Baton Rouge Dentist

Teeth Whitening with Cavities

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I’m getting some conflicting information and am hoping for some advice. I went in for a checkup and learned I have a cavity. My dentist mentioned that if I wanted to get my teeth whitened I’d want to do it before the fillings so they can match. I had considered getting that done before, but never actually moved on it. Now I’m hurrying to do research and I read that you’re not supposed to get your teeth whitened when you have cavities. So, which is it?

Brooke M. – Florida

Brooke,

It’s one of the catch-22 situations. Yes, you’ll want to get your teeth whitened beforehand. If you don’t then you’re stuck with two choices: 1. Get the fillings done, guessing at the color you’ll have. 2. Get the fillings done, whiten, then re-do the fillings to match.

Neither of those options sounds great. Who’d want to guess, and who’d want to do the same procedure twice?

The reason some dentists say you can’t get teeth whitening done with cavities is because of the sensitivity that can come with the whitening procedure. When you have cavities, the tooth structure is closer to the nerves, which can cause more pain.

That being said. If your dentist must have thought you were a good candidate or he wouldn’t have mentioned the procedure to you. I suspect your cavities are small and would not cause excessive sensitivity. If you’re concerned, I’d ask to do some fluoride treatments, which will help.

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

I can’t afford to get my wisdom teeth out?

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I have a rotting wisdom tooth. It was hurting, but the pain has moved from the tooth to my cheek and eye. I just can’t afford to have it removed. Can I remove it myself and then go to the ER for some antibiotics or will the ER just remove it? You don’t have to pay them the same day.

David D. – Pennsylvania

David,

I am being completely serious when I tell you this. You cannot afford NOT to have this wisdom teeth removed. You have a serious infection and it is spreading. It’s already at your eye, guess where it will go next?  Your teeth are too close to your brain to not get this dealt with. It could get life threatening.

Unlike with other infections, antibiotics alone do not solve a tooth infection. The infected tooth has to be removed.

If you go to a dentist and explain your situation, almost all of them will work with you to make this affordable for you. Most of them have payment plans, some with zero interest.

Please don’t put off getting this treated.

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

How Can I Fix My Affordable Dental Implants Nightmare?

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I have wanted dental implants for a long time, but I knew they were out of my price range. I started researching affordable dental implants and found out about the all-on-4 procedure. It wasn’t implants all-around, but it was better than I had, so I picked a dentist and went in for a consultation. I thought it would be a simple thing. They assured me they’d done it countless times before and I didn’t realize there were risks involved. One of the “affordable” dental implants failed, and the whole thing is shot. Now I’m told I need bone grafting and a whole bunch of other stuff so I can try again, and it’s all at my expense- as if I caused it to somehow fail. I really can’t afford to go through it again, let alone have the other procedures done. I’m halfway through the affordable dental implants process and it looks like I’m just stuck in limbo. I can’t move forward with treatment and I’m stuck with a half-finished (unusable) job. How can I fix this?

-Phil

Dear Phil,

Many people turn to the All-on-4 procedure in an effort to find affordable dental implants, but it does come with some risks. Implants, in general, have a very high success rate, but a lot of this is dependent on the skill of the dentist. The chances of a failure also increase if you smoke of have certain medical conditions, but sometimes, they fail for seemingly no reason at all. When your entire denture is dependent on having the set and one fails, you get stuck, just like you are now.

There are other affordable dental implant procedures, such as mini implants, and there are ways to make the process fit into your budget better with financing or payment plans through the office, and the latter choices could still help you now. The problem is, the implant was likely placed at an angle, and so the integrity of the bone was compromised, and a new one cannot be placed until that area is repaired and heals.

It’s a shame that office isn’t doing more to help you out, but this isn’t a procedure that you can change up partway through. Your best bet is to go through the additional procedures, so you can make use of the work you’ve already done that’s holding strong. However, before you have any more work done, especially if you’re paying for it out-of-pocket, you should have a consultation with another dentist, just to confirm how the other ones are holding up, and to see if someone can help you get financing for the rest.

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

How long does bonding from an emergency dentist last?

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I had a fall and chipped my tooth. I went to see an emergency dentist. He put some kind of bonding on it to close the chip and sent me home.  How long will that bonding last?

Sadie M. – Alabama

Sadie,

It’s likely that the emergency dentist did composite dental bonding to repair your chipped tooth. If that’s the case, then it will last for years.  However, I hope your emergency dentist suggested you go to your dentist for follow up treatment. Not because of the bonding, but because of the trauma.

There’s always a chance the blood flow was cut off in accident. It may not show up right away, but it will cause the tooth to die and need a root canal.

You’d want to be aware of this before it causes an abscess.

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

Can I Whiten a Preschoolers Tooth?

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My daughter had an accident that turned her tooth gray. The dentist wants me to leave it alone because he thinks it will fall out in a year or so. I don’t want her made fun of by the other children. Can’t I whiten it? My dentist thinks I’m a little over the top.

Beth Q. – L.A.,  California

Beth,

I know appearances are a big deal in LA, but in this case I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Most preschoolers are more interested in having fun with their friends than what the appearance is. If you daughter was in later elementary onward, it might be a different story.

The truth is in your daughter’s situation, teeth whitening won’t work. So, it’s not even an option.

The key will be not making it into a big deal. If you don’t act like there is anything wrong with the tooth, she won’t feel uncomfortable. Then, in about a year, it will fall out and she can start fresh with a nice adult tooth.

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

 

Horrible care at a free clinic

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I went to a free clinic to get a dental crown I couldn’t afford. It’s fallen out and now I had to pay a different dentist to put it back in. Will it fall out again?

Serena N. – North Dakota

Serena,

I’m very sorry you had a bad experience. Usually at these free clinics there is good care. It’s generally dentists that have a private clinic and voluteer their time. I’m surprised the quality was poor.

I don’t think you will have to worry about it happening again. Most dentists never have a crown fall out in there entire careers. I’m sure the second dentist did a fine job.

You don’t have to wait for free clinics. There are dentists who work to have affordable care for their patients.

Be aware the cheapest care isn’t always the best idea, as you found out at the clinic. You want a dentist who is willing to work with you, but still has a quality practice.

This blog is brought to you Dr. Ryan Perry.

Will going to a dental school make dental implants more affordable?

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I’m pretty discouraged. I really want to get dental implants to replace the teeth I had in an accident. I’ve been trying with removable partial dentures, but I can’t stand them. The only problem is I cannot afford the dental implants. I’ve gone to dental schools before to get affordable fillings. Do you think I could do the same for implants? I know that is not as simple a procedure, so I’m not sure and wanted a dentists opinion.

Nick M. – San Diego

Nick,

I know the temptation to go for the most affordable dental implants is great, but I’m hesitant to say, “Yeah, go for it!” and here’s why. Like you said, dental implants are an advanced procedure and even the most skilled dentists have a 98% success rate. That means even they have cases that fail. The less experience and skill, the higher the chance of dental implant failure.

You have a couple of choices:

  1. Determine if you think the cost savings is worth the risk. If you go this route, get in writing what kind of recourse you have in the case of complications or implant failure.
  2. Go to an established, skilled dentist and ask to pay it out in stages. There are many great dentists who will work with people in your situation.

Ultimately, it is your budget and smile, therefore your decision. I wish you great success in whichever you decide.

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

Don’t want to be lectured by dentist

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I haven’t been to the dentist in years. I’m having a problem with one of my teeth now. I know that is my fault, but I don’t really want to get a lecture from the dentist. If I liked them, I’d go. I don’t. How do I avoid a preachy dentist?

Marcus G. – Little Rock, AR

Marcus,

First, because you are currently having a problem, you’ll need to see a dentist right away. My suggestion is you get to an emergency dentist. You likely have a tooth infection, which will spread to other parts of your body.

It’s hard to know what a dentist’s chairside manner will be like without visiting with them, but one thing I would suggest is looking for emergency dentists that specifically mention treating fearful patients.

If they mention options for fearful patients on their site, then they’re likely not going to judge or lecture you. They understand what it means to have dental anxiety.

Some, like Dr. Perry, even specifically mention on their site that you won’t be judged or lectured.  So, you might look for something to that effect as well.

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

Teeth Whitening and Dental Bonding

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I had a chipped tooth repaired with bonding several years ago. Can I whiten my teeth?

Nicole N. – Boston

Nicole,

You can whiten your teeth, but your dental bonding won’t whiten with them. It’s an unfortunate aspect of any type of cosmetic work. Only your natural teeth will respond to teeth whitening.

Then doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You’ll just have to have the dental bonding re-done.

To be honest, if you’ve had the bonding for several years, it’s likely time to have it re-done anyway. Just be sure to do the whitening first, then have your dentist match the bonding to the whitening.

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

Can’t afford to fix my chipped tooth

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I fell. I survived—my tooth didn’t. At least, it’s not the same anymore. It was chipped. I went in to see my dentist and he said there was an easy solution. He told me to get two porcelain veneers. He said two because he said it’s hard to match just one tooth. I was excited that I would not have this ugly chipped tooth anymore. Than I saw the price. My jaw almost fell open. Is there no more affordable treatment?

Micah B. – South Dakota

Micah,

Well, your dentist was right about one thing, but wrong about a couple others.

First, yes, it is hard to match just one porcelain veneer. So two would be easier. Actually, the standard is six. However, you don’t even need porcelain veneers.

If you just have a chipped tooth, the standard solution is dental bonding. This is a much more affordable procedure than porcelain veneers.

Your dentist is also ethically obligated to give you all your treatment options. I’m supcicious that he didn’t do this.  Unless there is something about your case I’m not aware of, it sounds like he was just trying to get you to do the most expensive solution.

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