About the Expert
About the ExpertKaren Williamson received her dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. She is certified in the Bioclear method, a CEREC doctor/mentor, and is an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, and the Crown Council of Dentists. She enjoys, hiking, and visiting unique places in Texas.
Q&A
What can I do about the spaces between my teeth?
Our goal is always to do what’s best for your teeth. In general, if you have what looks like a black triangle between your teeth in the front of your mouth, we can do a procedure called Bioclear bonding. The benefit is that this is an additive technique to close those spaces rather than removing tooth structure to put veneers on the teeth. Bioclear can also be used to make small teeth larger. Other options for closing spaces are available, but many of our patients qualify for Bioclear.
Can I cover the roots of my teeth?
We hear this question quite often, as patients are concerned that their teeth look long and their roots are showing. The Pinhole Surgical Technique® uses your own tissue to cover any exposed roots. Think of it as a gumlift – similar to a facelift — where we are raising the gums up to cover the exposed root. To determine if the Pinhole Surgical Technique® is right for your situation, schedule an examination with our office by visiting karenwilliamsondds.com.
I’ve been told that I can’t whiten my teeth because of my age or tooth structure. Is this always true?
Most patients can whiten their teeth successfully at any age. The safest and most effective method is to use custom-made trays with a professional whitening agent. The trays do most of the work since they are made specifically for each patient to prevent saliva from diluting the whitening agent and to keep whitening agent from leaking out onto the gums. A follow-up question is this: Does whitening harm the enamel? Actually, we can cause more destruction to our teeth by using abrasive whitening toothpastes. We are better off professionally whitening because it’s gentler and does not remove enamel.
What can you do for someone who has sensitive teeth but wants to whiten them?
Teeth can be sensitive while you’re whitening, so it’s best not to begin whitening until your initial sensitivity is decreased. Discontinue using whitening toothpaste and try using a professional desensitizer, which is available in dental offices. Not only is whitening toothpaste abrasive, but it can make your teeth even more sensitive as time goes on. If we calm the sensitivity with a professional desensitizer, it’s usually okay for our patients to proceed with teeth whitening.
What is a CEREC crown?
A CEREC crown is a porcelain crown we make in our office from start to finish. Made using CAD/CAM designing technology, the advantage is that it eliminates the hassle of wearing a temporary crown, which is required with most conventional dental crowns. With CEREC, there is no temporary. No second visit. We design and then fire and glaze the crown in the office. The CEREC software and scanner have been around for 30 years, and it has been a welcome blessing and timesaver for many patients.
