Should I get my teeth restored before getting over my bulimia?

Dr. McKay,
I have been suffering from bulimia, and am trying to get over it. Meanwhile, my front teeth are badly chipped and look terrible.

If I get porcelain crowns on the front teeth, and I still have problems with bulimia, will the acid dissolve away the porcelain? Or can I get this dental work done while I am trying to get over my problems?

- Unnamed

Dear Unnamed,
If you get porcelain crowns, the porcelain won’t dissolve away in the acid when you purge. The problem is that there is always a small area of the tooth next to the attachment to your gum that the crown doesn’t cover. And if you are still having problems with bulimia, that tiny area of the tooth will be subject to dissolving away, which can create a gap in the margin of the crown that will allow food particles and bacteria to get up inside your crown.

I’d recommend seeking professional help for your bulimia, if you haven’t already. It’s possible that your therapist may think it wise to proceed with some dental restoration as part of an overall recovery program, but I’d defer to their professional judgment on that.

Links:
Bulimia and teeth
Seattle cosmetic dentist
Laser dentistry

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Will porcelain veneers bond to my fillings?

I am thinking about getting porcelain veneers, but am wondering, will they stick to my teeth if I have fillings in my front two teeth?
- Anna in California

Anna,
Yes, porcelain veneers will bond to white fillings. The bonding agent used with porcelain veneers is chemically the same as the filling material used for white fillings, so they form one cohesive unit.

If the fillings are really large, however, your cosmetic dentist may recommend going with full coverage crowns on the front two teeth. Bonded all-porcelain crowns are not like the ugly porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. They are practically the same as porcelain veneers, except they cover the backs of the teeth as well as the front, and thus they will strengthen the teeth. That may be needed if your teeth have been weakened by large fillings.

Related links:
Seattle Cosmetic Dentist

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