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Sedation Dentistry

Child scared of the dentist

My nine year old daughter had a bad experience at the dentist last year. Since then, she hasn’t wanted to go.  In fact, she’s terrified.  Is there a way to help children with this?

Elaine D. –  South Dakota

Elaine,

What will help her the most is a series of good experiences at the dentist, but I realize you have to get her there calmly first.  There is sedation dentistry. It is safe for children.

There are different levels of sedation: nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation,  and IV sedation.  I would discuss what is going on with your dentist and decide which option is better. If he’s not compassionate with your daughter’s fear, then you need to find a different dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

My dentist made me cry

I had the worst dental appointment.  I need to have several teeth removed.  My dentist said I need to have dental implants put in, but I just can’t afford it. My dentist essentially told me that if I cared about my teeth I’d get the implants because they are the best treatment. He made me feel stupid. He also hinted that I wouldn’t look as attractive. I’ll be honest, when I got home I broke down and cried. What woman wants to be less attractive? I just can’t afford it.

Cyndy- Bartlett, TN

Cyndy,

I’m having trouble  not getting angry at your dentist and I’ve not even met him. Let me just say to get it out before we discuss your case, that I believe he is being unethical and manipulative.

I really hope, but am doubting, that your dentist gave you all your options. Yes, dental implants are the ideal solution, but they’re the only option.  The last thing your dentist should be doing is making you feel guilty about needing a more affordable dental option. He certainly shouldn’t be making comments about your appearance.

If he was any good at his job, he could make your smile beautiful no matter what procedure you chose.

You could also look into dental bridges or removable partial dentures as very viable options to dental implants. If you feel like you can communicate with your dentist, I’d discuss those options with him. However, I would be more inclined to tell you to find a less manipulative dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Dental Emergency

Dentist doesn’t care about my broken crown

I had a temporary crown break. My dentist said it would be several days before he could see me and that this wasn’t considered an emergency. I called another dentist explaining the situation. He fit me in right away and said it most definitely is an emergency. How can there be such a difference in emergency standards?

Jean F. – Philadelphia

Jean,

Every dentist is different in what their dental emergency policy is. Some dentists will see you the same day, even if you’re not a patient of theirs. Others may not see even their own patients, unless they’ve lost a tooth.

The key is to discuss these policies with your dentist before there is an actual issue. That way you’re not taken by surprise when something does arise.

It sounds like you demand more individualized care from your dentist and your current dentist’s policy might not fit with your expectations.

This blog is brought to you by  Lake Forest Dentist Dr. Richard Cottrell.

CEREC crowns

Do I need to switch dentists to get a CEREC crown?

My sister says CEREC crowns are superior to other types of dental crowns. My dentist says he doesn’t do CEREC crowns. Do I need to switch dentists? Are they that superior? I’ve always felt satisfied with my denitst before.

Alamander O. – Florida

Alamander,

I don’t think getting or not getting a CEREC crown is something to switch dentists over, especially if you’ve been happy with your dentist’s work in general. The only immediate benefit to getting a CEREC crown is you save yourself an appointment.  CEREC crowns do not have to be sent off to a lab for completion. Instead, it is milled in-house by a computer, so you get your dental crown in just one appointment.

If you’re happy with  your dentist, I’m assuming that means either a) he’s both skilled and artistic. That is what will matter when it comes to deciding about what dentist does your crown.

If he does a great job and you have always felt that your dental work looked natural, then I think it would be a mistake to switch. You could ask your dentist if he’s every going to get  a machine that mills CEREC crowns, but don’t make that your priority.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert dentist Dr. Matt Roper

Mercury Free

Are mercury free fillings hard to learn?

I want to get a white filling that doesn’t have mercury in them. The problem is my dentist told me he doesn’t know how to do them.  Would it be hard to learn? Could you talk him through it in a blog post?

Samantha – Houston

Samantha,

You are fortunate that you have such an honest dentist.  Some would just try to bluff their way through it, which could be a disaster. When these fillings are improperly placed they can cause problems.

While, they are not difficult to learn, they do require some specialized training.  I don’t think walking him through it on a blog would be a safe thing to do. There are plenty of places where he could learn the techique.  Until then, you’ll need somewhere to get a mercury free filing. I’d ask your dentist to recommend someone local, but make it clear to him that you plan on keeping him as your dentist, so he doesn’t feel threatened.

This will be good for your dentist. I can’t imagine not knowing how to place a composite filling in the 21st century.

This blog is brought to you by Chicago Holistic Dentist Dr. Kasia Lopez.

Sedation Dentistry

I want to get knocked out for dental work

I need a significant amount of dental work done. I was hoping that I could get knocked out to have it done. Is that possible? Like anesthesia?

Bennie B. – Oregon

Bennie,

While it is possible to get anesthesia, you have a much more affordable option. I suggest you look for a sedation dentist who performs IV sedation.

This is a little different from anesthesia. Think of it as conscious sedation. You’ll still feel “knocked out”, but you’ll retain all your reflexes and muscle control.

Most patients who do IV sedation don’t even remember the appointment. The additional benefit is it will be significantly cheaper.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Affordable Dentistry

Is being a test case an affordable way to get a smile makeover?

I have always been embarassed about my smile. Always. However, I am quite poor. I’m a single mom and work two jobs just to make ends meet. There is no way in the world I will ever be able to afford a smile makeover. Last week my dentist mentioned that he is learning how to do porcelain veneers. He knows my financial situation and offered to do them for free if I would be a practice case for him. Is this a safe way to get a smile makeover? It’s certainly affordable.

Amy R. – Missouri

Amy,

Normally I would say run away from a situation like this, but I’m not going to this time. Not just because it is an affordable way to get a smile makeover. In this case I think your dentist cares and isn’t just using you. Before you agree, there needs to be a stipulation. If your dentist doesn’t agree to it, I don’t care how affordable the makeover is, it won’t be worth it.

You must insist that you get to preview the veneers before he cements them on permanently. Your dentist can use a temporary  try on paste. This way you can make sure you’re in love with them before it is too late.

If you try them on and aren’t completely and totally in love with them, he needs to send them back to the lab and try again.  This is something even expert cosmetic dentists do.  The point of cosmetic dentistry is to make sure the patient feels beautiful when they smile.

If he’s willing to do that, then you’ll get a fantastic deal.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC crowns

Is this disadvantage about cerec crowns true?

I want to get a cerec crown, but my mother says they don’t look as natural as other crowns. Is that true?

Tasha Y. – Detroit

Tasha,

In many cases mother knows best, but this isn’t one of them.  The only difference between a beautiful crown and an ugly crown is the skill  and artistry of the dentist.

CEREC crowns are milled from porcelain just like a regular dental crown, so they have the same beautiful characteristics. It’s up to your dentist to develop the color and variations in the crown.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

CEREC crowns

Persistent Pain With CEREC Crowns

I had my first cerec crown. Now I have pain every time I bite down. I wnet back and my dentist shaved it–twice, but I still have the same problem.  Is it because it is a cerec crown or is there something else wrong?

Sammie M- Boston, MA

Sammie,

The problem is not the crown. In fact, CEREC crowns are generally more accurately placed because they are milled from a computer.  There are generally two reasons for pain with a crown.  One is that the crown is too high. I don’t think that is the problem, your dentist has already shaved it twice.

The second possible reason for the pain is infection.  I would have the tooth x-rayed to see if there is an infection. They can be a little tricky to see sometimes.  Because you’ve been in so much pain and your dentist wasn’t quick enough to figure out it could be an infection, I suggest you go to a root canal specialist.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Dental Emergency

Should I have brought my son in?

Yesterday my son got kicked in the mouth at school. It knocked out one of his teeth.  The school didn’t tell me about it until later, which really angered me.  I would have wanted to come up and check on him.  By the time I found out about it, he was fine, so I decided just to let it alone.  Now I’m sitting at home wondering if I should have brought my son in to the dentist to have him checked out?  Did I do the wrong thing?

Yvette L.- Seattle

Yvette,

I am assuming were talking about a baby tooth and not an adult tooth, right?  If it is a baby tooth and there doesn’t seem to be any trauma, then you’re probably fine.  It wouldn’t hurt to get him looked at, but it is certainly not a dental emergency. Little children’s teeth don’t really have roots, so there isn’t generally trauma when one gets banged out prematurely.

If it was an adult tooth, then he would have needed to be seen right away to have any chance of saving the tooth.  Those roots go deep. You would have wanted to keep it moist by putting it in a glass of milk or if that isn’t available, you could put it in your mouth by your cheek. 

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.