Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for May 2021

If I can’t afford All-on-4, what are my options?

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I have been looking for implant dentures and saw a dentist who said he would do All-on-4 implants for me. I asked him for options, but he said that is my only recommendation. His cost is over $25,000, which is impossible for me to pay. If I cannot get implant dentures, what else is left? Thank you. Franklin from GA

Franklin,

We are concerned about a dentist who only recommends one type of treatment and does not offer options. For example, did the dentist examine your teeth and take a CT scan before recommending All-on-4 implants? All-on-4 is a technique that allows some patients to get implant dentures without bone grafting. But it does not work for everyone.

Implant Denture Alternatives to All-on-4

You can find a skilled implant dentist who offers affordable alternatives to All-on-4. Some alternatives include:

  • Snap-on denture – Two standard implants support your denture. A dentist will place the implants toward the front of your mouth. And your denture base will snap onto the implants.
  • Mini implants – Two or more many implants can stabilize your denture. But their support is not as strong as standard implants. Still, the risk is lower than All-on-4 implants, which require specialized skill and specific use.

If You Need Bone Grafting

Diagram of lower affordable dental implants with four screws
Ask an implant dentist about affordable implant options

If you need bone grafting because your jawbone levels are low, a dentist may recommend All-on-4 to prevent the need for grafting. But it is not your only option.

  • Depending on your case, you may have a better outcome if you agree to bone grafting.
  • Expect to three to four months of healing time before your dentist can place the implants.
  • A skilled implant dentist will explain the results you can expect with a snap-on denture vs. mini implants.

Schedule a Consultation

Although you cannot afford All-on-4, it does not mean that you cannot get implant dentures. Schedule a consultation with a skilled implant dentist to discuss alternatives that cost less. Before a dentist can offer definite treatment options, you will need an exam and a CT scan. The CT scan will measure your bone volume and help the dentist see your oral cavities to plan for precise implant placement.

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.

 

How long can I wait to get a root canal if I don’t feel pain?

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I’m trying to figure out when I need a root canal if I don’t feel any pain. I am job searching, and if the tooth can wait, I would prefer to postpone it. My left first molar tooth is discolored, and my dentist says that the tooth is infected. She wants to complete a root canal and cover the tooth with a crown. If the tooth does not hurt, is this really urgent? – Thank you. Marcus from OK

 

Marcus,

Thank you for your inquiry. Your dentist is right; a dark infected tooth requires treatment.

Why Is Your Tooth Turning Dark?

Diagram of abscessed tooth in need of emergency dental care and root canal treatment
A dead tooth need urgent dental care to stop the infection

Your tooth can turn dark from infection. When the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside) dies, it turns dark, and the discoloration shows through your tooth. Tooth pulp contains tissue and nerves, so you will not feel pain if the tooth is dead.

Can You Delay Root Canal Treatment?

Although you do not feel pain, your tooth infection is lingering. A dark tooth means that you have probably had the infection for some time. It can spread into your bone or your bloodstream. Although you may not feel pain, other symptoms of a long-term tooth infection include:

  • A foul taste or smell in your mouth
  • Difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • Swelling in your face or cheek
  • Tenderness or swelling under your jaw or in your neck (lymph nodes)
  • Fever
  • Gum disease
  • Dehydration
  • Stomach pain
  • Fatigue

A dead tooth is an urgent matter because the infection can poison other parts of your body.

What Can You Expect with Root Canal Treatment?

Root canal treatment is painless, but your tooth will be weak. And your dentist must protect it.

  • Painless – A skilled dentist uses a local anesthetic for painless root canal treatment. But if your tooth is dead, you will not feel any nerve pain.
  • Foul smell – A tooth that has been dead for years has a bad smell. You will probably notice it and be happy that your dentist removed the infection.
  • Protecting the tooth afterward – If you have a strict budget, you do not have to get a dental crown right away. Instead, ask your dentist to complete the root canal and protect your tooth until you can afford a crown.

After the dentist completes the treatment, you will probably feel better. You might have mild symptoms that you ignored or did not associate with your tooth.

Best wishes.

Ryan Perry, DDS of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post. For more information read our post, Does a Root Canal Tooth Always Need a Crown?