Baton Rouge Dentist

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.

 

Emergency – My Porcelain Crown Cracked!

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Hi there,

I have had porcelain crowns for ages, and one of them has always had a horizontal line towards the bottom. It’s a tiny flaw, and not easily noticeable. However, after biting something hard, I can see the line much more clearly. I can also feel the line with my tongue, too. I am scared I will lose the tooth altogether. Does this fracture warrant a trip to the emergency dentist? Or can should I wait until I can see my cosmetic dentist again?

Willem, from Ballard, Utah

 

Hi Willem,

While you should see a cosmetic dentist as soon as possible to replace the crown, you do not have to see an emergency dentist. This may be a cosmetic emergency, but emergency dentists are better for accidents, severe pain, or infections.

What you describe as a flaw in your crown is actually a common occurrence. The horizontal line is called a craze line, and naturally occurs in both teeth and porcelain. Your crown was fine with this line, but now that you can feel it, that means some sort of shift has occurred. You will have to get the crown replaced before any other shifts happen.

Since you have had these crowns for ‘ages’, as you said, your cosmetic dentist may recommend that you replace all of them along with the cracked one. This is a good way to ensure that the replacement for the cracked crown matches the rest of your dental work. However, if there is nothing structurally wrong with your other crowns, it is not necessary to replace them. A master ceramist at a quality dental lab can match the color of your new crown to your current ones; an inexperienced cosmetic dentist will insist on replacing all the crowns, as they lack the necessary skill in painting and color matching porcelain.

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

 

What Are Some Expert Teeth-Bleaching Tips?

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Hello there,

I got my teeth whitened in my dentist’s office. I was given Opalescence whitening trays to take home to touch them up. I’m planning to get crowns at some point, so I want to bleach my teeth properly. How long do I need to bleach? A few hours every day, or a few times a week? Should I stop bleaching several days before my dental appointment? Any input you could give me would be very appreciated, I’m a bit confused about everything.

Kate Zimmerman, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Hi Kate,

Your dentist should have given you some instructions with the take-home kit. To answer your questions, the more you whiten, the whiter your teeth will be. It doesn’t matter what time you whiten your teeth, but if you get sensitivity from the bleaching trays, you should do it at night. You should leave the bleaching trays in for at least 20-30 minutes, but the longer, the better. If you leave them overnight, your saliva production rate slows down, so nighttime use may be more effective, as the gel will stay in the tray longer.

You do not need to use trays specifically for nighttime use, as they contain excessive amounts of peroxide. The more you whiten, your teeth will continue to change color, but the pace at which your teeth whiten will slow down. You should stop whitening when you reach the color you want. However, depending on how much you red wine, coffee, soda, or tobacco products you consume, your teeth will dull in color. If this happens, you can use your touch-up trays a few hours a day once or twice a year.

Be sure to get your crowns done by a cosmetic dentist with a lot of experience and continuing education in cosmetic dentistry. Your dentist should be able to answer your questions clearly and concisely prior to getting your work done. If you have any doubts, be sure to get a second opinion.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge Family 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.

Does my son’s broken tooth need an emergency dentist?

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My son slid into third base and was hit by the ball last night. The force of the ball broke one of his upper front teeth and cracked the other. We took him to the dentist today, but he indicated he could not make an appointment to fix the problems for several months. I want it fixed now and am wondering if we should see an emergency dentist. Is this necessary, or would it be best to wait for the tooth to lose its sensitivity?

Thank you,
Rachel

Rachel,

Your son should be seen by an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Waiting will do you/him no good. If you have have piece that broke off, that will be even better. If you can find an emergency dentist who is also an expert cosmetic dentist, that would be the best case scenario. You don’t want too much time to pass, but you also need to be sure you find someone who has the experience to remedy this issue. You see, you want the broken tooth to look good and natural, and match the other front tooth. However, if you no longer have the broken piece of the tooth, direct dental bonding would be the next best method, depending on where the damage is on the other tooth.

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

What is the best way to whiten my porcelain veneers?

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I had kind of a wild youth. I have made lots of changes in the past few years and my sweet mother has been there for me the whole time. She sent me to see a dentist since I haven’t been in for a cleaning in a long time. My teeth were so bad that the dentist did work I needed. He then suggested that I get porcelain veneers to fix my front teeth, to help them not be so crooked and to look better to get a job. My mom paid for them and they look better than they did before. Now that they have been on for a few months, I’d like to whiten them. I just want to make sure I do it the right way. What is the best way to whiten porcelain veneers?

Thanks,
Mariah

Dear Mariah,

Teeth whitenedIt is great that you have made changes for the better in your life. Unfortunately, you will not be able to make changes for the better to your porcelain veneers. Whitening your teeth isn’t the same as whitening your veneers. Your porcelain veneers can’t be whitened once they are placed on your teeth.

How porcelain veneers are made

When you decide to get porcelain veneers, your dentist will match the shade of your new veneers to the teeth surrounding so your new teeth don’t stick out and look unnatural. The dentist sends the specs, along with the shade the new teeth should be, along to a ceramist to be made. The veneers are then made in the shape and shade the dentist specified.

If your dentist was experienced or really wanted you to have the smile you desired, he should have suggested that you whiten your teeth before you got your veneers. That way your new teeth could have been a whiter shade, matching the whiter teeth around. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t make sure you were completely happy with how your porcelain veneers were going to look before they were bonded on.

At this point, the only way to fix them is to basically start over. A good cosmetic dentist could carefully grind off the porcelain veneers you have had placed. He could then help you with new ones, but you would experience the cost again.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

How can I get cosmetic work done cheaper?

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Is there such a thing as an affordable dentist? I had braces when I was in junior high, but once I was “done” with my retainer, they went crooked again.  I haven’t been regular with my visits to the dentist since I left home, so I have cavities. I’d like to fix my teeth now and my friend said  I should make sure to see a cosmetic dentist, but they said it was going to be an obscene amount of money to fix my teeth. They also got all bent out of shape when I asked if there was any way to do it cheaper. Are there any affordable dentists?

Katie, Dallas

Dear Katie,

There are affordable dentists, but if you want your teeth done right, be cautious. Cosmetic dentistry is not black and white. It is not an official area of study for dentists, so some who have had a two-hour class about Lumineers may call themselves “cosmetic dentists” in comparison to those who have taken extensive training on porcelain veneers to improve their skills. Because of this additional training, cosmetic dentists do typically charge more than regular dentists.

Some things to consider when looking for an affordable cosmetic dentist:

  • Ask questions. Some good questions to ask are about the dentist’s experience and schooling, and if there are pictures of work he did on other patients you can see.
  • Do your homework. Research the dentists on your woman-pointing-at-smilelist and see what experience other patients have had with them. Sometimes dentists offer free dental exams to understand your needs and to help you assess how comfortable you are with the office before doing any work. You can also call several dentist offices and ask for ballpark figures for the work you want to have done.  Compare the costs to the first dentist you visited. If the numbers for a dentist are significantly lower, that may raise red flags that that dentist isn’t as experienced or may cut corners.
  • Ask for your options. You were wise to ask if there was a cheaper way. Some cosmetic procedures are more costly, but there are often cheaper alternatives to improve your smile. Don’t be afraid to let the dentist know if something is more than you can afford.

With a little work on your part, you will find the right affordable dentist for you.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.

How do I fix my all gums, small teeth smile?

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My smile is all gums and I hate it. I have small teeth, too, so whenever I smile, you see a little bit of teeth and a lot of pink gums. Is there anything I can do to change it? Could I somehow use porcelain veneers and at least have bigger teeth?

Sara, Grand Rapids

Dear Sara,

There is something you can do to fix your “gummy” smile, but it’s not a correction any regular dentist could accomplish.

If you have spoken to a dentist in the past about changing the way your gums or teeth look when you smile, it may have been recommended to see an oral surgeon to have your entire upper jaw shortened to fix it. This is a very extreme and unnecessary procedure that can lead to other complications. It can change your bite, which could then lead to problems with your upper jaw or TMJ.

Thankfully there are cosmetic dentists, dentists who have gone above and beyond the training of a regular dentist, who can perform what is called a “gum lift.” The dentist would remove a small amount of gum tissue and some of the supporting bone that was beneath the gum line for each upper front teeth. This would expose some of the roots of those teeth.

Porcelain veneer going onto tooth

A porcelain veneer would then be placed over the tooth and the exposed root section. Cosmetic dentists can make the veneers look as natural as your existing teeth, with matching coloring. You then have a smile with less gums and more teeth that you desire.

Because this is not an easy procedure, you want to find the right experienced dentist to perform it. Don’t hesistate to call cosmetic dentists’ offices and ask if they have performed a gum lift before. If so, ask if they have a portfolio that would show pictures of the before and after cases.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Ryan Perry in Baton Rouge.

Can I go to a dental school for porcelain veneers?

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I have always hated the stain on my teeth from the antibiotic tetracycline. I have hidden my teeth when I smile for as long as I remember. We just retired and all the kids are gone, so I’m ready to do something for me and fix my smile. I think I want to get porcelain veneers. My daughter mentioned that they took my granddaughter to a dental school for orthodontics and it saved her a lot of money. I am wondering if I can go to a dental school for porcelain veneers? What are the drawbacks?

Thanks,
Ann, Birmingham, AL

Dear Ann,

Porcelain veneers are a great way to cover tetracycline stains since teeth whitening isn’t effective. They can help you get a beautiful smile–if it is done by the right dentist.

Dentists who create a smile that you would be proud to show off have completed extensive training after dentistry school to learn the artistic aspect of veneers. They learn coloration, shaping, size, and opacity. These cosmetic dentists listen to what you want your smile to look like, what you want to change. They will often create a “mock up” so you can see what your veneers will look like on your teeth before they bond on your permanent veneers. This ensures that you are happy with the final product.

Unfortunately, a dental school is not the place to get porcelain veneers. Students there are learning the fundamentals of dentistry. They are learning how to fix your teeth. That is the priority, not aesthetics. Likely, if you went to a dental school for porcelain veneers, you would have a student doing it for the first time and you would get what you paid for.

If you want porcelain veneers, a better option would be to save your money and do it right the first time with a cosmetic dentist rather than spending the money and having to still pay the greater amount later to have them fixed.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge Family Dentist.