Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for March 2019

Can a Full Mouth Reconstruction Be Done By An Affordable Dentist?

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As a child, and into adulthood, there were many reasons that prevented me from seeing a dentist. Finally, I grew tired of having broken and missing teeth, and saw a dentist. He recommended that I receive a full mouth reconstruction. While this sounds like a wonderful option, the dollar amount is far beyond anything in my budget. Financing is not an option for me, as I have no credit. Are there any affordable dentists who would do a procedure like this without the hefty price tag?

Thanks,
John

Dear John,

A full mouth reconstruction procedure requires a deeper technical knowledge than what is taught in dental school. In order to help you figure out the option best for you, it would be beneficial for you to understand everything that goes into the procedure, as well as options to consider regarding your budgetary constraints.

What Does a Full Mouth Reconstruction Involve?

A full mouth reconstruction couples varying forms of aesthetics with restoration dentistry for improvement of function and cosmetic appearance. It is a lengthy and very detailed, planned out procedure and, therefore, expensive. And, because of the additional training, not all dentists are even qualified to perform such a procedure. Because of this, it is imperative that you research your options before choosing a dentist for a procedure like this, but your main concern regarding a full mouth reconstruction should never be cost.

What Options Exist If a Full-Mouth Reconstruction Is Financially Impossible?

If you are concerned with the cost, you should get opinions from other dentists to see if there are other options. It’s possible that dentures or partials and crowns may work, if your budget is tight. Regardless, it is important to find a quality dentist, then share your budget with them. This will help them better provide you with solid options which can help your problem, yet fit within your range.

This article is provided by the office of Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Did mouth injury cause teeth to turn gray?

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I was with my friends at a local venue when, out of the blue, a fight began. I was not involved, but happen to be standing close. Close enough, actually, that I ended up getting shoved by a group of men. When I hit back, a bouncer came out of nowhere and hit me in the face. I left unharmed for the most part, but my mouth was bleeding badly. At the time, I thought it would stop and heal on its own, not really given much thought to it. However, now my bottom teeth are turning gray. This isn’t something I’ve seen a doctor for, but am wondering if I should be seen by an emergency dentist. Or, do you think it will heal on its own? I’m also curious if I am seen by a dental professional, if the venue would be responsible for paying for my medical bills, since it was their employee who hit me.

Thank you for any help you can provide,

Brian

Dear Brian,

When teeth are injured or experience trauma, and it sounds like yours definitely did, it can kill the pulp of the tooth and cause the teeth to die. A dying tooth can look gray, as you are describing, similar to a bruise on skin. Regrettably, when the teeth start to change color, there is nothing that can be done to reverse the damage. They are turning gray because there is no blood flowing into them, causing the inside to become lifeless, turning into an attractive location for bacteria to develop. If this happens, the tooth needs to be treated with a root canal as soon as possible, or it will eventually fall to infection.

You asked if you should consult an emergency dentist. There are several reasons for a person to see an emergency dentist. The list below may help you answer this question.

Reasons to see an emergency dentist

  • Toothache
  • Signs of Infection
  • Severely Broken Tooth
  • Oral or Facial Pain

It doesn’t sound like you’re currently in pain. However, if you were, you would want to see your dentist as soon as possible. But, since it seems that you’re dealing with discoloration and not pain, it doesn’t necessarily render seeing an emergency dentist at this time. That said, it is still very important for you to schedule an appointment with your regular dentist as soon as you can. If you don’t have this treated, it will escalate into a major infection.

Who Pays for Treatment

It is hard to determine if the venue will take on the financial responsibilities of your dental treatment. If the incident was reported, they may be willing to handle the damages. However, if there is no documentation of the problem, you may need to get legal advice and try to handle this in court. Regardless, please do not stall your treatment because you are waiting to find out if someone else will cover the costs. You may end up incurring additional costs and trouble because you delayed the treatment. In addition, most courts expect you to seek care right away if you have a legitimate injury. But, you’ll want to speak to a lawyer for advice regarding the legal matters.

This blog post is sponsored by Baton Rouge emergency dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.