All posts by writeradmin

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.

CEREC crowns

Do CEREC crowns have to be a certain color?

I got a CEREC crown a few weeks ago. I was very excited about the idea of getting it all done in one appointment. However, I was quite disappointed in the color. It doesn’t match my teeth very well at all with my natural teeth. My dentist says that is what they have to look like. That doesn’t seem right to me. In fact, it seems like a technological step back. Is he correct?

Illyia K- Santa Clarita, CA

Illyia,

Your intuition is correct. CEREC technology can make any color you want. No one would put up with crowns that don’t match, no matter how fast it could be made. The technology would be uselessEither your dentist is lying or incompetent.  It’s possible he doesn’t know much about color matching and he just did the best he could.

My suggestion is that you ask him for a refund and go to another dentist to have your crown done.  Even with advanced technology you have to have a dentist that is skilled in cosmetic dentistry. A CEREC crown will look gorgeous if it is done correctly. The porcelain matches the natural translucency of your teeth.

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

Sedation Dentistry

Can I get all my teeth pulled?

I absolutely hate going to the dentist. Like HATE it. Every time I go in, he causes me more pain than I was in when I got there. Do you think the dentist will just take out all my teeth and give me dentures? I think it will solve a lot of problems.

Elizabeth M. – Tennessee

Elizabeth,

You may find a dentist willing to do that, but I don’t think it will solve your dental problems. Instead you will find every day difficult, instead of just dental visits.   Even the best dentures drop your chewing efficiency to about twenty percent.

Plus, they are uncomfortable and will eventually start to slip and slide because your jawbone decreases the longer you wear them.  Your other option would be to spend thousands and thousands of dollars getting dental implants. That will solve many of the above mentioned problems, but they’re still not the same as having your own teeth. Plus, it will require surgery and months of healing.

There is a simple solution to your problem. Have you considered sedation dentistry?  That will enable you to get your teeth worked on in a pain free way. It will also allow your dentist to do more work in one sitting. It will let you catch up on any dental work you’ve neglected out of fear.

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

CEREC crowns

Problems with a CEREC crown?

I have two crowns in my mouth. One is twelves years old and doing well. The second one, a CEREC crown, I’ve only had for a couple of weeks and it is already giving me trouble. Are CEREC crowns not as stable? Plus, there is some substance that I think is cement around the base of the crown.

Grayson I. – Kansas City

Grayson,

Were both these crowns done by the same dentist?  The reason I ask is that your basic dental crown and CEREC crowns are equally hearty. The thing that generally determines their success is the skill of the dentist combined with the care of the patient.

Because you still have some of the bonding material on your tooth area and crowns I’m thinking the problem is your dentist and not your crown. He needs to remove the cement. It is going to irritate your gums.

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

Sedation Dentistry

Can a hospital do my extractions?

If I need full dentures, can a hospital do my extractions? I can’t deal with dentists very well.

Justine M. -Oklahoma City, OK

Justine,

While it is possible to go to the hospital to have your extractions done, it will be extremely expensive.  There are ways to have your teeth removed without pain. It is called sedation dentistry. Because I suspect you are looking for some deep sedation, I will recommend two of the strongest levels of sedation:

1. Oral sedation: With this, you’ll take a pill before your appointment.

2. IV Sedation: This requires an anesthetist.

Both methods require you to have someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Every dentist is different as to what types of sedation they offer, so you’ll need to call around.

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

Dental Emergency

Can I put off a root canal?

If I am not in pain, can I put off a root canal. If so, how long?

Deidre I. – Louisiana

Deidre,

If your infection isn’t active, then you can put it off indefinitely. However, if there is pain, even a little bit, that means you have an active infection. Sometimes the pain stops and then starts again. Whenever there is pain, I suggest you get seen right away.

If you don’t have a dentist, you can always go to an emergency dentist, at least just for this treatement. Then, you can take your time looking for a new dentist.

Another sign of infection is if you have a pimple on your gums or some drainage in your mouth.

If you put off the root canal too long, you run the risk of your tooth becoming unsaveable, due to root reabsorption.

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

CEREC crowns

Crown won’t stay in

My permanent crown has fallen off three times.  My dentist can’t figure out what is going wrong. Do you have an idea?

Drew B. – MN

Drew,

I have some idea. I think your dentist doesn’t know how to bond them on properly.  If you use the proper bonding technique, then the crowns do not fall off. It is as simple as that.  You telling me that it has fallen out three times, really makes me think your dentist hasn’t a clue what he or she is doing. I’m not exaggerating. I know dentists who’ve been in business for over thirty years whom have never had a crown fall out.  In fact, I don’t know a dentist who has had a crown fall out.

I think you need a second opinion.  Go to a different dentist. Ask them if anything is wrong with your crown. If not, they can just bond it on for you, no problem. If there is something wrong with the crown as well, then I would see if they could make you a CEREC crown. This will save you an additional appointment, especially if you had to drive a distance for the second opinion. CEREC machines can mill your crown the same day as your appointment. There is no need for a temporary crown.

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