Expert Advice

No, laser whitening does not work on crowns, veneers, or fillings. Whitening treatments only affect natural tooth enamel because they work by breaking down organic stains within the tooth structure. Porcelain, composite resin, and other dental materials are inorganic and don't contain the molecules that whitening gel targets. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, I've seen many patients whiten their natural teeth beautifully, only to discover their existing restorations now look darker by comparison. This is why I always evaluate all visible restorations before whitening and discuss whether they'll need replacement after treatment to match your new brighter smile.

Yes, laser teeth whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity in about 60 to 70% of patients, but this discomfort is typically mild and resolves within 24 to 48 hours. The whitening gel penetrates enamel to break down stains, temporarily exposing microscopic pathways to the tooth's nerve during this process. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, I've found that using desensitizing treatments before and after whitening, adjusting gel concentration for sensitive patients, and providing proper aftercare instructions reduces sensitivity significantly. Most patients tell me the brief discomfort is absolutely worth the dramatic whitening results they achieve in just one appointment

Removing all four wisdom teeth at once is usually the most practical approach for healthy patients who can tolerate a longer procedure and recovery period. You undergo anesthesia only once, take time off work or school just once, and complete treatment in a single visit. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, about 70% of our patients choose this approach when all four teeth need removal. However, patients with medical conditions, high anxiety, or those who cannot afford extended recovery time sometimes benefit from removing two at a time. The decision comes down to your health status, pain tolerance, support system during recovery, and personal preference.

Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort for two to three days after a root canal, manageable with over the counter pain medication. Your tooth may feel sensitive to pressure or biting for about a week as the surrounding tissues heal from inflammation. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, I tell patients that the procedure itself eliminates pain rather than causing it. The relief from pre-treatment infection far outweighs temporary post-procedure sensitivity. Complete healing takes several weeks, but you can return to normal activities immediately and eat normally once numbness wears off, avoiding only very hard foods on that tooth initially

An apicoectomy is a minor surgical procedure that removes the tip of a tooth root and surrounding infected tissue when a standard root canal fails or cannot fully resolve an infection. I make a small incision in the gum, access the root tip through the bone, remove the infected portion, seal the end of the root canal, and close the gum. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, this procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes under local anesthesia and saves teeth that would otherwise need extraction. Success rates exceed 90%, making it an excellent option for preserving natural teeth when root canal retreatment isn't possible

Veneers and bonding serve similar cosmetic purposes but differ dramatically in durability, appearance, and cost. Veneers last 10 to 15 years, resist staining, and look incredibly natural, but cost significantly more and require tooth preparation. Bonding costs about one third the price, requires minimal tooth alteration, and completes in one visit, but stains within two to three years and needs replacement every three to five years. At Picasso Dental Clinic locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, I help patients choose based on their specific goals, timeline, and budget. For minor fixes or temporary solutions, bonding works beautifully. For lasting smile transformations, veneers deliver superior results.

Yes, veneers can effectively cover severely discolored teeth that don't respond to whitening treatments. I've used veneers to mask tetracycline staining, fluorosis, trauma discoloration, and dark teeth from root canals at Picasso Dental Clinic locations across Vietnam. The porcelain completely hides the underlying color while creating a natural, bright appearance. However, extremely dark teeth sometimes require special preparation techniques or slightly thicker veneers to prevent the darkness from showing through. In my decade treating patients in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, veneers have consistently delivered beautiful results even for the most stubborn discoloration cases.