Baton Rouge Dentist

My dentist refuses treatment unless I quit smoking.

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I want to get dental implants, but my detnist is refusing me treatment because I smoke. Is that legal? I found another dentist who’s willing to give them to me. He’s way more affordable, but I wanted to check out whether I should be concerned about the other dentist first. He seemed a little too eager.

Benjamin S. – Chicago

Benjamin,

Your dentist is under no legal obligation to give you dental implants. There is a really good reason he is asking you to quit smoking. Dental Implants are a difficult procedure even under the best of circumstances, and they fail often. When you add smoking the the mix, it significantly increases the chances of failure.

The toxins from the cigarettes restrict the blood flow in your gums. That is going to make it hard for you to heal and could lead to the implants falling out.

What you’re asking your dentist to do is equivalent of asking a contractor to build a house on quicksand.

That alone should make you wonder why that other dentist is so eager. I’m guessing he’s so affordable because he cuts corners. So, he’s not likely to care if they fail. He’s just after the money.

There are ways to get quality affordable dental implants if that is what you’re looking for,  and I’m sure you could find a skilled dentist who is willing. But,  what is the point if you’re not going to give the procedure its best chance?

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can’t afford implants; can’t live with dentures

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At at my daughter’s birthday party. It was a huge deal. All her colleagues from work were there. We’re wishing her happy birthday and singing to her, when my dentures fall into the punch bowl.  It was one of the more humiliating episodes of my life. I can’t keep living with these dentures, but when I priced dental implants the cost was higher than I expected. Is there something in between?

Maureen L. – Indiana

Maureen,

What a horrible thing to have happen.  I am sure you never want to repeat the experience. There is a middle ground between dental implants and dentures.  Have you looked into mini implants or implant overdentures? They are just two affordable dental implant options.

You want to be careful not just to call around for the cheapest dentist. You could end up with a horror story of misplaced implants or other dental implant failure. Sometimes the cheapest dentists are the ones who cut corners in places that are unfair, if not dangerous, to the patient.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Floored by the cost of dental implants

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I need three dental implants. I was absolutely floored by the cost–$10,000! Is there any way to get these less expensive?

Nora A. – Minnesota

Nora,

You’re not the first person to ask this question. It may be possible to find a dentist who will do your implants for less money, but you have to be careful about looking for the cheapest dentist.  Oftentimes, the only way those who are really cheap can afford it is by using sub-par materials. This can cause serious problems in your jawbone later.

There are ways to get affordable dental implants, such as mini implants. The key is to have honest communication with your dentist. Then he can work within your budget to give you the correct treatment.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

I’m worried about my jawbone

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My jawbone is getting smaller. My dentist says it is because I have dentures instead of dental implants and that it will keep happening. I don’t know what to do. I can’t afford dental implants, so my dentist says there is nothing more he can do for me. Are there no options?

Henry C. – Frankfurt, KY

Henry,

I’m sorry for the situation you are in. Did your dentist mention mini-implants? I hope so.  It is unethical to not give all your treatment options.

Mini-implants are a more affordable option, so that may be something you can do. It costs less, because the surgery is much simpler.

I am a little concerned about your bone loss. If you don’t have enough bone structure, which may be the case if you were recognizing it visually, then you’d have to have some bone grafting done, which will increase the cost.

Many dentists have payment plans that are low and even no interest. You might look into that as well.

This blog is brought to youby Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

I can’t eat food very well with my dentures

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I just got dentures and am finding that I cannot eat very well with them. I hate how the move around while I eat. I know dental implants would have been a better solution, but I can’t afford them. Is there a trick to eating with dentures?

Allison J. – Utah

Allison,

No, unfortunately, there isn’t any secret to eating with your dentures. I know it can be hard to afford dental implants. For that reason, many dentists have an alternative to traditional implants.

You can get affordable dental implants that will anchor your dentures. They aren’t as strong as their traditional cousins, but they will help you eat. They will also help prevent you from getting facial collapse.

This blog is brought to you Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

Traveling to Central America for Dental Implants

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My friend Deanna, went to a central american country to have a tubal ligation reversed. Doctors in the United States refused to perform this surgery on her because of her age. She crossed the border and had a great experience.

She had offered to drive me to the same area to get my dental implants.  I can’t afford them in the US and they are much more affordable in central america. Is it safe?

Amelia L.- Idaho

Amelia,

There is no way for me to adequately answer that question. Is it true that people go to other countries to have procedures done cheaply and have a good experience? Yes. But it is also true that people have horrendous experiences.

Many Central American countries have no resources for patients who have poor care. There are no consumer protection agencies and no laws protecting patients. Here in the U.S. there are standards dentists have to meet regarding sanitary equipment and standards on the materials used. There is no such protection south of our borders.

If you are looking for affordable dental implants, but want the security of U.S. medical standards, you could get mini implants. These have a significantly reduced cost. You could also do phased treatment, getting only a couple of implants at a time and saving up for the others. This will give you affordable care, without sacrificing standards or your safety.

This blog is brought to you by by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

Don’t want dentures

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I apparently need to get dentures, but don’t want them. My dentist told me that because of my budget I won’t be able to afford dental implants. I have been really sad that I’m stuck with a treatment that isn’t very good because I don’t have as much money as someone else.  Is there anything kind of treatment in between or am I stuck with dentures? Is there a program for people for people who can’t afford the treatment they want?

Brenda S.- Des Moines, IA

Brenda,

The only programs I am aware of is for women who need dental care because of domestic abuse.  If that happens to be your situation you can contact the people at “Bring Back A Smile” and they can point you in the direction of a dentist who volunteers their time with this organization.

If, fortunately, you are not in that situation, there are other options. You can get a type of affordable dental implants. What  you can do is have mini implants placed along with your dentures.  What it will do is stabilize your dentures. It won’t make your dentures as comfortable as dental implants, but it will keep them from slipping out and will help improve your chewing capacity to more than it would be with dentures alone.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

PERIO SURGERY VS. DENTURES?

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I need to have a periodontal surgery where they cut the gums and lay them open to clean the teeth and possibly fill in where there is bone loss. With insurance I’m looking at close to $4000, plus I need a deep cleaning prior to the surgery, which is $1200. From what I’ve been told because my bone loss is 6 to 8 throughout my gums, this may not work. I’m 36, and I’m wondering if it would be better to just have my teeth extracted and get dentures. What do you think?

Thanks, Howard

Dear Howard

Sorry to hear about your gum disease problem at such a young age, however your teeth sound like there still savable. Bone loss involving six to eight mm pockets is considered moderate periodontal disease and very treatable especially if your teeth have very little or no mobility. Having the periodontal treatment recommended will stop the progression of the disease, therefore will help prevent you from losing your teeth; however it is vital that you develop exceptional oral hygiene habits and have dental cleanings every 3 months to maintain your smile and dental health.

The periodontal surgery can cost about the same as having all your teeth extracted and having dentures placed. Dentures are not like your natural teeth and most people can’t eat some of the foods they are use to. New denture wearers develop sores and gum pain which can end after a while or can last a lifetime especially if the denture is poor fitting. The bone and gums shrink over the years and dentures can become loose, therefore need to be relined or replaced. Upper dentures seem to stay in place better due to the suction we gain from the roof of the mouth, however lower dentures are another story. On the lower arch we do not get the same suction, there is less of a foundation, and the movement of the tongue prevents the lower denture from staying in place most of the time. If you choose to get dentures we would recommend that you consult your dentist about an over-denture on the lower jaw. This consist of having dental implants placed on the lower arch which then attaches to the denture keeping it stable and more comfortable.

We highly recommend that you save your natural teeth if possible. Always remember you will never have another set of teeth like your own and a denture is the last resort one should take.  If you’re concerned how well your teeth will respond to the periodontal surgery and there longevity you should get a second opinion to help you make the best decision for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.