October 2011 - Ryan Perry, DDS

I am writing to see if you can tell me about some kind of agency or something that helps people find affordable dentists. I don’t have dental insurance right now. I found a dentist that does complimentary consultations, but the treatment prices they quoted me were frankly breathtaking. I know I have to have this work done, but I have to locate someone who has more reasonable rates.

I have a broken tooth, and it is really starting to bother me. It has been broken for quite a while, but just recently I’ve noticed swelling, and my face hurts when I wake up in the morning. In the last two days I’ve noticed the pain moving down my jaw, and my ear is bothering me, and my neck.

Can you give me a website or something? I appreciate any pointers.

Jay in Ferrisburg

Dear Jay,

What you describe sounds like an infection in your tooth, and it does indeed need to be treated. If you take antibiotics without first addressing the source of the infection within the tooth, you will make the problem worse. Oral antibiotics cannot reach the source of the infection unless you have a root canal treatment or have the tooth extracted. So even though you have to take care of this within your means, don’t try to cut corners by just taking an antibiotic.

Keep in mind, if you have a root canal treatment on the broken tooth, you may also have to have a porcelain crown placed over the tooth to protect the remaining structure. That will also add significantly to the bottom line.

Search for “affordable dentist” in your area, or just start calling to see who will work with you with payment plans or phased treatments. Some dentists are reluctant to advertise that they are “affordable” because they don’t want to leave the impression that their work is “cheap”. But with some diligence, you will be able to locate a dentist that will work with you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge dentist.

For years I have dreamed of having a really beautiful smile. I recently came into some money and decided to get porcelain veneers on my upper teeth. There is nothing major wrong with my teeth. They are a little small, and pretty stained, but overall structurally OK. One tooth is crooked, but it is not so bad that I ever considered braces.

And that is kind of why I am confused. The dentist I am working with says I should do Invisalign braces before we place my veneers, and that is kind of confusing to me. I thought the porcelain veneers would take care of any crooked teeth. Aren’t they also referred to as “instant orthodontics”? My dentist says that after I have the Invisalign treatment, the prep required to place the porcelain veneers would be minimal, which certainly sounds like a bonus, but is it really worth the time and expense? A year of treatment, and thousands of dollars don’t seem like a good trade for a few millimeters of tooth that will be under a veneer anyway. He wants to place Lumineers, but I’ve been reading kind of negative things about them on the web.

Do you have any advice?

Cecelia in Shreveport

Dear Cecelia,

Without seeing your case, it is impossible, of course to make definitive recommendations. It may be that you have a bite problem you are not aware of, or serious crowding issues. You really need to pursue this inquiry with your dentist, as it is quite unusual to recommend both procedures. Normally you would do porcelain veneers OR Invisalign, but not both together.

In this case, a second opinion is necessary. Go to a well recommended, experienced, artistic cosmetic dentist, and tell them what you want to have done. For the most accurate results you really should see a cosmetic dentist that also does Invisalign treatments. Don’t tell the second dentist about the recommendations of the first dentist until after he or she has offered an opinion. In this way you can get the truest assessment of the second dentist’s opinion on the best treatment options.

Best of luck.

This blog post is courtesy of Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Perry.

I need to find an affordable dentist

Which would be best – porcelain veneers or Invisalign?

Archives for October 2011