Q: Due to personal finance issues I cannot afford porcelain veneers ($14,000!) and yet my teeth are too sensitive for bleaching. What other options do I have?…B.G. in Boca

A: As Captain Stubing would say on the Love Boat: “Your ship has come in.” (Or in this case, your smile has come in.) Over the past twenty years, many patients have asked me: “Can’t you just put some kind of white paint over my teeth; like Liquid Paper correction fluid?” Finally, we tooth docs can now say YES!

Bleach-free whitening made by Denmat, the company that brought you Lumineers, has come out with a “paint-on” whitening material. The dentist applies a super thin layer of an opaque resin that is hardened with a UV light, followed by a glaze. For under $1000, your whole mouth can be done in one visit with no sensitivity and more predictable and longer lasting results compared to bleaching. However, you cannot change the shape of the teeth or correct any crookedness as in veneers.

For a free consumer guide on this breakthrough, contact us.

Dr. Josephs practices in Palm Beach and can be reached at drjosephs@palmbeachdentist.com , 1-888-DRTOOTH or visit www.palmbeachdentist.com