All posts by AllSmiles

Sedation Dentistry

I am still nervous after nitrous oxide at the dentist

Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry? I have a really embarrassing fear of the dentist. My current dentist is really nice but every time I have to go I get so nervous I shake and I am sometimes literally sick. I’m afraid I’m going to need a cavity filled or something. My dentist before wasn’t that nice. When I leave this dentist everything is fine but when it’s time for the next appointment I start freaking out again. They say it gets better every time you go. But it hasn’t for me. Any tips? I have another apt in 2 weeks and I want to prepare myself for a better visit. I am asking about sedation because my dentist only uses nitrous and it doesn’t help at all. I am still nervous after I receive it. Thanks Brendon

Brendon – Bad dental experiences are a source of fear and anxiety for many patients. It is good that you have found a gentle dentist. You may be a candidate for a higher level of sedation dentistry. Your medical history will need to be reviewed first.

To start, tell your new dentist about your fear and the reason for it. He or she will pay extra attention to the things that make you particularly nervous. Sometimes, a more thorough explanation of the procedure, and what to expect during and afterward will calm you.

You can take an I-pod and listen to music to distract you from the dental procedure. Or, some dentists have televisions in the treatment room.

If you are very anxious, you may need a dentist who uses higher levels of sedation than nitrous oxide, such as as a small amount of anti-anxiety medication that you take in advance, or IV sedation. Dentists vary in the type of sedation dentistry they offer. Not all dentists provide sedation for their patients.

Sedation dentistry completely relaxes you so that your dentist can complete your treatment while you are free of anxiety.

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

Cosmetic Dentistry, General Dentistry, Teeth whitening

I quit smoking and my teeth are still dark. Where can I find free teeth whitening?

I quit smoking about 2 years ago. I smoked from age 13 to 39. I was hoping that with time my teeth would get whiter by now. Now that it’s been 2 years I am not so confident that it’s going to happen. I started using whitening toothpaste about 3 weeks after I quit. I really don’t see any improvement. Also for over a month last year I used whitening strengths. I got the most costly box I could find at Walmart because I really wanted it to work. I am not about to pay a dentist $500 to get my teeth white so I am going to keep working at it myself. How long will it take for my teeth to lighten, or is it really too late? Is there anywhere I can get free teeth whitening? – Henry

Henry – When you quit smoking, you prevent additional staining of your teeth from the nicotine, but quitting doesn’t reverse the stains and discoloration that smoking has already caused on your teeth.

Whitening toothpaste removes surface stains from your teeth. Stains from cigarette smoking are beneath the surface, and it takes strong bleaching gel to penetrate your teeth and break down the stains in them. Over-the-counter whitening strips just aren’t strong enough.

Many people search online for free teeth-whitening kits. Often shipping rates for the products are very expensive. Other consumers find that the bleaching gel had no effect on their teeth at all. In some cases, teeth or gums have been damaged by chemicals in the bleaching gel, which perhaps was not bleaching gel at all.

A cosmetic dentist can help. He or she will examine your teeth to determine which whitening treatment will work best on them. Either in-office or take-home treatment will get your teeth amazingly white. If necessary, most dentists will be able to work with your budget to make teeth whitening affordable for you. You may be able to find a dentist who offers free teeth-whitening treatment to patients who keep their regularly scheduled dental cleaning and exam appointments.

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

Affordable Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Emergency Dentist, Gentle Dentistry

Can I find an affordable dentist to fix my cracked tooth?

I think my tooth is cracked and I need to find an affordable dentist to fix it. I really can’t see a crack though. I had a heavy blow to my face and I know it hit my tooth. Is this something that will heal on its own or do I need to see a dentist. If it needs to be fixed, how bad will it hurt? Thanks Ian

Ian – If you had trauma to your face and teeth, you may have a cracked tooth. It is important that you quickly find an affordable dentist to examine your tooth.

Some of the symptoms that may indicate your tooth is cracked are pain when you bite or chew, or when the tooth is exposed to heat or cold. You may feel varying levels of pain that come and go.

The inside of your tooth contains soft tissue, or pulp. Pulp contains blood vessels and nerves. A tooth that is cracked is not stable, and causes irritation in the pulp. If it’s left untreated, the pulp can become damaged. Pressure on the tooth when chewing can be painful, and the tooth can be sensitive to extreme changes in temperature. When you find a dentist who can make treatment affordable for you, he or she will treat the tooth based on its condition.

The treatment for your tooth depends on the nature, location, and extent of the crack.

  • Cusp fracture – If the cusp, or biting surface, of your tooth is fractured, it usually doesn’t cause much pain. Your tooth can be protected with a dental crown.
  • Cracked tooth – If the crack in your tooth extends into the root, it will affect the pulp inside your tooth. The crack can gradually spread. The pulp in your tooth will require a root canal treatment to prevent an infection. Cracks that extend below the gumline will likely require the tooth to be extracted. Early treatment is important to prevent the problem from getting worse.
  • Split tooth – A tooth that has been split and segmented cannot be saved intact. The extent of the crack will determine if any portion of the tooth can be saved. Again, prompt treatment is needed to preserve as much of the tooth as possible.
  • Vertical root fracture – This fracture begins at the tooth root and extends toward the biting surface. The surrounding bone and gum may become infected. At times, the fractured portion of the root can be removed to prevent tooth extraction.

Regardless of the treatment you need, your comfort can be maximized by a dentist who is not only affordable, but who also has gentle techniques. Let him or her know about your anxiety. A gentle dentist works hard to ensure that your treatment is pain free. If you are particularly anxious, sedation dentistry may be recommended to help you relax. It’s important that you see a dentist right away.

This post is sponsored by Plano, TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Call our office to find out how Dr. Lacy can make dental treatment affordable for you.  Dr. Lacy’s office is convenient to Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Frisco, Garland, Highland Park, and Little Elm.

Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth whitening

How long should I wait to get crowns after free teeth whitening?

My dentist charges $400 for teeth whitening and I can’t afford that. There is a new dentist in my area who took over a practice and she is offering free teeth whitening with an exam. So I am going to get my next exam from her and get the teeth whitening. I figure I will stick with her through that and then return to my current dentist for my dental crowns. I can’t ask this question of my current dentist because she doesn’t know that I am taking a break from her to get my teeth whitened from someone else. I don’t want to ask the new dentist either because she will think I am taking advantage of her, which in a way I guess is true. My question is: How long should I wait to get crowns after free teeth whitening?

It is good that you realize that your teeth whitening treatment should be completed before crowns are placed. Otherwise, your dental crowns would be darker than your teeth. After your teeth have reached their desired whiteness and your whitening sessions are complete, there will be a two to three-week wait to allow the color of your teeth to stabilize.

After the waiting period, if your teeth are as white as you want them, then you can see your dentist for dental crowns. When you return, of course your dentist will know that you’ve had your teeth whitened. Porcelain crowns will be crafted to match the color of your whitened natural teeth.

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

Comfort Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

Can I take Benadryl to make me sleepy before I go to the dentist?

For the average person getting cavities filled might not be a problem, but it’s a problem for me. I need something to sedate me or relax me before my dentist’s appointment. I have never had cavities before, and I hate going to even the nicest, most gentle dentist. Now I have 2 cavities that need to be filled. I am going with composite and I know that takes longer than silver fillings. My question is can I take maybe a Benadryl or something for the fillings even though it’s a simple and quick procedure? Will Benadryl affect anything the dentist will do or put in my mouth? I got a suggestion to drink alcohol before the appointment but that doesn’t sound like a good idea to me. What is something safe for me to take before the dental appointment? Manuel

Manuel – Yes, you can be sedated for the simplest of dental procedures. But you shouldn’t try to sedate yourself with Benadryl, alcohol, or by any other means. If you are anxious or nervous, a sedation dentist prefers that you be relaxed before your appointment. If you can’t relax, the dental treatment and your visit won’t be productive. But leave the sedation to your dentist.

A sedation dentist uses nitrous oxide (also referred to as laughing gas), conscious oral sedation (mild, anti-anxiety medication), or IV sedation to help you relax during a dental procedure. The levels of sedation offered varies with the dentist and his or her training. All are common, safe means of helping patients relax.

Many patients cancel dental appointments because of their anxiety. Some patients actually refer to themselves as dental cowards or dental phobic. Speak with your dentist about your concerns and your desire for sedation. If he or she doesn’t offer a level of sedation adequate for your needs, you can consider finding a dentist who does.

Your comfort level with a dentist can contribute to or decrease some of your anxiety. If you need to find a dentist who practices sedation, we suggest that you schedule a consultation first to ensure you are comfortable with the office environment, staff members, and dentist.

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

Affordable Dentistry, Dentures

How do I find an affordable dentist to replace my dentures?

I just got new dentures 3 months ago. I thought I was done, but now I need to find an affordable dentist to replace my dentures. The upper dentures fit great but the lower dentures are very loose and regularly come off. Is this normal? I can’t even eat soft foods like applesauce and yogurt without dislodging them. The place I got the dentures from is one of those mega denture centers. I was treated quite rudely on all of my 4 attempts to get them to do something about these loose dentures. I refuse to be insulted when I have paid for a product and service. A close friend of mine is a consumer protection attorney and I am thinking about getting her help to get my money back. Meanwhile I still have to get dentures that fit. My budget doesn’t allow me to pay out of pocket right away, so I need to find an understanding dentist who is going to work with me on this issue. I feel awful about this, but I feel that I don’t have a lot of options. How do I begin to find an affordable dentist who will work with me on paying for new dentures? Thanks. Jeanne

Jeanne – We are sorry to hear about the difficulty you have experienced with your transition to dentures. Be assured that you can find an affordable dentist to help you.

It is not normal for new lower dentures to regularly come off. If they do come off regularly, either they were not properly fit initially, or previous to receiving dentures, you may have experienced jawbone shrinkage, which would make it difficult to keep a denture in.

You should speak with your new dentist about the problem. It is possible that your dentures need to be relined or even remade. You can contact a few cosmetic dentists in your area and ask about financial arrangements for financing or payment plans. Schedule a consultation with at least two of the dentists. Cosmetic dentists provide natural-looking dentures that fit well.

If you have experienced jawbone shrinkage, bone grafting can build your bone back up so that it can support a denture. Affordable dental implants can be used to stabilize your dentures and prevent further jawbone shrinkage. When your dentures are secured with dental implants, it will be easier to eat and speak with them.

If won’t be difficult to find an affordable dentist who will understand your circumstances and help you get the dental care you need.

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

Teeth whitening

How do I dilute teeth whitening gel I got for free?

I am going to be in my friend’s wedding in September. I am wearing Invisalign. I love the aligners because they are so clear, but my teeth are not white. My cousin get free take home whitening gel from her dentist. She has more than she can use before the expiration date so she is giving some of it away. She gave me 4 tubes and told me that I probably can get a month worth of whitening from the tubes. So I am going to do the whitening myself at home. I wear Invisalign so I figure that the trays can serve a dual purpose. I wore the trays with the gel in them for the past few nights. Now I am wondering if the gel is too strong because my gums are burning. Is there any way to dilute the gel? How do it? Thanks. Darcy

Darcy – It is exciting to be able to get free teeth-whitening gel that works! But Invisalign aligners are made specifically to align your teeth, not to whiten them. They are not designed to support teeth bleaching gel. The structure of bleaching trays is different from teeth aligning trays. You may ruin your Invisalign aligners and damage your gums if you continue to put bleaching gel in the trays. Teeth bleaching trays are designed to keep bleaching gel sealed against your teeth and away from your gums. It is best to use customized trays.

Dentists provide bleaching gel based on the causes of stains in a patient’s teeth, the level of sensitivity the bleaching gel may cause for the patient, and the fact that custom bleaching trays are provided. A teeth whitening system that works for one patient may not work for another patient. If the bleaching gel is too strong for your teeth, you are unable to dilute it. You may need a get that has a lower concentration of the bleaching agent. But the problem may be due to using Invisalign aligners instead of custom teeth-whitening trays.

Although you received free teeth-whitening gel from your cousin, it might not be the best option for you. If you want your teeth whitened, speak with your dentist about your options for receiving it during your Invisalign treatment. It’s the safest way to get it done.

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

Affordable Dentistry

Did I get ripped off by an affordable dentist?

I did a lot of research to find an affordable dentist. My dental insurance expired in March because my hours were cut to part-time work. I don’t mind paying out of pocket but I guess this is not at all what I was expecting. When I got to the dentist I needed digital x-rays. The hygienist told me that it looks like I have gum disease, so I needed a deep cleaning. The dentist found 2 teeth that he says needs porcelain inlays, and I have a follow up appointment in 2 weeks. I am beginning to wonder if this dentist is trying to line her pockets a little thicker. What about this dental visit says this is really an affordable dentist? Last night I started thinking about switching dentists but I am concerned that the new dentist will want to repeat some of the same work I had done already and it will cost me even more money. Should I have left the office when they told me I needed a deep cleaning?  Thanks Rozalia

Rozalia,

There are many variables in the cost of dental care, including the cost of living and operating a business in a certain area, an individual dentist’s fees, and how that dentist makes treatment affordable. Affordability may be offered in the form of lower fees for treatment, but it can also be provided through payment plans or financing.

A deep dental cleaning is not uncommon. A buildup of tartar, inflamed gums, or periodontal disease will prompt a conscientious hygienist to complete a deep cleaning. Scaling and root planing are completed to ensure that plaque beneath your gumline is removed. This will help your gum tissue adhere to your tooth roots and ensure your teeth are stable. Otherwise, your teeth can loosen. Although you should have been given a reason for the deep periodontal cleaning, ask your dental hygienist why he or she thought it was necessary.

X-rays are a routine part of ensuring your teeth and the cavities of your mouth are in good condition. A panoramic x-ray examines your teeth, mouth, and jaw. It is taken every few years. Bite-wing x-rays assist your dentist with early detection of cavities, and they are taken yearly.

Depending on the previous dates of your dental cleanings and x-rays, the dental care you received was likely routine. Ask your dentist why she is recommending porcelain inlays instead of composite fillings. Carefully consider the reason inlays are recommended. In the long term, they may last longer than fillings in the teeth would.

You will likely receive reasonable explanations for the diagnosis and treatment. If you decide to switch to a new dentist, ask for fee estimates, and inquire about what that particular practice does to make dentistry affordable for its patients.

 

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

Sedation Dentistry

Is sedation dentistry like anesthesia?

Is sedation dentistry like anesthesia during outpatient surgery? I’ve received a few postcards from new dentists in the area who do sedation. My dentist doesn’t offer it at all, but I am not attached to him because I’ve only been going to the practice for a year. I like him, but I feel no commitment. I think my anxiety at the dentist would be much better if I got sedation so I am thinking of making the switch. Before I get talked into it I would just like more information on how it works. Is sedation like anesthesia? Thanks Kerry

Kerry,

The main difference between sedation dentistry and general anesthesia is that with sedation dentistry you are awake. There are different levels of the treatment, depending on your level of anxiety. A sedation dentist may offer some or all of the levels.

The levels of sedation are nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. The treatment makes you drowsy. Some patients actually fall asleep through the dental procedure, including tooth extractions, root canal treatment, dental crowns, or whatever treatment they are receiving. Since you won’t be unconscious, you will be able to respond to your dentist’s questions and commands throughout your procedure.

Sedation dentistry relieves a lot of anxiety before, during, and after your dental procedure. Often just the anticipation of a dental appointment can make you nervous. Your sedation dentist will speak with you about the cause of your anxiety. He or she will match your anxiety level with the procedure being done and determine whether you need nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation.

After your dental appointment, you will still be drowsy. Like outpatient surgery, you will need transportation and need to take the rest of the day off.

We recommend that you visit at least two sedation dentists. The levels of sedation offered can vary, so you may want to find a dentist who offers at least two levels. Before you receive any dental treatment with sedation, the dentist will review your medical history to ensure you are a candidate for it. Ensure you are comfortable with the dentist first before you receive sedation. Your trust in his or her qualifications will give you confidence in the dentist during your appointment.

 

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

Affordable Dentistry

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.