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.