Baton Rouge Dentist

My new crown is now sensitive to heat and cold

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Man holding face in pain and needng an affordable dentist for root canal treatmentAlthough I had not seen a dentist in more than five years, I knew I needed help when my bottom left second molar cracked. I asked co-workers about a dentist they like because none of us have dental insurance from the job. And we all need affordable care, so I looked at Google reviews for recommendations and chose a dentist. I probably should have asked my co-worker if he ever had major work done with this dentist and not just a dental cleaning. Anyway, the dentist prepared my tooth for a crown. While I wore the temporary crown, it hurt when I chewed, and it was sensitive to cold. Maybe it was too tight or something because it made my gums sore. I got the permanent crown in earlier this month, and the symptoms got worse. The dentist took another x-ray and did a cold and pressure test, and tapped on my tooth. The cold sensitivity went away quickly, but I felt no pain with the pressure test. And he tested my bite, which of course hurt because it hurts when chew. The dentist said the pressure sensitivity is expected for up to three months. So he wants me to wait. Now my tooth is sensitive to hot food. Is my tooth nerve dying.? I hate to see another dentist, but I am not a fan of pain either. What is going wrong? Thank you. Myles from GA

 

Myles,

Thank you for contacting our office and clearly describing your symptoms. We recommend that you call and endodontist today.

Issues that Can Result from a Cracked Tooth

When a tooth cracks, the tooth pulp (living tissue and nerves) can be damaged. And if the pulp is irritated and infected, it will die.

When a New Crown is Sensitive to Cold and Painful

When a new crown is sensitive to cold and pain, and the symptoms linger, it is usually a sign of an infection. Although it is common to feel some sensitivity for a few days, it should not last if the dentist adjusted your bite correctly. As the crown gets sensitive to heat, you might have irreversible pulpitis, and an endodontist will look for damage to your tooth ligaments.

Your tooth sensitivity began after crown preparation. Possible causes include:

  • Incompletely sealing the temporary crown
  • Tooth irritation during preparation
  • A combination of the above

A dentist can minimize sensitivity by:

  • Coating the tooth with a desensitizing product, but may your dentist did that
  • Cementing the temporary crown with strong material to help the tooth settle down
  • Remove the crown for root canal treatment if symptoms do not improve
  • Not cementing the final crown on an already irritated tooth

Finding a New Dentist

After root canal treatment, you will need a quality dental crown. Look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training who offers financing or payment plans—ways to make your care affordable. Most dentists have payment options for patients who do not have dental insurance.

Do not delay getting treatment because an endodontist may be able to save your tooth.

 

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

Dental insurance dropped my dentist

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My dentist of 12 years is no longer in-network with my insurance. Over the years, I had perfect results with crowns from the dentist. But during open enrollment in November, I learned that the dentist is not in my dental plan. I was waiting for this year to use my flexible spending money toward another crown, but I am nervous about the choices I have for available dentists. If I go out of network and back to my former dentist, I am afraid that I cannot afford it. How can I find a dentist with reasonable fees and quality work within a small network of dentists? – Thank you. Reuben from GA

 

Reuben,

Over the years, we have heard and seen many stories of dental care casualties that resulted from dental plan changes that exclude your trusted dentist. Patients often feel forced to switch to a new dentist that accepts their insurance, and sometimes trouble follows.

Why Insurance Companies Exclude Dentists from Their Plans

Insurance companies often exclude dentists from their plans because the company is trying to save money. An insurance company may contact all dentists in an area with a list of their discount fee plans. But dentists who focus on quality care know that they cannot maintain their high standards at the insurance company’s rates.

Other dentists will accept the insurance company’s rates but take shortcuts or skip steps to accommodate patients with that insurance plan. The result is lower-quality care and dental treatment that will not last as long. And it is not easy to find a dentist who offers high-quality crowns and knows how to ensure your new crown is in harmony with your bite.

How to Get Quality Dental Care with Your Current Insurance

Many insurance companies allow you to see the dentist of your choice if you are willing to pay more. You can submit your dental claims to the insurance company, and they might provide minimal benefits. Speak with your former dentist to find out how they can make treatment affordable for you. Some ways include:

  • Financing – Some dentists offer no-interest financing through companies like CareCredit®.
  • Phased treatment – Many dentists are willing to complete dental work in phases to help you pay for services as your dentist provides them.
  • Payment plans – Some dentists have in-office payment plans that allow you to pay for dental services in installments.

What If You Must Switch Dentists?

Diagram of the stages of affordable dental crowns
Talk to your dentist about making crowns affordable before switching to a new dentist

If you must switch dentists due to insurance limitations, you can find a new one with these steps:

  • Ask for recommendations – Talk to friends, family members, or co-workers about their dentist. Ask how long they have been with the dentist and if the dentist completed any major dental work for them.
  • Search online reviews – You can find patient reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
  • Schedule consultations – Schedule at least two consultations with dentists. Look online for information about the dentist’s post-graduate training and experience. Ask each dentist how many patient cases like yours they have completed. And ask how often the dentist completes the procedure.
  • Examine the dentist’s smile gallery – Some dentists have online smile galleries. But during a consultation, you can ask to see before-and-after photos of the dentist’s work. Ask to see pictures of patient cases like yours.

During the next open enrollment, you can look for available insurance plans that include your dentist.

Best wishes.

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

Looking for a dentist to bring out the best in a Snap-On Smile

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After my online research about getting an affordable smile makeover, I know that I cannot afford cosmetic dentistry. So, I looked at other options and learned about a Snap-on Smile. It’s clear that this isn’t the best option, but anything will look better than my teeth.

Many dentists online criticize the Snap-on Smile, but when you don’t have money for porcelain veneers, there are no good alternatives. The shape of my teeth is irregular, and they look mismatched. Based on everything I read, I hope to find a dentist who can adjust the Snap-On Smile to make it look better and not so bulky.

Is it possible to find a dentist with reasonable fees to flatten the Snap-On Smile teeth, especially near the gumline and deepen the grooves between the teeth so it looks more natural? And does any dentist have the tools to do this, or should I look for a Snap-On Smile dentist? I was hoping for a dentist with an artistic eye who won’t make the appliance look worse. I know that my regular dentist is not willing to do this. I already asked, and she refuses. Thanks for your help. Elysia from TN

Elysia,

Our priority is to protect patients’ oral health, so we must be upfront about your expectations from a Snap-On Smile. It will not give you the smile makeover you’re hoping for. The appliance is not designed to do that.

Reasons a Snap-On Smile Won’t Give You a Smile Makeover

As you read during your research, many dentists criticize the Snap-On Smile. And it’s because they or their peers have used it with disappointing results. Any honest dentist will tell you that a Snap-On Smile will give you an acceptable smile—not an attractive smile. Although the smile might look natural from a distance, when you’re close enough to talk to anyone, it will be easy to tell that your smile is not real.

  • Tooth color – The teeth have a uniform flat whiteness with no variation in color like natural teeth.
  • Tooth shape – The shape of the teeth in a Snap-On Smile does not look real. Think of artificial flowers that look artificial. You understand their purpose to provide decoration, but you know they are fake. It’s the same with this oral appliance.
  • Limitations of the appliance – Although you feel confident about helping a dentist get the smile just the way you want, the appliance’s limitations will not allow it. And an artistic dentist will not want to be involved in helping you create a cosmetic dentistry nightmare.

A Snap-On Smile is designed to be a quick way to make a lousy smile look half-way decent. It won’t last if you wear it every day.

Dental Bonding – An Affordable Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

Before-and-after dental bonding photos
A dentist with cosmetic dentistry training can use dental bonding to reshape teeth and fill small gaps

Your comments suggest that you found no solution between porcelain veneers and a Snap-On Smile. Were you able to find information on cosmetic dental bonding? An artistic dentist can apply dental bonding to your teeth to conceal chips, reshape your teeth, and fill small gaps.

Cosmetic dentists know how to blend composite to match your natural tooth color, translucence, and gloss. Although bonding doesn’t last as long as porcelain veneers, it is a fraction of the cost.

We recommend looking for a cosmetic dentist, scheduling a consultation, and discussing your treatment options. You can also ask about the dentist’s financial options for making treatment affordable.

 

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge sponsors this post

Salty Taste in Your Mouth from Porcelain Veneers? Four Possible Causes

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After visiting three cosmetic dentists for porcelain veneers, I chose one for her skill and her payment options to make my veneers affordable for me. I was so excited to get the veneers in early March. They look great and fit well on my teeth. In mid-May, I began to have a salty taste in my mouth. I sense it daily, and I’ve never had this happen before I received porcelain veneers. Is there something about porcelain veneers that might leave a salty taste in my mouth? Maybe I should have chosen the #2 dentist on my list. Thanks. Jonah

Jonah,

Standard porcelain veneer placement doesn’t leave a salty taste in your mouth. What you’ve described about your dentist and the fact that you’re pleased with your porcelain veneers’ look sounds like she gave you a fabulous smile makeover. The salty taste in your mouth isn’t related to your cosmetic dentist’s affordable treatment.

Causes of Bad Taste or Odor After Porcelain Veneers

Although a cosmetic dentist can provide affordable work, you can still get quality results

A bad taste—not necessarily salty—can result after porcelain veneers in these cases:

  • Excess cement left after the bonding process – The excess will prevent you from thoroughly flossing between your teeth. Food particles breed bacteria, promote decay, and lead to a bad taste and odor.
  • Space between the veneer and your gums – Bacteria can leak behind the veneers and cause a bad taste in your mouth.
  • Infection – Improperly placed veneers can lead to gum inflammation and gum disease, which can affect the taste in your mouth.

But an advanced cosmetic dentist has post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry and can prevent the above issues with porcelain veneers. Again, it doesn’t sound like your dentist—or your porcelain veneers—are the cause of the salty taste.

What Can Cause a Salty Taste in Your Mouth?

But if the taste is your mouth is salty, what might be the cause?

A June 2019 article from Harvard Men’s Watch Health lists the following culprits:

  1. Medication – Certain prescription medications can make your taste buds more sensitive to salt.
  2. Excessive tearing in your eyes – As tears drain into your lower eyelids’ ducts, into your nose, and down the back of your throat, you can taste the saltiness of the tears.
  3. Salivary gland dysfunction – A reduction of saliva in your mouth can leave a salty taste.
  4. Acid reflux – The flow of acid from your stomach and into your mouth can cause a bitter, sour, or salty taste.

Talk with your dentist and your primary care doctor about the salty taste in your mouth. They can help identify possible causes and determine if it’s a health concern that needs treatment.

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.

Dentist Placed the Wrong Crowns Without Your Consent? How to Resolve It

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In February, I switched dentists because I moved 70 miles from my former dentist. I chose my new dentist because her office is close to work and her fees are more affordable than most. My teeth were severely decayed, so the dentist recommended porcelain crowns for my upper six front teeth.

My dentist told me that I would receive all-porcelain crowns, so when the crowns were placed, I assumed that I was receiving them. But when I looked at my teeth in the mirror, I knew something was wrong. My dentist explained that halfway through the procedure, she saw that there wasn’t enough space for all-porcelain crowns, and their contact with the bottom teeth would wear down the edges of the bottom teeth. She ordered porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns from the lab. She never told me about the switch. She placed them, and only after asking me to look in the mirror, she mentioned the change.

My eyes were full of tears. I’m disappointed because I know I’ll have a black line around my gums that shows when I smile. Although the crowns don’t look bad, they aren’t what I expected and agreed to.

My dentist told me that the crowns look good so I shouldn’t complain. She also said that if I get a second opinion, the next dentist will tell me that same thing. She said that my case is closed. I’m beginning to regret looking for a dentist based on location and fees. I’ve been robbed of my money and my smile. What are my options? – Thanks, Kelsie from Mobile, AL

 

Kelsie,

How do you know when your tooth needs a porcelain crown? Generally speaking, when a tooth is damaged to the degree that it is in danger of breaking, a crown is required to protect what remains of the of the tooth's structure. You may wonder why Dr. Perry would not just remove a tooth damaged to that degree–it is because the loss of a tooth also means the loss of bone mass in the jaw at the site of that missing tooth.
You can find an affordable dentist with advanced training in tooth restoration and crown placement

Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are not your only option. Many skilled cosmetic dentists place all-porcelain—or all-ceramic—crowns on upper front teeth. The difference is that cosmetic dentists are artists with advanced training who understand which materials to use to minimize wear on opposing teeth. An advanced cosmetic dentist will ensure your porcelain crowns fit well and keep your bite aligned.

You can pursue legal action against your dentist, and you might have a good case based on her actions:

  • Gave you porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns without your consent
  • Didn’t give you the opportunity to refuse the crowns.
  • Isn’t agreeable to correcting the issue and ensuring our satisfaction.

Another option is to get a trained cosmetic dentist to re-do your crowns at the expense of your current dentist You can report the case to the state dental board and ask an attorney to send a letter to your dentist about the violations of your rights. Your current dentist will likely be willing to compromise.

How Can You Avoid Receiving the Wrong Restorations in the Future?

  • Ask your dentist what type of restorations you will receive.
  • Keep track of when your dentist says he or she will place an order with the lab to craft your crowns. Ask again about the type of crowns you’ll receive.
  • Before your crowns are bonded to your teeth, as your dentist if your crowns have a metal foundation, or if they are all ceramic.

Although a skilled cosmetic dentist’s fees might not be as low as your current dentist, there are ways to make treatment affordable without sacrificing quality. Talk to your new dentist about payment options.

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.

Root Canal or Extraction – How to Decide Which Is Best

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In January, my dentist put a crown on an upper right molar with a cracked silver filling. He said the filling had expanded and was putting pressure on my tooth. The tooth was too weak to do another filling. I agreed to the crown, but the entire procedure was uncomfortable, my dentist couldn’t numb my gums enough, and I could feel the drilling. My dentist didn’t mention that the tooth might need a root canal later.

When my dentist tested by bite, it was painful and didn’t feel right. He couldn’t get it right to my satisfaction, so he told me to give it a few days. It was painful to chew on the tooth and to brush it and floss around it. I called my dentist’s office and left a message for my dentist. A dental assistant returned my call and said that the dentist thinks the sensitivity is normal and would decrease in a few weeks.

I had an appointment for a second crown in early March, so I thought that would be a good time for my dentist to check the first crown. During the visit, my dentist looked at the crown and put a numbing solution on it. Although he didn’t volunteer to adjust the crown, I asked, and he did, but the crown was still painful. My dentists insisted that my bite needed to be adjusted, and the crown would feel fine. Due to the pandemic, I had to reschedule twice before I could see the dentist. Now that I’ve seen my dentist, he says that the tooth has a periapical abscess. I am sure that my dentist could have done something to prevent this. Now I need an extraction. I feel that I should receive a refund, but my dentist hasn’t offered it. Will you please tell me how to get a refund from my dentist successfully? Thank you. Callie from Pensacola, FL

Callie,

We are sorry to read about your disappointing experience with your dentist. Your concern I understandable. Your dentist should have told you that root canal treatment might be needed.

We’ll share some information with you that might help in the future. Although you’ve already spent time and money on your molar tooth, we recommend getting a second opinion. An advanced cosmetic dentist will explain your options for a crown and how he or she can make treatment affordable—especially since you’ve already incurred expenses with a faulty crown. And you might need to see an endodontist (root canal specialist) to preserve your tooth instead of extracting it.

Cracked Teeth and Root Canal Treatment

  • A cracked tooth risks needing root canal treatment
  • After you receive a crown, some sensitivity to temperature changes is normal; prolonged pain is not.
  • A bite that’s off and pain when you chew are problematic. When a dentist places a crown correctly, it will blend with your bite, and you won’t notice that you have a crown.

It’s alarming that you returned to your dentist, complained about the crown, and didn’t receive prompt attention. Your dentist only wanted to give you a second crown. It seems that your dentist’s priority is collecting fees, not protecting your oral health.

Trying to Get a Refund

Although your dentist might not agree to give you a refund, there are some things you can do that might motivate him. But weigh the pros and cons first, which we describe below.

  • Online reviews – Check your dentist’s online reviews. If they don’t have many bad reviews, if you threaten to add a negative one, it may get his attention. But if there are already several bad reviews and your dentist hasn’t responded to them online, adding your complaint probably isn’t a motivator for getting a refund.
  • Complain to the dental board – Although you could complain to the dental board, your dentist’s action isn’t unusual. Your situation could be viewed as a routine dental procedure that wasn’t successful.
  • File a lawsuit – If a dentist departs from the standard of care, they can be held legally liable. Based on your description, it doesn’t sound like your dentist did that. Although your dentist might have been careless, every dentist has placed crowns and had a tooth react afterward. It seems inappropriate for your dentist to place a crown on a second tooth without resolving the issue on the first one, but if the second tooth was damaged, delaying crown placement can create more problems.

Consider Getting a Root Canal

Diagram of tooth with needing a root canal treatment
A root canal may help save your tooth. Check with a skilled dentist to discuss how treatment can be made affordable for you.

If your tooth now has a periapical abscess, the tissue inside the tooth is dead, so root canal treatment will be painless—even without local anesthetic. We recommend that you see another dentist or an endodontist (root canal specialist). An endodontist has advanced training and technology to increase the chances of successful root canal treatment. If there are any challenges in the canals of your teeth, an endodontist can handle it.

What About Extraction?

Extraction is more invasive and traumatic than a root canal. A missing tooth affects your oral health in several ways:

  • Teeth keep each other aligned. When a tooth is missing, the surrounding and opposing teeth will drift into the space and create orthodontic issues.
  • Your bite will be disrupted.
  • You can eventually experience TMJ disorder.

Ryan Perry, DDS, of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.

Why Aren’t Prices on Dental Websites?

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Hello there,

I have been checking a lot of cosmetic dentistry websites in my hometown, and have noticed something. None of them seem to put any price information on their websites! Why is that? I would like to know the cost of any dentist before going to their office. I don’t want to waste time at a place I cannot afford anyway.

Why don’t more dentists put their pricing or costs on their websites? I, like many people, like to comparison shop. It would be helpful if more dentists put their cost information online.

Henry, from San Francisco, CA

 

Hi Henry,

You are correct, most dentists do not opt to put their pricing information online. One reason may be to avoid looking “cheap” or low quality to potential clients. Dentists know how to save their patient’s money, but posting this online may make them look unprofessional, like they cut corners or do shoddy work.

Some dentists that do post their prices online may be willing to work with you on the cost of dental work. However, in terms of dentistry, cheaper is not always better. In fact, cheap dental work may end up costing you more in the long run, as it may be made from lower-quality materials or may break in ten years instead of the usual fifteen to twenty. For example, a dental implant that costs more upfront but lasts fifteen years ends up being less expensive than a cheaper option that lasts only ten.

While cheaper is not always better, the most expensive option does not guarantee the best quality work, either. It is best to opt for a dentist whose fees are in between. To find out an office’s fees, call a few local dentists and ask them for their prices for a few common procedures. For example, get the prices for a dental hygiene appointment, a porcelain crown on a molar, and a multi-surface anterior composite filling. Comparing these prices between a few dental offices will give you a good idea of which office is best in terms of affordability.

Getting long-lasting dental work is not something that easily lends itself to comparison shopping for the cheapest deal. Instead, aim for somewhere in the middle fee-wise, and you will end up better off in the long run.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

 

Can I Go Back To This Dentist?

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Hello,

I went to see a cosmetic dentist in my area. I wanted to straighten my teeth and whiten my smile, so he recommended getting porcelain veneers. I was all set to make my first appointment when I got the estimate for my treatment. It was thousands of dollars over my budget! I asked if there was an affordable or alternative option, and they seemed upset with me.

I haven’t been back since. I had my heart set on having him as my dentist, but I don’t think he wants to work with me. What can I do?

Beatrice, from Lexington, Kentucky

 

Hello Beatrice,

Being able to speak honestly with your dentist is important. Since you voiced concerns over payment, your dentist should have mentioned other options. You can straighten and whiten your teeth without veneers. You can try orthodontics, or get a take-home whitening kit. You could start with a couple veneers and get more as you can afford them. Since he refused, he’s not willing to work with you, and isn’t doing what’s best for you. Dentists may be comfortable with certain solutions, but a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude will not get them very far.

You should get a second opinion from another dentist. Being upfront about your cost concerns is best. Hopefully, your next dentist will work within your limits to create the best treatment plan for you.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Where Can I Find the Cost of Dental Procedures?

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Hello there,

Why don’t dentists post their procedure costs online? I don’t want to waste my time with a dentist if I can’t afford their fees. I’d like to compare prices online before booking an appointment.

Simone, from Maine.

 

Hi Simone,

Most dentists don’t post their information online. Posting their prices can make a dentist appear “cheap” or “low quality”. Higher fees don’t mean higher quality, but a dentist willing to adjust prices by changing materials or cutting corners may not be the highest quality, either.

If a dentist doesn’t post their prices online, you can call the office and ask. Calling a few offices around your area and asking the costs of common procedures can help you find an affordable dentist. Doing so can help you determine the going rate in your area, and avoid any dentists that cost too much. Checking prices multi-surface composite fillings or crowns on posterior teeth or routine cleanings are a good place to start.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dentist and dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

How to Get a Natural-looking Crown on my Front Tooth?

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Hello,

My dentist suggested a porcelain crown over my front tooth to cover up some discoloration. He redid the first one because it was too white, but I don’t like the second one he cemented in. I noticed when I got home how unnatural it looks. He said he’d redo it but should I go back to him, or go see a cosmetic dentist in the city? The only reason I haven’t is because of cost.

Thanks,

Rebecca, from White Plains, NY

 

Hi Rebecca,

Even an expert cosmetic dentist would have many try-ins for a crown on the front tooth. Your dentist needs a few more tries to get it right, but may lack the cosmetic skills to get it to match perfectly. Most dentists will ask patients to crown both their front teeth in order to get them to match perfectly.

You should be able to find a cosmetic dentist within thirty miles to see. However, if your dentist is offering to fix the color of the tooth for free, you may want to keep working with them in order to save money. Your dentist should try taking a picture of your tooth using an intra-oral digital camera. Pictures taken with natural lighting help the most. Then, temporarily cement the crown, and only get it permanently cemented after seeing it in different types of lighting.

An expert cosmetic dentist can give you the most natural look, but if cost is a factor, continue working with your current dentist for a more affordable option.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.