Need to find a dentist with reasonable prices

My adult niece just got approved for SSDI. She has never been able to work a job that provided enough hours for her to get dental insurance. She hasn’t been to a good dentist since 2012! I took her to a dental clinic but the service was so bad and she was treated so rudely that we had to leave before her dental cleaning was over. She still needs some significant dental work completed. I don’t want the solution to be to simply pull her decayed teeth. I really want them fixed. She already has some serious self-esteem issues, so the solution isn’t to pull teeth. I am working on getting her dental coverage but this is a very slow process. I am afraid that she will get a tooth infection if I don’t do something soon. There is a very strong odor on her breath. What should I do to find a dentist with reasonable prices? I will pay out of pocket if I have to. Thank you Eva

 

Eva – We compliment you for taking care of your sister and being so concerned about her oral health. The oral health of people who need public assistance is often neglected. Your proactive approach will really help your sister in the long term.

Most often, government programs provide limited benefits for dental treatment. Dental cleanings are often covered, but teeth are often extracted rather than restored. Speak with your sister’s case worker or social worker to find out what dental coverage is available. The dental insurance provider can provide with more information on plan provisions.

If you want to get dental treatment right away, consider your own dentist as a start. Explain the situation and your willingness to pay for your sister’s dental care. Your dentist may be willing to provide you with a payment plan or financing. If your dentist isn’t able to help, call a few dentists, including those who accept Medicare patients. Check for reviews of each dentist to ensure your sister will get quality care. Don’t be afraid to switch dentist’s if things don’t turn out well.

Also, you may be able to find inexpensive dental coverage for basic dental care for your sister. Even if you are only able to get limited insurance, some coverage will help you pay for the costs.

We wish you the best outcome possible.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Expiration date for free teeth whitening?

I have been looking for the best sources for free teeth whitening. I actually found a few websites to get it from but then when it was time to check out, I noticed that the shipping and handling was about $20 and up. So that’s not exactly free. I can probably get something for that price from Walmart. My sister lives in GA and I was talking to her about it last week. She said that she got her teeth whitened from her dentist and she has more free teeth whitening gel than she could ever use so she can send me some of that. I think that is a smart move. She can’t remember when she got the gel or if it goes bad after a while. Is there an expiration date for it? – Gabriele

Gabriele – A box of whitening gel should have an expiration date on it. But if you have tubes that are not in a box, depending on the brand, the date may not be on the tube. Typically, the gel lasts up to one year if it is not refrigerated, or up to two years if it is kept in the refrigerator. We don’t recommend that you use your sister’s extra bleaching gel in order to get your teeth whitened free.

A dentist dispenses whitening gel based on each patient’s case. The strength of gel and the brand can be varied according to each patient’s needs. Whitening gel that is right for one patient may be too weak—or too strong—for another patient.

Also, free teeth whitening supplies from a dentist are meant to be used with custom bleaching trays that help the gel penetrate your teeth while keeping it off of your gums. What type of trays will you use for teeth whitening? How will you ensure the professional-strength gel stays in contact with your teeth and doesn’t ooze out and burn your gums?

You will get better, more predictable results, from your dentist. Your teeth and gums will be examined first to determine if it is the best time to whiten them, or if there are other dental issues that need to be addressed first.

Your dentist will also provide you with custom trays and bleaching gel that is right for your circumstances. Some dentists provide free teeth whitening to patients who maintain regular dental cleaning appointment. Speak with your dentist about how he or she can make teeth whitening affordable for you.

 

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

Will sedation help me get all my teeth fixed in one appointment?

I was without dental insurance for 5 years. During that time all I could afford to do was get my teeth cleaned once a year. Before my insurance ended I had major problems with my teeth. So the crowns and fillings she recommended were put on hold. Now I have some major cavities. I am guessing that I will need at least 3 caps on my teeth. One of the teeth is starting to hurt so I hope it doesn’t need a root canal. I am not a person who is usually afraid of the dentist but all the work I think that I will need is making me lean toward a sedation dentist. Just the number of teeth that need to be fixed is making me nervous. I am wondering if a sedation dentist will do all of this work in one appointment. If so it will be worth it for me to find a sedation dentist. Thanks Cheryl

 

Cheryl,

It is good that you are already thinking about seeing a sedation dentist. The amount of work that needs to be completed on your teeth makes sedation appropriate. This treatment allows a dentist to accomplish as much as possible during a single visit.

In order to determine what dental treatment you really need and how much of it can be completed in a single visit, an examination and x-rays are required.

We suggest that you first find two or three experienced sedation dentists who are also cosmetic dentists. Schedule a consultation with each dentist. Find out what levels of sedation are offered and how the dentist determines which level of sedation is right for you.

An examination and x-rays will reveal whether you need root canal treatment and dental crowns. A cosmetic dentist will most likely select treatment options that preserve as much of your tooth structure as possible. At times, porcelain inlays or onlays are a more conservative way to treat teeth. This avoids the need to shave down the tooth structure to accommodate a dental crown.

During the consultation, ask about the forms of payment that are accepted in addition to your dental insurance. You will likely have out-of-pocket costs.

Choose a sedation dentist that you’re comfortable with. Ensure that you’re also comfortable with the staff and office environment. The right dentist will ensure your comfort and give you a beautiful smile.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.