it. I feel deformed. Is there anything I can do?

Shannon

Dear Shannon,

First, I don’t think you are going to get anywhere with this dentist. If he is content with what you’ve described I would run away as quickly as possible. Do ask him for a refund and let him know you are going elsewhere to have it repaired. If he gives you trouble with the refund, focus on finding the right dentist to fix this. If the work is as bad as it sounds, then your new dentist will probably be willing to speak with your old dentist on your behalf. Sometimes, they are more willing to listen to their peers.

Dental bonding is quite an advanced cosmetic procedure. It is especially challenging because it has to be done freehand. You want a top of the line dentist who has real expertise and post doctoral training in cosmetic dentistry. Whoever you choose will also have to do some additional repairs because of the gap that developed as a result of the shoddy work.

In your place, I would look for someone who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Any dentist who is AACD accredited is in the top 1% of dentists in the world. They will be able to create you a beautiful, natural result, such as the one you see pictured above.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

The Deception of 360-Degree Veneers

Posted on January 30, 2024 by writeradmin.

I need some serious advice. I’ve been having the hardest time with my smile makeover. I went to my dentist about getting porcelain veneers. I was thinking about the Lumineers veneers because they don’t have to take off tooth structure. However, my dentist said, based on the shape of my teeth, I was a better candidate for 360 veneers. I asked him if a lot of tooth structure would need to be removed and he assured me that hardly any tooth structure would be removed. I went ahead and agreed to have them done. Things did not end up at all like I’d hoped. Two of the temporary crowns came off. That’s when I noticed that my natural tooth beneath it was just a small nub. I was mad! He told me hardly any, and I barely recognized it as a tooth. He said that most porcelain veneers are like that then fixed the dental crowns. A few days later, they fell off again. I expressed concern that this would be a consistent problem. He told me that once the permanent ones were on that I would not have problems with them falling out. I will admit to having my doubts. I’m starting to losing any confidence in this dentist. Sure enough, just two weeks after the permanent crowns were placed, the same two crowns fell off again. I don’t know what to do.

Gillian

Dear Gillian,

You have good reason to be upset. Your dentist has a serious problem with the truth. Let’s start with these “360 veneers.” There is no such thing. What your dentist provided for you was porcelain crowns. First, porcelain veneers do not go around your whole tooth (360 degrees). They simply cover the front of your teeth as well as hug the sides just a bit. The only thing that surrounds the tooth are dental crowns.

Second, the amount of tooth structure he removed is inline with porcelain crowns. Look at the image above. On the left you see porcelain crown prep. This looks like a nub, as you described. On the right is the prep for a porcelain crown, which just takes a few millimeters off the surface. When he told you what he did was typical for porcelain veneers, that was an outright lie.

Now let’s talk about the fact that your crowns keep falling off. I could excuse the temporary crowns falling off. They are not bonded on the same way a permanent crown is. However, if a dental crown is permanently bonded on it should not fall off, at least not if the tooth is shaped properly and it is properly bonded on. Most dentists go their entire careers without having a dental crown fall off. I am wondering if your dentist over tapered the teeth where the crowns are falling off.

In your place, I would ask for a refund and then go to an expert cosmetic dentist to have this fixed. You can point out to him the multiple layers of deception here. Giving your crowns when you asked for porcelain veneers means he not only lied to you but weakened your teeth. If he doesn’t give you a refund, you can tell him you are willing to talk to an attorney about the malpractice here.

Find a dentist who is AACD accredited. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and will have a better grasp on how to fix what your dentist has done.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head cosmetic dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Veneers Keep Popping off and I Don’t Remember My Appointments

Posted on April 28, 2023 by writeradmin.

I need some advice. I’ve been a tooth grinder and my dentist said the only way to fix it was porcelain veneers. That was so expensive! To protect them, I also now wear a nightguard. The problem I am having is they keep popping off. I don’t know what to do. My dentist is good enough to glue them back in every time, but that is more time off work. Plus, I’m constantly terrified of them coming off because the tooth underneath the veneers is a tiny little nub. The last time, they came off at career day at my son’s school. It was humiliating both for me and my son. My dentist now says he wants to try something else, but what worries me about this is for every appointment thus far they have said sedation is necessary. I don’t remember anything from my appointments and I am out for a complete day. What do you recommend I do?

Carolyn

Dear Carolyn,

What a disaster! I am sorry this happened to you. It appears that not only do you have an incompetent dentist, but an unethical one as well. You keep saying porcelain veneers, but what your dentist gave you were porcelain crowns. Here is how I know this.

If you were getting porcelain veneers, the tooth prep would be more like what you see on the right. What you described is more like the photo on the left, with the little nubs. Some dentists who cannot do porcelain veneers will suggest porcelain crowns as an alternative. It appears that yours just straight out lies and says he’s giving you veneers when he is not.

Worse than that, your dentist does not even seem to be able to do your porcelain crowns correctly. This is mystifying to me because dental crowns are one of the first things we are taught in dental school. Most dentists go their entire careers without one crown falling out, let alone the number you are dealing with. Quite frankly, I am not sure how he even graduated.

Another thing that bothers me is the dental sedation. If you were getting porcelain veneers, all you would need is a local. However, you received porcelain crowns. Now, some people with severe dental anxiety might benefit from sedation in these types of cases, but you never even mentioned dental anxiety. It was your dentist who said this was necessary.

I think your dentist should pay to have this fixed by another dentist. Unfortunately, because you were given dental crowns, you are now stuck with dental crowns. That tooth structure he ground down will not come back. But, you can get a beautiful, functional smile that will stay put. In your place, I would go to a dentist that is AACD accredited. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country. Again, your dentist should cover this expense. If not, you can go to the dental board and even file a lawsuit. That should sober your dentist up.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Will CEREC Crowns Cost More?

Posted on March 15, 2023 by writeradmin.

I need a dental crown on a front tooth and am not too keen on having to go to two appointments before I get my permanent tooth. I know that CEREC crowns can give me a crown in one appointment and I like that idea. Is it much more expensive?

Carol

Dear Carol,

Same-day crowns are a great way to save time. It is wonderful to be able to walk out of the office with your restoration in place in just one appointment. They are made from all porcelain and can give you a wonderful restoration.

Do CEREC Crowns Cost More?

The machines that mill the crowns cost the dentists about six figures to purchase. That is a tidy sum. The good news is despite that, CEREC crowns do not usually have much of a cost difference between them and the traditional crowns that are milled in a lab. This is because while the dentist is making monthly payments on his machine that do set him or her back quite a bit, they are not paying the lab fees. While not completely evening out, they are close. That being said, bear in mind that every dentist sets their own fees. I cannot guarantee that every dentist will have similar fees.

CEREC Crowns on Front Teeth

One thing to be careful of if you are getting a CEREC crown on a front tooth is what dentist does the work. CEREC crowns are milled from a single block of porcelain. This means the dentist needs to have great artistic skills and understand how the stains and shadings will work so that the tooth will look natural. Without that, it will have a flat, uniform appearance while your natural teeth that surround it will have varying opacities.

I would look for a dentist who is AACD accredited. In order to reach that level, they had to pass stringent exams and demonstrate a high level of technical skill and artistry to an examination board using cases they have done themselves.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Can I Avoid Braces By Getting Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on January 14, 2023 by writeradmin.

I was never able to get braces while growing up. Because of that, my two front teeth overlap a little. I’m 41 years old and do not want to wear metal wires and brackets. Someone told me that porcelain veneers can make your teeth look straight. Is this true? Is there anything I need to know?

Laurie Anne

Dear Laurie Anne,

Depending on the severity of the misalignment and in the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, porcelain veneers can definitely make your teeth look straight. Bear in mind that I have not examined you but based on your description, you sound like the perfect candidate for this. You asked if there are things you need to know. Yes, there definitely are.

First, you will want to find the right dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, nor are smile makeovers taught in dental school. In order to develop the skill and artistry necessary to do beautiful cosmetic work, dentists have to invest in post-doctoral training. Unfortunately, because it is not a recognized specialty, any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of the amount of training they have invested (or not invested) in getting.

It is tricky for patients to know who has this training and artistry and who does not. My suggestion is to look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. In order for dentists to reach accreditation, they have to pass stringent exams as well as demonstrate their artistry to an examination board with a large number of cosmetic procedures they have done themselves. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the country.

One other thing to be aware of is that it will be cheaper for your to whiten your teeth first and then get porcelain veneers only on the top teeth that are visible when you smile. The teeth whitening will make sure the smile looks uniform even though you will not have a porcelain veneer on every tooth.

If it turns out your bite is so severely off that you need orthodontics, do not despair. You still will not have to resort to metal wires and brackets. These days, most adults are candidates for Invisalign. This uses clear aligners to shift your teeth into their proper position. Even at a conversational distance, no one will know that you are wearing orthodontics.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Can You Have a Beautiful Smile with Enamel Hypoplasia?

Posted on September 29, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have enamel hypoplasia and am horribly embarrassed whenever I smile. In fact, I avoid smiling in public as much as possible. Is there a solution for someone in my position?

Deanna

Dear Deanna,

I am glad you wrote. There are great ways to get a beautiful smile, even if you have enamel hypoplasia. Which treatment you use will depend on the level of hypoplasia you are dealing with.

For those who may not be aware of what Enamel Hypoplasia is, let me explain. Most of the enamel of your teeth is developed before birth and goes until about the age of twelve. Hypoplasia is a defect where the enamel on the tooth never fully develops. This can happen as a genetic defect or as a result of disease during the tooth formation stage of development.

If you have mild hypoplasia, this may manifest as white spots on your teeth. There are other causes for white spots on teeth, one of which is decalcification, which is a precursor to tooth decay. The solution, whether it be hypoplasia or decalcification would be to have composite dental bonding done.

Severe hypoplasia is characterized by thin, pitted enamel. In many cases, you can see the dentin of the tooth. In these cases, I only recommend porcelain veneers as the solution.

Either Procedure Requires an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

Whichever procedure you choose, it is important that you choose an expert cosmetic dentist. Many patients are not aware that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. This means that any general dentist can do it regardless of the amount of training they have. Because it is not taught in dental schools, the additional training is a must.

In your position, because hypoplasia is such a challenging case for a smile makeover, I would only go to an dentist who has achieved accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD Accredited Cosmetic Dentists are in the top 1% of their field. They’ll be able to give you a smile that is stunning.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

Are Snap-on Veneers a Good Alternative

Posted on January 13, 2022 by writeradmin.

I have a bunch of discoloration on my teeth and want to get a smile makeover. My dentist quoted me quite a bit of money for that. Someone told me you can get snap on veneers online. I looked and some of them are only $500 for the whole set. Is this a good alternative?

Ivan

Dear Ivan,

It really depends on what type of expectations you have. As you probably gathered from the name, porcelain veneers are made of porcelain. That is not the case with snap-on veneers. These are generally made of acrylic. They will not look nearly as natural. Additionally, because they snap over your teeth, they will look bulky. So, if you go into it with expectations of an “okay” smile, you may be satisfied. However, I would not do the DIY ones online. They will fit even worse and could cause you some pain.

The best brand is Snap-on Smile. You would do it through a dentist who can fit your bite properly. Even then, they always need some adjustments when they come in that require special tools. You would not be able to do that on your own.

In general, these are recommended for someone with a horrible smile who is going for a job interview, or maybe someone doing a special photoshoot. For you, I would recommend if you do decide to get them, do it as a temporary measure while you save up for a better smile makeover. Truthfully, these snap-on veneers only last about three or four years anyway, so you’d have to keep buying them over and over or work to get something more permanent.

I know this probably isn’t what you wanted to hear, but I didn’t want to give you false expectations.

Who Should Do Your Porcelain Veneers

Because true porcelain veneers are so costly, I want to make sure you get the smile you really want. You should be aware that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. As a result, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of the training they have or do not have. To make matters even more difficult, smile makeovers are not taught in dental school. It is up to the dentist to invest the time and money in that training.

One sure way you can get a cosmetic dentist who does have both the training and artistry to give you a stunning smile is to go to an AACD accredited dentist. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.

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