Baton Rouge Dentist

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.

Do Quality Affordable Dentists Exist?

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I haven’t had dental insurance until just recently, within the last seven to eight months. Because of this, I haven’t kept up on my dental checkups and have many dental issues which need work.

Once I received my dental insurance benefits, I met with a dentist to discuss my treatment options and learned they would cost me over $12,000. Even with insurance, that cost was not an option, so I headed for the door and began my search for a dentist I could afford.

However, what I’m finding is dentists with low costs aren’t accompanied by good reviews. I’ve taken advantage of some of the

The problem I’m running into is that the ones I find who advertise low-cost dentistry also don’t have great reviews. I’m also finding that those dentist whom I do meet with feel hurried, rushed, like they are moving from one patient to the next, and treating multiple patients at the same time. This won’t work for me. I have a great deal of dental work to be done, therefore I want someone who will focus on me, establish a genuine relationship with me, and make me feel comfortable.

Is it possible to find an affordable dentist who does quality work?

Thank you,
Abby

Dear Abby,

Great questions. It is possible to find good dental work, within your budget parameters, but not without changing your thinking some.

From the surface level, it may seem to the patient that services which dentists offer, as well as the techniques they use for these services, may be similar from dentist to dentist. However, dentists are all different and have various approaches to treatment and customer care. If you focus your search on dentists who are inexpensive, there are only so many ways for them to cut cost and you may be sacrificing service.

Ways Dentists Can Cut Costs

  1. A dentist can limit his or her time with their patients. This may cause an assembly line type of service, and less one one one attention.
  2. A dentist can use less expensive materials.
  3. A dentist can reduce operating costs by staffing fewer people on his or her team, recruiting those with less experience, or offering fewer amenities in their office.

Therefore, each of these cost-cutting measures would impact your experience as a patient, so you should avoid offices which use these tactics and instead, focus your search on finding quality care that fits within your budget.

Ways to Make Dentistry More Affordable

  1. Some dental offices will segment your treatment plan into smaller pieces, allowing you to take on the expenses individually, per each treatment, as your budget allows.
  2. Look into offices which offer financing options. A few offices offer in-house programs, while many use programs such as CareCredit, which offers interest-free financing for a limited amount of time.
  3. Utilize insurance benefits. If you don’t currently have insurance, get it. Also, look into a secondary insurance. Be aware of waiting periods though, as some companies will make you wait close to a year before using services.
  4. Be sure you are taking full advantage of insurance. Ask the dental office about ways to get the insurance company to cover more, and be sure you are utilizing all what the insurance company will pay.

If you focus your search on finding a great dental office with whom you mesh and can establish a solid relationship, but the treatment cost is outside your budget, be sure to let them know. A good dentist will find ways to help make the cost manageable for you.

Good luck!

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

If you find an office you jive with, but the cost of treatment makes it feel like it’s out of reach for you, let them know. A great office will help you find ways to start getting your treatment done, even if it is just a little at a time.

 

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.

Why is my teeth whitening causing me pain?

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I have been whitening my teeth, using an at-home system, for a couple of weeks now and have had no problems. However, during my whitening session yesterday, I experienced an intense pain for about half of a minute in my front tooth. This tooth has a dental bond that was chipped and corrected over a decade ago. Do you think the pain is any indication that the dental bond needs replaced? Or, is there any chance that the whitening I’ve been doing is causing the bond to lose its strength? I’m worried that it could be both.

Thank you,
Lindsay

Dear Lindsay,
It is unlikely that the bleaching would cause the bond on your tooth to weaken. The bleaching gel has no history of weakening bonds such as this. In addition, if the bond were beginning to lose its strength, the repair, which you mentioned having done to to the chip in the bond, would likely fall off and not just cause pain.


The pain you mentioned experiencing can be attributed to the bleaching gel applied to a part of the tooth which is sensitive. If the tooth has been chipped and repaired, it’s possible that the part which is sensitive was previously covered by a bonding agent that is no longer there.

This is a good reminder that teeth whitening is best done under the supervision of a dentist and hopefully this is the case with you. You should make your dentist aware of the pain you’ve been experiencing. He or she should be able to determine the cause of the problem. If there is a sensitive part to the tooth, something can be applied to address the sensitivity, allowing you to move forward with your current bleaching treatment. It is important that you address this prior to any more bleaching.

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

Why did my dental implant fail?

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I am in desperate need of dental implants that are affordable. I consulted several dentists, but had succumbed to the idea that my only affordable choice was a partial denture. Not all of the dentists I met with suggested this. Some advised that I needed dental bridges, and one even suggested I needed surgery. I finally landed on a dentist who said he could provide me with affordable dental implants, with no prior surgery. It never occurred to me that I should have questioned this, seeing as none of the other dentists made this suggestion. Therefore, I proceeded with his treatment plan and received the implants. Unfortunately, they have been problematic from the beginning. In fact, one of them fell out completely! Is this typical or did I receive sub-par treatment? The dentist states that there is no way to anticipate problems like this, and sometimes dental implants fail. Is this the case, or did I have the wool pulled over my eyes?

Thank you,
Mandy

Dear Mandy,

The affordability of the implants is not as important to answering your question as is the skill level of the dentist. The success rate of a procedure such as this can be as high as 98%. However, this statistic varies greatly based on the skill and experience of the dentist.

No, a dental implant completely falling out is not common. If no other symptoms accompanied this issue, the signs point to the implant not having adequate time to complete integrate with the bone before the crown was placed. This is called osseointegration, and generally takes six to nine months to be fully complete.

It is possible that your dentist did everything correctly, yet your body rejected the false tooth. This has happened before and there is no way to predict to whom it will happen. But, when it does happen, and the body rejects the tooth, it can look different from patient to patient.

Considering all of the above factors, it is difficult to conclude whether your dentist was just inexperience, or if he short-changed you. It would be a a great idea for you to consult with an experienced dental implant provider, in order to for your implants to be evaluated. He or she may be able to provide you with a better understanding of why yours failed, as well as help determine a plan to replace the one that fell out.

This article is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can an affordable dentist do a full mouth reconstruction?

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As a child and into my adult years, I rarely saw a dentist, for a myriad of reasons. Now, I suffer from several missing teeth, as well as several broken teeth. I finally decided I could no longer live this way and went to the dentist. After x-rays and an examination, he recommended a full-mouth reconstruction. There is no way I can afford all of the work he says is necessary. Is there anyway to get similar results without the hefty price tag?

Thank you,
Tiffany

Tiffany,

A 100% full-mouth reconstruction takes a great amount of technical knowledge, in addition to that which is taught in dental school, not to mention the artistry required for the cosmetic work. The work is a combination of many aesthetics, along with restorative dentistry to improve the functioning and appearance of your entire mouth. That said, you should never let cost be your sole consideration when having a full-mouth reconstruction. The process is a timely, meticulous, and expensive one, in which not all dentists are qualified to perform. Therefore, careful and intentional research should be put into who you chose to perform the work. I would also suggest that you seek opinions of other dentists, in order to determine if any alternative options may work for you. It is possible that dentures or partials and crowns may be a better route for you financially. Looking into an affordable dentist and making them aware of your budget constraints from the beginning will help you find options that fit your needs and your range. Best of luck to you!

This post was provided by the office of Baton Rouge affordable dentist, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Was my affordable dental implant experience normal?

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Most of my teeth are missing. In hopes of receiving affordable dental implants, I signed up for a discount dental plan. During my first appointment, I filled out paperwork, but noticed the forms were asking for more information than is typically on medical office paperwork. After completing the paperwork, I was told that I qualified for financing. I found it odd that they would qualify me for financing before any services or prognoses were completed. I received an x-ray and dental cleaning. Then, the dentist entered the room and told me I needed several fillings and multiple crowns, without physically looking at any of my teeth and that all of the work would come to the tune of $4000. I thought that amount sounded extreme, and was still in shock at the entire process. The receptionist tried to get me to commit to an appointment date and time for the crowns and fillings, but, because I felt uneasy about the whole thing, I told her I would call later for this. However, I have zero intention of returning to that dental office. If I do, in fact, need all of the dental work they indicated I do, it will be several years before I can afford the work to be done. I recently received a phone call from that office to schedule my appointment for the dental work. I have no intention of returning the call. I know I have not been intentional about my dental appointments or hygiene, so realize it is possible that I may have a few cavities, but is it normal, or even permissible, for a dentist to advise that you have all of this work done without physically looking at your teeth?

Thank you,

Corby


Corby,
You are correct. What you experienced during your dental appointment is far from normal. Not only should you have received your cleaning and x-rays, your teeth should have been thoroughly examined by the dentist before any treatment was recommended. Then, in addition to recommending the treatment, the dentist should have explained why such treatment was necessary. High fees, such as the amount you were quoted, can make a person feel that affordable dental implants are out of their reach.

Your decision to not return to that office was a wise one. You might also consider reaching out to your dental insurance provider, in order to explain the situation and avoid any potential problems with coverage, since you will likely be duplicating the appointment with a different dentist. You may also want to visit any future dental offices first, or request a dental consultation, before any exams.

Affordable dental implants are possible because of financing and/or dental payment plans, but they should never be sneaky or secretive, as you have experienced.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

Should I see an emergency dentist for a canker sore?

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I have had a horrible canker sore for days. I normally have a pretty high pain tolerance, but last night, I was unable to eat dinner. The spot looks terrible and is the size of a corn kernel. It’s raised and red and white on top. I should mention that this is not the first canker sore I’ve experienced, but it’s definitely the worst canker sore I’ve ever had. Should I consult an emergency dentist? Or, would it be better to see my regular doctor?

Thanks,
Christine

Dear Christine,

If you have not yet tried any at-home canker sore remedies, it may be too soon for an emergency dentist. Typically, spots such as these heal themselves in a matter or 10-14 days. However, it’s a matter of managing the pain and discomfort until that time.

Many products can provide canker sore relief. A good starting point would be an oral anesthetic from the dental aisle of your local pharmacy or grocery store. Normally these come in a tube or gel-like pads that go on a tissue. If the canker sore appears to have become infected, a topical antiseptic should be applied to the area. Another option is a product made for killing germs, or do a rinse with part water, part hydrogen peroxide. Listerine works well, too, as some people have reported quick pain relief from it.

True canker sores can have many causes. Biting your cheek, injury, stress, allergies, or friction from dental tools, are some possible causes. In addition, there are other problems that may appear and feel like a canker sore, such as cancer or viruses. If you have several canker sores, it would be a good idea to see a doctor or dentist for an evaluation. If it doesn’t improve after a couple of weeks of developing the canker sore, or it the pain worsens, you should schedule a checkup. These appointments do not have to be with an emergency dentist unless the pain is unbearable.

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

Will affordable dental implants help with my facial collapse?

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My grandchild recently told me I looked old. While I am in my 50s, I would hardly call myself old! However, I have been noticing my facial appearance looks to be aging. Therefore, I started researching and came across the term facial collapse. Now, I should also mention that I have worn dentures for years, yet no one ever mentioned to me that facial collapse could happen as a result of my dentures. I am now on the hunt for affordable dental implant options that will help restore my jaw bone.

Sincerely,
Barbara

Dear Barbara,

Kids say the craziest things, don’t they!

You are on the right path regarding facial collapse. Once your teeth are gone, the jaw bone, to which your teeth were once anchored, begins to resorb back into your body, leading to facial collapse. If you are experiencing this, the additional bone would need to be added before any type of dental implant can happen.

Because the bone is only retained in places where implants are placed, an option such as the snap-on denture would definitely help retain your youthful appearance, as well as help with eating and reduce the chances of future jaw shrinkage.

Therefore, you may want to consider multiple implant placements. If this interests you, schedule a consultation to find out what your best affordable implant options are and their costs.

Good luck!

This article is brought to you by Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider, Dr. Ryan Perry.

My smile was ruined by an affordable dental implant doctor

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My two front teeth had become loose, so I began searching for an affordable dental implant dentist. I found an ad that met my criteria. When I went in for the estimate, I was told I needed those teeth to be extracted at that time, as well as bone beads to help with the healing.

After six months, and no front teeth, the dentist told me he could not perform the implant surgery because I didn’t have enough bone, and my gums needed treatment. He indicated I would need additional procedures prior to the surgery. Now I have no front teeth, no idea if they should have been removed originally, and just want my smile back!

What should I do?

Hank

Dear Hank,

The fact that you don’t know the cause of your loose teeth is a significant red flag. If the cause was periodontal disease, you would not have been a candidate for dental implants to begin with. The doctor should have discussed this with you from the get-go. It’s difficult to tell if your teeth could have been saved without knowing the cause. This is s a major concern.

However, it is likely, going forward, that you will need additional treatments prior to the implant surgery, in order for the implants to last. It would be a good idea to consult another dentist before proceeding. Also, there is no reason that you should not have been given temporary replacement teeth. Typically offices offer partial dentures, of flippers to keep the other teeth from moving, maintain the right amount of space, and to help make it easier for you to eat. It is not too late for these.

Make an appointment with another dentist to assess all of this this before moving forward.

This article is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry, Baton Rouge affordable dental implant provider.