All posts by AllSmiles

How Can You Get Affordable Dentistry Without Dental Insurance?

I’m wondering what my options are for finding cheap dental care without insurance. In June 2018, I was laid off from my job. In March of this year, I was hired by as a contractor, so I don’t qualify for benefits. I admit that I haven’t taken the best care of my teeth. My stressful employment situation has increased my teeth grinding habit, and last week I felt a tooth crack while I was asleep. I realize that something needs to be done before the crack spreads. Is it possible to get cheap dental care even though I don’t have insurance, or is the issue too serious for treatment to be affordable?

Thanks, Kleo

Dear Kleo,

We understand how your economic difficulties can cause stress and contribute to increased bruxism (teeth grinding) and additional issues with your teeth. We have a few suggestions you can consider to receive the dental care you need even though you don’t have insurance.

Avoid Cheap Dental Care

It’s probably best to avoid seeking cheap dental care. If a dentist is able to significantly cut costs, you should consider if it will include shortcuts and compromising the quality of dental care you receive.

Find Quality Care You Can Afford

Photo of a woman in a dental chair with a dentist and hygienst on either side of her; for information on affordable dentistry from Plano TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Ask your dentist’s office how care can be made affordable
  • You can get dental insurance on your own. Major insurers have policies similar to what is offered through an employer, including the level of coverage. Your premiums will cost more than they would if the insurance was provided through an employer who subsidized the premium costs.
  • Find a dental practice that offers special financial arrangements. Call a few dental offices and ask if they offer a cash discount or if the practice partners with a financing company like CareCredit®. CareCredit offers interest-free payment plans if you pay off the balance within a specified time period, otherwise, you might owe retroactive interest.
  • Receive treatment in phases. If you need multiple procedures, your dental office can provide a treatment plan and let you know the order in which you should receive each procedure. Often treatment can be provided in phases if it doesn’t compromise your oral health.
  • Tell your new dentist about your teeth grinding habit. You can cause further damage to your teeth if they aren’t protected from teeth grinding. They can break, loosen, and create issues with your jaw muscles. Your dentist will provide you with a nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. You can also learn techniques to keep your tongue, lips, and jaw in the optimal position to prevent teeth grinding throughout the day.

 In summary:

  • Search for high-quality dental care.
  • View each dentist’s website or call the office for information on payment options if you don’t have dental insurance.
  • Schedule a consultation with at least two dentists to discuss your oral health, treatment options, and if the treatment can be completed in phases.

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

How Long Do Teeth Whitening Gel and Trays Last?

Almost 2 years ago, I took advantage of a free teeth whitening promo offered by a new dentist. I had new patient cleaning and exam. They took impressions of my teeth, made custom trays for me, and gave me whitening gel. I haven’t returned to that dentist because the office environment was unprofessional. It’s a family dentist but I don’t feel comfortable taking my daughter there. Are the trays and gel good for life? I didn’t use it right away. I actually put the supplies in the cabinet below my bathroom sick and forgot about it. Is it still safe to use? And will it work? D.L.

D.L.,

The trays you received with your free teeth whitening kit should be good for life if you have kept them in their protective case and have not experienced any of the following issues:

  • The alignment of your teeth has changed
  • You’ve recently received a considerable amount of dental work
  • The bleaching trays are damaged

You can rinse the bleaching trays, place them on your teeth, and check them for fit.

Is It Save to Use the Free Teeth Whitening Gel?

Photo of upper and lower teeth whitening trays in a blue case; for information on teeth alignment from the office Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Custom teeth whitening trays can last for many years

Most whitening gel lasts about a year after it is made. If it is kept in the refrigerator, the gel can still be good for use a little longer than a year. Over time the gel oxidizes and loses its potency. The gel will begin to look white or foggy if it is old. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is dangerous to use, but it probably won’t whiten your teeth.

Dentists offer quality teeth whitening, so the tubes you received probably have the manufacturer’s name on them as well as the gel type. You can search online for the guidelines for using the gel. If you can’t find any information, it’s probably best to throw away the gel.

Custom bleaching trays cost more than gel. If you are keeping up with your dental appointments for cleanings and exams, tell your current dentist that you already have custom trays. He or she might be willing to offer you the gel at no cost or for a reasonable fee.

 This post is sponsored by Dr. Miranda Lacy. Dr. Lacy of Plano, TX offers free teeth whitening to patients who maintain regular dental exams and cleanings.

3 Things to Consider When Getting an Affordable Dental Crown

A dental crown protects a badly damaged tooth. Left untreated, the tooth can become infected and eventually need to be extracted. But is it possible to find an affordable crown that will last?

Depending on your dentist and where you live in the U.S., the cost of a dental crown can vary. But the average cost is $800-$1800. If you have dental insurance, your insurance company can provide you with the average cost of a crown in your area.

What about an Affordable Dental Crown?

The purpose of a dental crown is to protect a tooth. Several steps are involved:

  • Your natural tooth must be precisely shaved to ensure the crown covers it.
  • Accurate impressions of your natural tooth need to be taken to ensure the crown fits and doesn’t disturb adjacent teeth.
  • The crown must be correctly bonded to your natural tooth to ensure it is stable and doesn’t hurt when you bite down.
  • The way your teeth fit together—your bite—must be properly measured.

If your goal is to find an affordable dentist, your choice should not be based solely on cost. If a dentist takes shortcuts or gives you a cheap crown, the results can be costly in time, your oral health, and money.

Before-and-after photos of porcelain crowns, which are available from Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
An affordable crown should still look natural

What Are the Risks?

A cheap dental crown can result in several problems, including:

  1. Your bite – If your bite is off, it can put too much pressure on the crown and cause it to crack. You’ll have to spend time and money getting another crown.
  2. Complications – TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues can result from can bite can cause jaw, head, ear, and neck pain. TMJ treatment can include therapy and a nighttime mouthguard, both of which will cause additional expense.
  3. Improper bonding –  If proper bonding techniques are not used, the crown can come off. The crown can be lost, or you’ll need an additional appointment for re-bonding. You could need a new crown.

What’s Next?

Don’t act hastily. Ask friends and family members for a recommendation of a dentist. Many people have dental crowns, and someone you know might have received a quality crown from a skilled dentst. An affordable dentist will work with your budget through payment plans or financing to ensure you can pay for treatment. But avoid cheap dentistry. It puts your oral health at risk.

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

Thinking about Whitening Your Own Teeth for Free?

Are you thinking about whitening your teeth without having to pay a dentist? Some people think that as long as they get a good product, completing their own treatment is the next best thing to free teeth whitening. But how do you know which bleaching gel to use? And what results can you expect?

It Starts with the Trays

Before you consider which brand of bleaching gel to use, keep in mind that custom whitening trays will give you the best results. Why use custom trays?

Photo of upper and lower teeth whitening trays in a blue case; for information on teeth alignment from the office Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
You’ll get better result with custom teeth whitening trays
  • Precise fit – Custom whitening trays are made from impressions of your teeth. They will fit precisely to maximize the whitening treatment.
  • Results – The trays will keep bleaching gel in contact with your teeth and away from your gums. You won’t have to worry about wasting gel.
  • Comfort – Since the trays are the exact shape of your teeth, the bleaching process will be comfortable. The bleaching gel won’t burn your lips or gums. You can read, relax, or watch a movie without trying to keep a one-size-fits-all tray on your teeth and away from your lips and gums. There is no mess to clean up with custom trays.

And Now the Teeth Whitening Products

So which product will you use? There are so many whitening products available. If you search online, you can even find free teeth whitening kits. But what results can you expect?

  • Whitening strips – The strength of over-the-counter whitening strips is limited because they don’t require the supervision of a dentist. The most potent whitening strips are a fraction of the strength professional bleaching gel.
  • Brush-on gel – This bleaching gel is brushed on your teeth. There are many brands available. Based on the common ingredients, you can expect a mild whitening effect. Like whitening strip, it is not as effective as professional-strength bleaching gel.
  • Opalescence or Zoom Nite White – Some dentists use these brands. They are available in various strengths for comfortable whitening. If you have sensitive teeth, a less potent gel will be used. Within two weeks your teeth will be dramatically whiter. These high-potency gels contain carbamide peroxide, one of the most effective whitening agents, and should be administered by a dentist.
  • Snow® whitening – Snow teeth whitening is a popular brand that is advertised on TV. It also ranks highly on Google search. After painting on bleaching gel, you will place a tray over your teeth that will shine an LED light on them. The idea is that the light will boost the whitening process. But does it work? It’s difficult to find information on the website about the ingredients in the bleaching gel. And no studies are published on the Snow website.

If you want safe, effective whitening, the best way to get it is from your dentist. If you want free teeth whitening treatment, even some dentists provide it if you maintain your cleaning and exam appointments.

But if you’re determined to do your own teeth whitening, ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, and use caution in your product selection

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

3 Reasons Not to Sedate Yourself before a Dental Appointment

Head and shoulders photo of a man and woman lying in a field of flowers, for information on sedation dentistry from Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Sedation dentistry helps you relax

Some estimates show that 80% of Americans have at least some anxiety about dental appointments. Sedation dentistry can help. In Plano, TX Dr. Miranda Lacy is a female dentist who provides sedation to help you remain calm and have productive dental visits. But should you sedate yourself before your dental appointment? Doing so can be risky. And there are several reasons you should allow your dentist provide medication to help you relax.

1. How Much Sedation Do You Need?

Your dentist can make an accurate determination. There are several factors that affect how much sedation you need.

  • Complexity and length of your dental procedure
  • Your anxiety level
  • Your medical and prescription history

If you decide to self-medicate for sedation before your dental appointment, you can take too much or too little of the medication. Either condition won’t agree with your dental procedure.

  • Too little – You won’t be relaxed enough, and your dentist won’t be able to proceed with treatment.
  • Too much – You won’t be able to respond to your dentist’s questions or instructions.
  • Adequate sedation – It relaxes you enough to relieve anxiety, yet allows you to respond to your dentist during treatment. It also decreases your sensitivity to pain. Your relaxed state will increase the amount of dental work that can be completed in a single visit.

2. Will Your Own Anti-Anxiety Medication Work?

Dr. Lacy provides sedation with either nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation.

  • Nitrous oxide – It is colorless, odorless gas, also known as laughing gas. You breathe it in to achieve a sense of calmness and well-being.
  • Oral conscious sedation – Dr. Lacy will give you an anti-anxiety pill to take in advance of your appointment.

If you already take anti-anxiety medication, let Dr. Lacy know the name of the medication, dosage, and how often you take it.

3. What about DIY Sedation before a Dental Appointment?

There are various ways that people try to sedation themselves before a dental appointment. But you shouldn’t try any of them.

  • Smoking – Smoking of any kind—whether it’s tobacco or marijuana—causes inflammation and slows down the healing process. Depending on the type of dental procedure you receive (e.g., dental implants to replace missing teeth, extractions), your dentist will recommend that you stop smoking at least a few weeks before. Mental impairment from smoking marijuana can affect your judgment if the dentist asks you to make an unexpected decision during a dental procedure.
  • Alcohol – Alcohol can thin blood, inhibit blood clotting, depress the central nervous system, and cause rapid or irregular heartbeat. Those factors can negatively affect any dental procedure. Don’t use alcohol to help you relax before a dental appointment.
  • Prescribed sedatives – You must fully disclose your current prescriptions, prescription history, frequency, and dosage when you complete patient forms for the dentist. Even if you’re an existing patient, keep your dentist informed about any new medications you take. A record of your prescriptions will help Dr. Lacy determine which type of sedation medication to use for your dental appointment. If necessary, she will consult with the prescribing doctor.

Sedation dentists are trained to safely administer medication before your dental appointment. Don’t try to do it yourself. If you’re interested in learning about your options, call us to request an appointment, or complete our Request an Appointment form.

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

Five Ways to Find Affordable Dentistry and Get Quality Results

Photo for affordable dentistry, which families often need. Pictured are a mother holding her daughter in her left arm and a shopping bag on her right arm, and a father holding his son in his right arm, and a map in his left hand. They are outdoors in downtown area.

I feel like the term “affordable dentist” is only used to attract patients. I wasn’t able to get dental insurance until September of last year and I have quite a few issues with my teeth, and so does my oldest son. The first dental office I visited for my own care proposed a treatment plan with an estimated cost of $10,000.

I’m a working father with a family of five, and I don’t have that kind of money. So I thanked them for their time and began searching for another dentist who is less expensive.

So far, the dentists I’ve found who advertise low-cost dentistry don’t have great reviews. And, the dentists I’ve had consultations with have way too many patients in the waiting area. Considering the amount of dental work I need, I want to develop a real relationship with the dentist and feel comfortable.

How can I find a dentist who actually does good work and doesn’t have unusually high fees?

Thanks. Jonah

Jonah,

Your situation is very common, but a change in perspective can help.

It may seem that services offered by dentists are all the same whether you need a dental crown, deep cleaning, or more extensive work. However, each dentist has a unique approach.

When Affordable Dentistry Is Cheap in Quality

From the dentist’s perspective, ways to reduce costs are limited. Some options include:

  • Acquiring a large amount of patients but limiting the time spent with each of them
  • Using cheaper materials
  • Controlling the payroll budget by having a smaller or less-experienced team
  • Limiting amenities available in the office.

Each of the above factors would affect your experience or outcome as a patient. Sacrificing quality to cut costs is not beneficial for you, so it’s often best to avoid offices that use those options solely to save money.

Ways to Find a Quality Affordable Dentist

  1. Find an office that will provide dental care in phases based on your budget.
  2. Explore financing options, either through an in-house program offered by the dental office or a financing company like CareCredit.
  3. If you don’t have a dental insurance plan, consider getting one. Consider obtaining a secondary insurance plan too. It’s possible to get a PPO plan for $40-50 per month, but be aware of wait periods for pre-existing conditions.
  4. Review the dentist’s credentials and experience—specifically in the areas that you need care. And look for an online smile gallery of photos of the dentist’s work.
  5. Carefully check patient reviews online.
  6. Begin by addressing the dental issue that has the highest priority. Your dentist will explain the order of priority. The longer you let an issue go untreated, the more expensive it will become to treat.
  7. Speak with the dental office about how your insurance benefits work, and ask for help determining if there are ways to maximize your benefits.

A great office will help you find ways to make dental care affordable, even if your care is completed a little at a time.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Miranda Lacy, a Plano dentist who makes quality care more affordable.

What Should You Know about Cheap Dental Crowns?

Last November, I was happy to find a dentist who made it affordable for me to get a badly need root canal and crown. The root canal went find, but the crown looks horrible. It’s difficult for me to settle with the crown because it’s on my front tooth. Despite 3 attempts, my dentist can’t seem to provide me with a crown that matches my natural tooth. Both of us are frustrated. None of my immediate family members have every received a crown, and I’m uncomfortable asking my friends if they have one. I am wondering if this is a normal experience to have so much difficult matching a crown to natural teeth. Thanks. Ying Yue

Ying Yue,

It’s good that you’re questioning the color match for your crown. Out of frustration, many patients just accept the mismatch and try to manage with the disappointment. Unfortunately, issues often occur when fees for dental care are unusually low.

The High Cost of Cheap Dentistry

A crown on a front tooth should perfectly match your adjacent teeth. Otherwise, the restored tooth will be noticeable and detract from your smile. Although a dental restoration might be affordable, if it doesn’t look natural, it can affect your self-confidence and how you express yourself through your smile. And it can cost even more money in the long term.

Natural-Looking Crowns Are Possible

Unfortunately, your experience is common because it requires time, effort, and skill to provide a front-tooth crown that perfectly matches your natural teeth. Several factors are involved.

  • Skill and artistic talent of the dentist – A cosmetic dentist understands how porcelain can be manipulated to match your natural teeth. He or she also has advanced training in the art of cosmetic dentistry. Dental schools don’t teach much about how to provide restorations that capture variations in tooth color and translucency. Cosmetic dentists also have artistic inclination and can ensure a crown reflects the characteristics of your teeth.
  • Dentist and laboratory tech relationship – A cosmetic dentist uses a highly skilled laboratory technician with whom the dentist regularly communicates. Tooth color and characteristics are provided to ensure your crown perfectly matches your natural teeth.
  • High-quality photography – Dental photographs that are taken with advanced camera equipment correctly capture the shade and shape of your teeth. A dental shade tab is held next to your natural teeth and photographed. The dentist’s ceramist will use the photograph to match the crown with your teeth. If the ceramist provides a crown that isn’t a perfect match, the crown is placed over your tooth and another photograph is taken to show the difference in color between the crown and your natural teeth. The ceramist will use the photo to craft a new crown that matches. A typical family dentist doesn’t have advanced photography equipment to capture the details required for a lifelike crown.
  • Try-ins – Before a crown is permanently bonded to your tooth, several try-ins might be required to ensure a perfect match.

Although a dentist who has unusually low fees for a dental crown can provide you with an affordable restoration, the results might not look natural—as you have experienced.

As the before-and-after photos show, it is possible to place a crown and achieve a beautiful match to your natural teeth.

Before-and-after photos of porcelain crowns, which are available from Plano, TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.

What Are Your Options?

  • Do nothing – You can choose to live with your dental crown as it is.
  • Speak with your dentist – You can speak with your dentist about your dissatisfaction and your desire to get a second opinion.
  • Choose a cosmetic dentist – Seek a dentist with advanced training in cosmetic dentistry. Check the dentist’s website, or ask about his or her training. Ask to see before-and-after pictures of dental crowns—on front teeth—for actual patients of the dentist. Some patients schedule consultations with two different cosmetic dentists and compare the recommendations.
  • Choose quality over cost – Although you sought an affordable price for a dental crown, the results are costing more time and money. As you look for a cosmetic dentist to correct the flawed work, consider choosing quality over cost. There are ways to make your dental care affordable without sacrificing quality. Speak with your new dentist about payment plans or financing.

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

Will Crest Whitening Strips Help a Child’s Gray Tooth?

My daughter is in gymnastics. 5 weeks ago she had a serious collision with a teammate that included a blow to her mouth. She complained about her teeth hurting, but none of them are loose. One of her teeth started turning gray. Our pediatric dentist said that we shouldn’t worry about it because it’s a primary tooth. My daughter is in school and very self-conscious about her gray tooth. Although the dentist isn’t concerned, my daughter is. Can I use Crest whitening strips to lighten her tooth a bit? Thanks. Fallon

Fallon – Most causes of stains in teeth are from the outside in. Over time smoking, eating, drinking coffee or dark beverages create stains on our teeth. The stains can become imbedded in teeth. Teeth whitening can remove them.

Before Using Whitening Strips on Your Child’s Teeth

  • Effectiveness of whitening strips – Whitening strips are about ¼ the strength of professional whitening from a dentist. Even deeply embedded stains from external sources are difficult to remove with whitening strips. In your daughter’s cause, the stain is coming from damage within the tooth. Whitening strips won’t help.
  • When there is internal damage – The color of your daughter’s tooth indicates internal damage.  Skilled cosmetic dentists are able to provide internal whitening treatment. The process is complex and generally not recommended for children. If the damage was to a permanent tooth, the discoloration would be a lingering issue and internal bleaching might be an option.
  • Whitening can create problems – You didn’t mention that the tooth is causing your daughter any pain or discomfort, which is good. Bleaching, particularly when it’s not supervised by a dentist, should only be applied to healthy teeth. The gel can irritate tooth nerves and cause sensitivity to heat or cold. It’s best to let the tooth remain as it is. In a year or two, it will be replaced with a permanent tooth.

Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

If your daughter begins to feel discomfort in the tooth, schedule an appointment with her pediatric dentist. The tooth might require a pulpotomy, which is similar to root canal treatment for adults. Whenever possible, primary teeth should be preserved as a placeholder for permanent teeth and to guide them into the correct position.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Miranda Lacy of Plano, TX. Dr. Lacy offers free teeth whitening to her patients who maintain regular cleaning and exam appointments.

Lidocaine allergy scare at the dentist. What now?

Sedation dentistry can help calm a patient before an appointment. Often, past negative experiences are a trigger, including those like the one described below where a patient had a reaction to local anesthetic.

It’s weird how a person’s body changes over time. Prior to 3 years ago, I had very few allergies or sensitivities. Now I am gluten sensitive and sensitive to nuts. I have not been that concerned about food allergies, because there are so many other things that I can eat. My concern comes from a dental visit earlier this month. I had a nagging toothache that came from damaged pulp in my tooth due to an impact on the left side of my face. The dentist gave me a painless injection of lidocaine. Within 10 minutes my gums were burning and itching like crazy, and I got chills. She said that it looked like I was having an allergic reaction, and I was. My dentist was nice and calm and gave me something to counteract the reaction. She wasn’t able to start the root canal. The tooth still hurts, but now I’m nervous. I know my dentist won’t give me lidocaine again, but now my anxiety level is high. What if I can’t get numb? She tells me that she can safely get me numb, but I’m concerned. What do I do now? Katia

Katia,

We are sorry to hear about your reaction to lidocaine. It’s good that your dentist quickly resolved this issue. Lidocaine is in the amide group of local anesthetics. Other types of anesthetic in this class include:

  • Mepivacaine
  • Bupivacaine
  • Ropivacaine

Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Head and shoulders photo of a man and woman lying in a field of flowers, for information on sedation dentistry from Plano TX dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Sedation dentistry helps you relax

Sedation dentistry can help you relax in advance of your dental appointment. But now that you and your dentist know that you’re allergic to lidocaine, what can be done? Your dentist knows to provide a different class of anesthetic. Patients who cannot tolerate amides often do well with local anesthetics in the ester group.

What you can do

  • Be certain to record your history on future medical or dental history forms that you complete.
  • Speak with your dentist about your concerns about anesthetic, as well as the types of sedation she offers to help you remain calm.
  • If your dentist doesn’t offer sedation dentistry, search for a dentist who is able to provide it.

Nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation (anti-anxiety medication in pill form), or both are offered by many dentists. You can be confident that the right level of sedation will help you relax and continue to have positive dental experiences.

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

Unfairly Disqualified from Free Teeth Whitening Offer

I think I’ve been scammed. At my new dentist’s office, I was told that as a new patient, I qualified for a free teeth whitening offer. That wasn’t the only reason I chose the dentist, but it was certainly a motivating factor. I’m in the military – active duty – and I was deployed for 16 months. Obviously, I could not make it to the dentist for my regular appointments while on assignment. When I returned to the dentist, I asked for my free whitening gel. I was told I no longer qualify because I didn’t come in for my cleanings. That’s crazy. Is there any logical reason for them to do this, or are they just being difficult? Thanks. Kristin

Kristin,

It’s very unfortunate your dental office has chosen not to honor their agreement to give you free teeth whitening. Many dental offices use free whitening to attract new patients and help you keep preventive appointments.

What’s More Important than Free Teeth Whitening?

Photo of upper and lower teeth whitening trays in a blue case; for information on teeth alignment from the office Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.
Teeth whitening trays

Your oral health is a priority over aesthetics, including free whitening. If you have cavities, gum disease, or other issues, it’s not a good idea to focus on the appearance of your teeth while letting your oral health suffer. Your oral health needs to be restored first.

Depending on the severity of the issues with your teeth, there may be exceptions. For example, if you only need a filling or other restorative work, the whitening should be completed first so restorative material can be selected to match the lighter shade of your teeth.

If your oral health is good, you’ve received a recent dental cleaning, and your original whitening trays still fit, your dental office should be willing to resume your free whitening privileges. Unfortunately, if they refuse to do so, there is little that can be done about it. However, you may want to speak with the dentist directly to explain why you were not available to keep your cleaning appointments. He or she might agree to provide you with free teeth whitening.

This blog is sponsored by Dr. Miranda Lacy. Get details on Dr. Lacy’s offer for free teeth whitening in Plano.