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Need affordable dentist to correct veneer work

I have battled with the appearance of my teeth for my entire life. I have chips in both of my front teeth and another tooth, also in the front of my mouth, is badly twisted. I am sure I should have had braces when I was a child, but I was one of seven children, so that wasn’t in the cards. I researched to find an affordable dentist for veneers, but am not at all satisfied with the results. They are unnatural looking, almost to the point that it looks like fake teeth have been glued on top of my natural ones, not to mention the twisted tooth is still severely-twisted looking. I really need an affordable dentist, skilled enough to to correct these issues. Is this possible?

Thanks,
Bobbi

Dear Bobbi,

Cosmetic work is not something you should look for in an affordable dentist. Sure, the costs vary from office to office, as do the rates, but if you focus on cost alone, your results will be sub-par, which is what you are experiencing now. Cosmetic dentistry is a practice which requires an amount of skill which is not possessed by all dentists. Therefore, you should focus your search on looking for a quality cosmetic dentist, then look at costs.

It is important to look at examples of a dentist’s work. Many share their work in smile galleries on their office sites. These allow you to browse at your own leisure, and will give you a good idea of what to expect. Also be sure to read reviews of cosmetic dentists from patients who have had the same treatment you hope to have. Just because a dentist does beautiful crown work, doesn’t mean he or she has the same quality veneer experience.

You should also keep in mind that veneer work is not necessarily something an insurance company will cover. However, financing through a company such as Care Credit, may be an option to help with the costs of a cosmetic dentist. Focusing on the quality of the cosmetic dental work will yield beautiful results for many years. Focusing on the cost may cause you to have veneer work done again, just as you are now.

This article was brought to you by the office of Gilbert affordable dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

Dental Emergency

Why is my tooth turning gray after I went to an emergency dentist?

Several weeks ago, I visited an emergency dentist because of an intense toothache. After his assessment, he concluded my tooth was fine, but it did have a small crack in it. He later placed a new crown, and, although the pain was better, it was not gone. The dentist suggested that I would need a root canal if the pain did not go away. While it is better, it has not gone away. However, I would prefer to not have a root canal, so I’ve been trying to remedy the pain with Ibuprofen, but there really hasn’t been any change, and today, I noticed the tooth next to it changing to an almost gray color. Is it possible that the crown is whiter than my other tooth? Or, is it possible that the work of the emergency dentist I saw could have done something to the other tooth?

Thank you,
Vicki

Dear Vicki,

Teeth turn gray when they are dead or injured, similar to our skin bruising after trauma, but our teeth are behind an enamel surface. The treatment for this is a root canal because the tooth needs cleaned out and filled from the inside, to prevent the build-up of bacteria, which will, in turn, cause infection. The sooner this issue can be addressed, the better.

It is unlikely that the emergency dentist caused this. It could be that your tooth was hurt or damaged all along. Teeth often cause the teeth around them to be in pain. If this is the case, the original diagnosis may be incorrect. Another possibility is that both of your teeth could have been injured at the same time. This would be true, for example, if you bit down on something hard, causing trauma to the graying tooth, and causing its neighbor tooth to crack. While the tooth may not have died right away, it could be slowing fading with time. Finally, it is possible that the two teeth have issues which are completely unrelated. Lastly, you could be looking at two totally unrelated incidents, which happen to be affecting two neighbor teeth. You will likely never know if the original diagnosis was incorrect. However, if you believe this is the case, ask the original dentist for a copy of the x-ray and seek another option from a different dentist, and also have the gray tooth assessed. If something was missed on the original x-ray, you should receive a refund for what you paid to have the crown done. However, if nothing was missed, the dentist’s actions were based on your original symptoms, and the diagnosis may or may not have been correct.

This post is sponsored by Gilbert emergency dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

Sedation Dentistry

Can I stay with my daughter during a sedation dentistry appointment?

My pre-school aged daughter has a significant-sized cavity on one of her back molars. Her dentist suggested using Nitrous oxide to sedate her, in order to place a filling. On the day of the appointment, I was told I could not go into the room with her for the procedure. She is three! Furthermore, in those three years, she has never been sedated. When I questioned this, I was told it was office policy and there was no way around it. Therefore, I canceled her appointment. Is this a common policy? It seems ludicrous for a parent not to be allowed to accompany a three-year-old for a dental procedure, especially one which involves sedation.

Thank you,
Mindi

Dear Mindi,
The presence of a parent during a dental procedure is really the choice of the provider. Oftentimes, the nervousness or fear that a parent is experiencing during a dental procedure is very obvious to the child, and, therefore, wears off on the child. Parents may say things like, “squeeze Mommy’s hand if you’re scared, or if it hurts, ” thus, letting the child know that being scared of feeling pain is an option, when they otherwise may not know this. Sometimes, it is easier for everyone if the only person the child has to focus on is the dentist. This also allows the dentist to give your child and the procedure he or she is performing their sole focus, as opposed to focusing on the procedure, the patient, and you. Sedation dentistry is not any different than a medical procedure. If you were to take your child into a hospital for a surgical procedure, you would not be allowed in the operating room with him or her. This seems to be a policy that many dental providers have also adopted. Though, I am sure you can find a provider who will allow you into the procedure room with your child if you look further.

This post was written by the office of Gilbert sedation dentist, Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC crowns

What should I do if my CEREC crown broke?

Two weeks ago, I had a CEREC crown done. I was recently eating, when I felt something come loose in my mouth. I came to find out this crown had broken in half. The dentist offered to fix the crown free of charge. While I was thankful for this, I wanted to know why this happened. I want to be sure this was just a fluke circumstance and not an error made by the dentist.

Sincerely,
Randi

Dear Randi,

While this is quite rare, there are some things that may have hinted that something was “off”, like tooth pain, jaw pain, or if the tooth was connecting first when you bit down.

Another possibility is the way the material handled stress, though it is unlikely that this is the case. However, if this were the case, it is possible there was some sort of defect in the material before use, though this, too, is unlikely.

Another thought is if you grind or clench your teeth, this may be the cause. Each tooth has a different threshold in terms of the amount of force it can withstand. This is why some restorations my break, while others do not. If this occurs during the day, practicing relaxation exercises can help. If it’s taking place at night, a night guard will prevent the grinding.

The majority of crowns can handle this to an extent, so you can’t rule out the material used or a mistake made by the dentist. It’s worth having him redo the procedure. It would be good to see what he thinks is the cause. Dentists have restorations fail from time to time. So long as this is not the norm, and he wants to fix the issue, it sounds like you’re in good hands.

This post is brought to you by Gilbert CEREC provider Dr. Matt Roper.

Sedation Dentistry

Can I see a sedation dentist if I’m on medication?

I need to see a sedation dentist, but experience depression and anxiety, and am on several medications to manage them. Is this something that will prevent me from receiving sedation during my dental treatment?

Thank you,

Nikki

Dear Nikki,

There is not one specific medication used by all dentists. Each chooses his/her own sedation medications based on their dental experiences, philosophies, and the medical history of the patient. The only way to know which medication is used is to go directly to the sedation dentist who is treating you.

You will need to take a full list of your medications, including the amount and frequency, to your dentist. He or she will use this list to determine which medications are right for your dental treatment. If their typical treatment will conflict with your medication, the dentist should offer to find an alternative. If not, he or she should refer you to someone who can help.

If possible, you should also consider sending your medication list to the dental office in advance. The staff should be able to advise you if they are unable to treat you. Most likely, they will advise you to come in to discuss a treatment plan.

This article is brought to you by Gilbert sedation dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

 

Affordable Dentistry

“Affordable” dentist wrongly charging me

I visited a dentist who claimed to be affordable, after one of my premolars was causing me a lot of grief. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of treatment at my regular dental office, so I came across an affordable dentist from an online search and got an appointment right away.

My experience was horrible. The root canal process took almost two hours. He continually jerked my head around and forced my mouth to stay open the entire time. He then mentioned that I needed a crown to treat the decay. When the dentist was removing the cavity, the tooth gave way and I was told it would need to be pulled. I agreed to the removal of the tooth, but was later billed for the extraction.

When I called the dental office, questioning this, I was told the dentist deserved to be compensated for his time on the extraction procedure. Can he do this? My tooth had to be extracted because of something that happened during a procedure. I should not have had to pay for the extraction, right?

Thank you,

Brandy

Dear Brandy,

You should not have been billed for both, and I am sure you are quite frustrated. Whether the extraction could have been prevented is unclear, and may always be. It is possible that the decay was extreme and could have been a cause. But, regardless, it sounds like you are not willing to pay for both procedures. While going the legal route may cause you unnecessary stress, you might consider talking to the dentist himself, if you can’t reach an agreement with the office manager. If this doesn’t work, you could connect with the Better Business Bureau, or your local dental board.

Wishing you luck in rectifying the issue!

This post is sponsored by the office of affordable dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

How can I find an affordable dentist for cosmetic work?

I am looking for an affordable dentist who can help me with some cosmetic teeth issues I have been battling my whole life. I have teeth in need of straightening, as well as a chipped front tooth. I consulted my family dentist, but was told the work I need done would cost over $20,000, an amount much higher than what I am able, and willing, to pay. I did inquire about less expensive options, but was made to feel like I offended the dentist. I’m not looking for a total makeover, just want some teeth straightened and a chipped tooth fixed. Any advice would be great!

Thank you,
April

Dear April,

Thanks for writing. First and foremost, your dentist should not have acted that way.

A couple of suggestions to help:

  1. Be cautious when looking for affordable  dentist who does cosmetic work. This is because anyone can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. There are currently no guidelines on training or skills. Therefore sometimes dentists who have more skill/training tend to charge more.
  2. It would be a good idea for you to find a dentist with a solid reputation. Then, have a consultation and express your financial concerns upfront. This will allow the dentist to offer suggestions which include cost-effective ways to address your dental needs, yet stay within your budget.
  3. Lastly, it is always a good idea to get more than one estimate. This will allow you to choose someone that is the best fit for your situation.

This article is sponsored by Gilbert affordable dentist, Dr. Matthew Roper.

Dental Emergency

My son’s tooth was knocked out by a baseball–should I have seen an emergency dentist?

My eight year old son lives and breathes baseball. He is constantly playing with baseballs, bats, if not on a ball field, and is always practicing. With that comes many bumps and bruises. However, he recently took a ground ball right to the mouth. He saved the ball, but lost his front tooth! There was some blood, and his mouth and gums were swollen, but he didn’t seem incredibly upset. The coach and I helped him calm down, and once he was back to his normal self, we took the tooth home for the tooth fairy.  Should I have taken him to an emergency dentist?

Sincerely,
Sarah

Dear Sarah,

I’m thankful your son is okay! Even the best ball players take one for the team from time to time. I can answer your question in two ways.

One, if your son has already lost his front tooth, I am very hopeful you have already sought dental attention. If the tooth he lost was permanent, it would have needed immediate emergency dental attention in order to be implanted again. The best course of action would have been to carefully collect the tooth, making sure to keep any attached tissue intact, place it it in wet towel, or even back in your son’s mouth, and head to the an emergency dentist right away.

If the lost tooth was not an adult tooth, it would not have been a dental emergency, nor a great need to have the tooth implanted again. However, he may have damaged his mouth in another way, or possibly  injured the adult tooth underneath. If this is the case, a  it might recommended that a spacer be placed to make sure the adult tooth has room to grow in, so visit to your family dentist, or a pediatric dentist, would be a good plan.