Baton Rouge Dentist

Did the Emergency Dentist Destroy One of My Teeth?

Posted on by .

I went to an emergency dentist because of some pain while I was out of town. I told him what was going on. He couldn’t see what was going on, but said based on my symptoms he feels certain I cracked a tooth. He did a crown. The pain went away for a little bit, but is now hurting again. I looked and the tooth next to the crowned tooth has turned gray. Did the emergency dentist damage it when he gave me the crown?

Lisa L.

Dear Lisa,

It would be unlikely the emergency dentist caused the tooth to die. I can think of a few scenarios which are possible.

The first is a misdiagnosis. Possibly, the graying tooth could be the one bothering you all along and it referred pain to the crowned tooth. If that’s what happened, having another dentist look at the x-rays should be able to tell you for sure. If it turns out it was an obvious misdiagnosis, you can get a refund for your dental crown.

Another possibility is that something damaged the adjacent tooth after your appointment. Admittedly, this is the least likely option. The chance of something causing trauma to a tooth right next to the one you had treated without you realizing it is pretty small. But, it’s worth mentioning as an option.

The most likely option is that both teeth were traumatized at the same time. Sometimes it takes a while for the results of the trauma to show up. So, one tooth was cracked and another possibly had its blood supply cut off. This would cause it to gray slower than the symptoms on the other tooth showed up.

You may never know for sure unless it is a misdiagnosis. However, the dying tooth needs to be addressed. You’ll need a root canal treatment. If you don’t the bacteria it’s harboring will blow up into a tooth infection and you’ll end up with another dental emergency.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can a Dentist Stop My Husband From Snoring?

Posted on by .

Someone said a dentist can stop you from snoring. Is that right? If so, sign my husband up. I’ve not slept well in weeks.

Lisa L.

Dear Lisa,

Well, get him to the dentist. In many cases, snoring is caused by sleep apnea. This is when the muscles in the back of your throat relax into your breathing passage. If they only relax part way, he has mild sleep apnea and it often manifests with the vibrating, not so resonant tones of snoring.

However, this condition, if left untreated can get worse. The muscles can relax all the way into the breathing passage, leading to obstructive sleep apnea. Maybe you’ve heard your husband wake up suddenly with a snort and then go straight back to sleep. That could mean he’s stopped breathing momentarily and his body shocked him “awake” to get him breathing again. This can happen hundreds of times a night with a sleep apnea patient.

Even with a full night’s sleep, they wake up completely exhausted. There are other symptoms too, that you can read on our sleep apnea page.

Fortunately, the solution can be quite simple.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Are All Affordable Dental Implants A Waste of Money?

Posted on by .

My sister went to Mexico because she wanted to get dental implants, but needed to find someplace which was affordable. It was actually cheaper to leave the country and visit Mexico every other month for close to a year than to pay to have it done here in the states. She researched and went to a dentist who’s done the procedure many times and seemed to have a good experience. Sometime after everything was completed things started to fall apart. She developed an infection. She visited the dentist in Mexico again to have everything looked at. He gave her an antibiotic and sent her home. Then, not too long after she finished the antibiotic her entire face swelled up. She wasn’t even able to get there so I took her. The dentist said it failed and removed the whole thing. Now she has to start all over and has nothing to show for all the expense and travel. I had considered getting dental implants because she’d started out with such a great experience, but now I’m wondering if all affordable dental implants are a total waste of money.

Melissa M.

Dear Melissa,

First, your sister should try to get at least some of her money back. I don’t know if the dentist will do it, but it’s at least worth a shot. In Mexico, there is no recourse even if the dentist totally botched the procedure. It’s up to the dentist to make things right.

There are also no regulations about keeping things sanitized and such. Again, it’s up to the dentist to decide the standards. That could have led to her infection, but we’ll never know. Even though she researched this dentist, they often change their practice name if they develop a bad reputation and make up qualifications in these border town medical practices.

I don’t know if the dentist mentioned this to her but in order to re-do the procedure she’ll need to have bone grafting done. She likely lost a lot of bone with the infection and the implant needs to be stabilized.

If you’re looking for affordable dental implants, you have many options, but you’re safer going to a reputable dentist in the states, where dental implants have a 98% success rate. There are times where a patient and dentist can do everything right but still have a failed implant; however, it’s not nearly as common here for that to happen.

Depending on your case, you may choose to have a combination of bridges and dental implants, or mini implants, or even full dental implants done with affordable payment plans. The key is to find a skilled dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Can I Get George Lucas to Pay My Dental Bill?

Posted on by .

My son and I were having a light saber fight. He’s become somewhat of a Star Wars addict lately. Normally, I survive these intergalactic battles, but this time a ring around the base of the lightsaber flew off and hit me in the mouth. I thought I was fine at first, and told my son so. He feels terribly guilty for hitting me. But, the next day my tooth felt loose. I keep messing with it and feel pretty sure it’s loose. As it’s an adult tooth I’m guessing I have to replace it. I’m sure that’s going to be expensive. Too bad I can’t get George Lucas to foot the bill.

Miranda P. – California

Miranda,

Yes, it would be great if George Lucas offered some financial assistance here! But, that’s as likely as a Jedi repairing your tooth. That doesn’t mean your tooth has to go the way of the Jedi in Episode III. It’s possible it can be saved. However, for that to have any chance at all you’ll want to stop messing with it. Your tooth has ligaments that attach it. When they’re stretched too much or too often, they can snap.

I’d get in to see your dentist as soon as possible so he or she can stabilize your tooth and do an exam to see how much damage was done. IF you don’t have a dentist you can see right away, you’ll need to call an emergency dentist. They can bond it to the adjacent teeth, splint it, or use a similar method to stabilize it. If it’s protected and kept in its place, those ligaments may heal on their own and the tooth will recover. However, the pulp of the tooth may also be damaged. If this is the case, it may need a root canal treatment after the ligaments heal. Teeth with root canals often need crowns to protect them.

If that’s the case, you’ll want to make sure your dentist is fairly skilled at cosmetic work as well, because from what you’ve described it’s a front tooth which was damaged.

There is a chance the tooth can’t be saved. If that happens you’re definitely right that you’ll want to replace the tooth. Two of your best options are a dental implant or a dental bridge. Dr. Ryan has a good page explaining both and when to choose which one. You can click here to read the dental implant versus dental bridge options.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

“Affordable Dentist” Rip-off

Posted on by .

I had the side of my face swell up. I knew this was likely some kind of dental emergency, but couldn’t afford to go to my dentist. He’s sort of high end, because, for most part, I believe you get what you pay for. I decided I needed an affordable dentist for this, which I was sure would be a simple procedure that any general dentist could do. Worst case scenario, I’d need a root canal. I was so mistaken. He looked at the tooth and did decide it needed a root canal. He was doing the procedure. I’ve had root canals before, so I know what to expect. This guy was awful. He jerked by face everywhere, grumbled under his breath, and even said a few words I wouldn’t think would be appropriate in a profesional setting. Then there was a crack and he cursed and stormed out of the room. He comes back and says the tooth has to be extracted. I agreed. Then I get a bill and he’d charged me for both procedures, including his botched one. I tried talking to the office about it, but they said I shouldn’t expect him to work for free. Do I have any recourse?

Kerri L. – South Carolina

Kerri,

This is a tricky situation. While he does deserve to be paid for his job, it’s bad form to charge for a botched procedure, especially for a dentist who advertises as an “affordable dentist“. Those patients generally don’t have a lot of discretionary money to begin with. There are three possible options you can do to deal with the billing.

First, I’d try calling and speaking directly to the dentist, instead of the billing department. It’s possible the dentist will admit he shouldn’t have charged you for the root canal treatment gone wrong.

If that doesn’t work, you can bring your x-rays to your regular dentist. Of course, that will require explaining why you went to another dentist. If that makes you uncomfortable, you can always go to a completely different dentist for a second opinion. Some dentists even do free dental exams. IF the dentist says you were misdiagnosed, there’s a good chance you can get your money back.

Barring that, you can try the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Whether you will get any money back will mostly depend on the skill of their dispute resolution specialist.

I’m sorry you’ve had this experience. If you find yourself in another bind, you may just talk to your dentist about the situation. He (or she) would likely allow you to work out a payment plan, especially because you’re an established patient.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Are Veneers Truly Necessary with Dental Implants?

Posted on by .

I went to a dentist to get dental implants. I needed two on my front most teeth because of an accident I had in my teens. I’ve been wearing a flipper. My family dentist when I was younger told me as soon as I reached my mid-twenties to get implants placed. Well, the time has come. I specifically looked for a dentist who advertised affordable dental implants and was known for doing good work.  He also promotes himself as an expert cosmetic dentist, which I felt would bode well for me getting natural looking implant crowns. However, when I went in for my consult he said I’d also need porcelain veneers (two on either side of the front teeth) in order to get my smile to match.  I don’t have that kind of money. Is this an actual necessity?

Steve O.  – Michigan

Steve,

This dentist sounds dubious to me. Let’s start with his status as an “expert” cosmetic dentist. A truly expert cosmetic dentist can match a single implant or porcelain veneer to the rest of your smile. He (or she) wouldn’t need you to get a full set of veneers in order to match the smile. If he does, he’s no expert.

Next, we’ll discuss the affordable dental implants. Veneers aren’t a necessity for dental implants. In fact, they’re not done with the treatment unless the patient specifically has cosmetic work they wanted done. In other words, if there are things you’re unhappy with about the adjacent teeth which you want changed, then get the porcelain veneers. Otherwise, just get the dental implants.

It sounds like this dentist is drawing patients in with his affordable prices and then makes up the profit margin by pressuring you to add other services. If I were in your place, I’d ask to see before and after pictures of cosmetic work he’s done. Don’t let him show you stock photos. Make sure you’re happy with the type of results he provides. These are your front teeth and will be very visible. I’d also be interested to know how many successful dental implant cases he’s completed before proceeding. This is an advanced procedure with serious complications if done incorrectly. I’m concerned with his perceived dishonesty. It might be in your benefit to check into other dentists before making a final decision.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Should the Emergency Dentist Have Given Me a Root Canal?

Posted on by .

My husband had a toothache. He nursed it along for a bit then it blew up. He went to the emergency dentist who gave him a root canal. A few months later, I get a toothache. I nurse it along figuring I’d need a root canal anyway so why waste time now. It blew up on me. I went to the emergency dentist. He did a crown, but no root canal. Which one of us got the wrong treatment?

Abby N. – Indiana

Abby,

It is not a necessity that the emergency dentist gave either of you the wrong treatment. Each tooth infection is a little different. A root canal isn’t necessary unless the decay reaches the center of the tooth or is so close to the nerve that it causes the nerve to send distress signals, which comes in the form of pain or discomfort. They may also be done if the tooth is infected or dead.

It’s possible that in your husband’s case it was necessary, but in yours it wasn’t. Bear in mind, it’s not a good idea to let a toothache limp along. They blow up quickly. Even in 2017, people die from tooth infections that were left too long.

Another reason to not avoid treatment is cost and comfort. The sooner something is dealt with, the easier the treatment, which in turn also means a lower cost. I noticed that both you and your husband only go to an emergency dentist. If you’re fond of this dentist, you could make him your official dentist. With regular check-ups and cleanings, you’re likely to avoid emergency situations.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Think I’m Being Nickel and Dime’d to Death by My “Affordable Dentist”

Posted on by .

I intentionally chose an affordable dentist out of a directory because I do not have dental insurance. I’m a little behind on my regular checkups, so I expected to run into some snags, but I was totally unprepared for the total bill. First off, they charged me for a more expensive “deep” cleaning and for some kind or rinse or medication that was applied during it. On top of this, they hit me for two different kinds of x-rays, and then they recommended I get a fluoride treatment and come back in a few weeks for a follow-up visit with the hygienist, which also has a charge. I’m already out a few hundred bucks, and this doesn’t even include the fillings I need to have done. Does this sound right coming from an “affordable dentist?”

Javi – New Jersey

Dear Javi,

An affordable dentist is usually one who either has lower prices or works with you to find the most affordable treatment in your budget. Sometimes, when you’ve been away from the dentist for a long time, it is a little pricey at first. This is actually designed to save you money in the long run. If they can get your smile healthy, it will keep you from need expensive repairs or from losing your teeth.

As for the things you were charged for, a deep cleaning is fairly common when it has been a while since your last cleaning. If your gums were inflamed and you had a lot of buildup, the hygienist probably did what’s known as a full mouth debridement. If you had periodontal disease, you may have received scaling and root planing. In either case, a follow-up appointment is fairly typical. They want to see if your oral health improves or whether you may need additional treatment. Sometimes, a deep cleaning can be enough to set you on the path to good oral health, but if you’ve been struggling for a while, you may need more help. You will have to talk to the hygienist or someone in the office to find out what kind of cleaning was done and why they felt it was necessary, but nothing seems out of order with that.

As far as the x-rays go, those sound standard as well, as even an affordable dentist needs them to make a full diagnosis. It’s typical to have a panoramic, which shows your whole mouth and jaw, taken every few years. Bite wings, a set of four, let the dentist see between your teeth and catch decay. Those are often done on an annual basis.

The cleaning solution and the fluoride are personal choices. Because you’ve been struggling with either gingivitis or periodontal disease, killing all the bacteria with a medicated rinse is helpful. Some offices charge for this service and some do not. The fluoride was likely recommended to help prevent decay, though it’s sometimes offered to adults with sensitive teeth, too.

Going forward, it might be best for you to have a discussion with the office staff before a visit, so you know what to expect in terms of procedures and costs. You can also pick up a good dental plan from a reputable company for a yearly cost that’s on par with the costs of your regular checkups, and usually covers them entirely. It won’t help you with the visit you’ve already had, but it can help turn any dentist into an affordable dentist in the future.

Almost all affordable dentists have payment plan options so that should help.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Is It Okay to Go to a Different Dentist for Affordable Dental Implants?

Posted on by .

I’ve been wanting dental implants for a couple of years now. My dentist does them, but they’re a little out of my price range. I’ve been calling around. Most dentists are about the same price, except one dentist across town. He’s a good deal more affordable than anyone else. I feel like I’d be cheating on my dentist by going somewhere else, but I sure like the idea of saving that kind of money. Do you think my dentist will understand?

Sammie L. – Ohio

Sammie,

You’re not really cheating on your dentist. And I’m certain your dentist would understand your desire to save money. I just want you to check out a couple of things first.

  1. Make sure the dentist is quoting you the right price. Because there is such a price difference, I’d check to make sure you’re talking about the same procedure. He may have quoted you the price for mini-implants if you mentioned you’re looking for affordable dental implants. That isn’t the same procedure as traditional dental implants.
  2. Find out if he’s a brand new dentist. That could be why his prices are so much lower. He may need to draw patients in. While dental implants have a high success rate, it is still an advanced procedure. I’m not sure I’d recommend going to a new dentist.

Have you talked to your dentist about the situation? He might be able to work something out with you.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Emergency Dentist Said the Wrong Tooth Needed to be Fixed

Posted on by .

I have some pretty severe tooth pain in one of my teeth. I know exactly which tooth hurts. I went to an emergency dentist because I don’t have a dentist of my own. He told me that it’s a tooth next to the one I showed him which has the problem. I can tell exactly which tooth hurts. Could he be just trying to get me to fix an extra tooth to get more money?  I didn’t let him move forward because I wanted to make sure he wasn’t cheating me first, but I’m still hurting. Now I feel like the appointment was wasted.

Bobby R. – Denver

Bobby,

I don’t even know which dentist you went to, but I can tell you with almost complete certainty that the emergency dentist isn’t trying to trick you. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard the phrase “referred pain”, but that’s likely what you’re experiencing. That’s when you feel pain in one part of your body, but it’s actually coming from a different part of your body.

It sounds like the dentist wanted to work on the source of the pain and not just the tooth you thought was hurting. I know this is a new dentist for you, so you hadn’t built up trust, but in the long run he was trying to not only do the right thing for you, but his actions would save you money.

He could have appeased you and just worked on the tooth that hurt you and said you also had another tooth that needs help, charging you double. He didn’t.

However, if you’re still not sure and want a second opinion, I’m going to make a suggestion that you don’t tell the second dentist who you went to and what their diagnosis was. Just tell him you have a toothache, tell him where, and leave him to make his diagnosis. If he comes to the same conclusion as the other dentist, you’ll know you’re on the right track.

What I don’t want you to do is put off getting treatment. This is likely a tooth infection and it will spread. I’m not saying this is you, but sometimes when a patient is putting off care even while in pain, it is actually because they have dental anxiety. If that happens to be you, be aware that sedation dentistry is an option. It will give you a pain-free dental experience.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.