How can I find an affordable dentist to do some cosmetic work for me? I had gaps between my front teeth so about 7 years ago, I got porcelain veneers to cover the gaps. I wasn’t sold on them when I first got them, but now they are really bothering me. I want them off and I want to get bonding instead. Kaila
Kaila
It’s unfortunate that you haven’t liked your porcelain veneers from the start. If veneers aren’t placed by an expert cosmetic dentist, some patients dislike the look so much that want them removed.
Can an Affordable Dentist Remove Porcelain Veneers?
Whether or not porcelain veneers can be removed can only be determined when your dentist begins to remove them. If your teeth were not prepared, or shaved, before the veneers were bonded to them, then the veneers can be removed. Your teeth will need to be polished to restore their appearance. If the teeth were shaved, your veneers can only be replaced with new ones. In either case, you want the expertise of a skilled cosmetic dentist. You can speak with the dentist about how the change can be made affordable for you.
What about Direct Bonding?
Small- to medium-sized gaps can be filled with direct bonding. Again, find an experienced cosmetic dentist to either have new veneers replaced or to receive the bonding. Most dentists lack the artistic inclination to give you beautiful cosmetic results.
You’re local to our office, which is in Plano, so you should know that Dr. Lacy is a cosmetic dentist and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her experience in porcelain veneers and dental bonding will give you a beautiful smile. She makes dentistry affordable by providing financing and payment plans.
In May I got a new partial denture and I think I’m going to have to go back under sedation to have it fixed. A metal clasp on the left side of my mouth is putting a lot of pressure on the next tooth. I thought that maybe it would loosen with time but it’s quite uncomfortable. Can this clasp be adjusted? If it can be, should I have to pay out of pocket for sedation dentistry? I’ve used all of my insurance allowance for sedation. I just can’t get through a dental appointment without it. If this is an issue my dentist is responsible for, shouldn’t she cover fixing the partial and waive the fee for sedation? – Patrick T.
Patrick,
Although partial dentures are made at a dental lab, most general dentists are able to loosen a clasp on the denture. Partial dentures are usually uncomfortable when you first receive them. The tight clasp might not necessarily be your dentist’s fault. Ask her to explain the reason for the discomfort.
Call your dentist to let her know your concern. If you’ve had the partial denture for longer than a month, she will want to promptly check it. A clasp that is too tight on a tooth for a long period can potentially damage the tooth.
Ask Your Dentist about Sedation
You should speak with your dentist about your need for sedation and ask if she is willing to waive the fee. You can also contact your insurance company, explain the circumstances, and ask for special consideration for any insurance claim that will be submitted for sedation fees.
Options for Replacing Missing Teeth
Dental implants are an option for permanently replacing teeth without the adjustment period or the discomfort of partial dentures. But dental implants are a more expensive option, and your dentist must determine if you are a candidate for them. They have several advantages over a partial denture:
Surgically implanted in your jawbone
Stimulate bone growth and prevent shrinkage
Look and feel like your natural teeth
Don’t need to be secured to an adjacent tooth
More cost-effective in the long-term because they are permanent
If your budget permits, you can consider dental implants as an alternative in the future when you need a new partial denture.
We hope you have a successful outcome with adjusting your partial denture and getting assistance with the cost of sedation dentistry.
I’ve been looking at some alternatives for free teeth whitening, but I really want it to be natural. My teeth aren’t that bad, but I would love them to be a few shades brighter. One of the things I keep reading about is the use of lemons and oranges. Supposedly, if you use the essential oils or rub the peels on your teeth regularly, they work as a whitening agent. I figure it can’t hurt, so I might as well try it. Any idea if there is science behind this or how it works? Also, is it safe for long-term use or will the acid harm my teeth?
Thanks. TJ
TJ
Although lemons are listed on some natural health sites as a way to whiten your teeth, it’s a really bad idea that can permanently damage your teeth. Let’s explain.
Teeth Can Be Discolored for Many Reasons
Tooth discoloration can be intrinsic or extrinsic. An intrinsic discoloration comes from within the tooth. For example, certain medications can make a tooth change color from the inside out. If a tooth dies, it may become gray. If your enamel becomes thin, perhaps due to age, brushing too hard, acid wear, or taking certain medications, the color of the dentin below may show through. Genetic factors can also have an effect. You may get extrinsic staining from certain habits, including drinking cola, coffee, tea, wine, and juice. Smoking is also a big culprit.
External Stains Don’t Usually Collect on Clean Teeth
Our teeth naturally build up plaque. This is actually a biofilm that forms when bacteria adheres to your teeth. If you’ve ever wadded in a river and felt a slippery rock, it was due to a type of biofilm. The biofilm on your teeth includes the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, which brushing twice daily is recommended. It is also important to get regular professional cleanings. When your teeth clean and smooth, the coloring in the foods you eat or drinks you consume are less likely to cling to your teeth. When your teeth build up biofilm, stains adhere. Your primary defense against staining is to keep your teeth clean. It might require limiting certain foods or drinks that are bad for your teeth.
What about Citrus Fruits for Teeth Whitening?
Citrus fruits can brighten your teeth because the acid in them kills bacteria. Apple cider vinegar is also routinely touted as a cure for discolored teeth, but it contains acetic acid.
Acids are Bad News for Your Enamel
Eventually, the acid will weaken your tooth enamel wear it down over time. As you lose enamel, the discoloration will likely worsen and your teeth can become sensitive and more prone to decay. Worse yet, once the enamel is gone, it will not regrow. Your dentist can help with some of the issues that occur, but the enamel will be permanently affected.
Use Professional Whitening Systems
Free teeth whitening should be dentist supervised
There are many natural “cures” for stained teeth, but they are often dangerous. Before you try do-it-yourself methods, talk to your dentist about what he or she recommends, or use a professional system that has been tested and is safe.
I’m left feeling a bit disenchanted after a visit to a so-called “affordable dentist.” I had a small cavity developing. I’ve known it was there for some time, but my finances didn’t allow me to take care of it right away. The tooth started to bother me a little and I knew I needed to get the cavity taken care of. Anyway, I already knew the size and scope of the job to be done, so I called around and got pricing on it. One guy bragged about his low rates and he did indeed undercut the others by about $100. That’s no small thing for me. I’m on a fixed income. In any case, I went to the guy to have the filling done. He told me I don’t qualify for the price they quoted me on the phone. He says I need a crown, which now puts me hundreds of dollars over my budget.
I feel like I’ve been misled. I’m considering going for a second opinion, but I also don’t want to pay for another exam and x-rays if what he’s saying is legit. Is there a way to know if he’s being upfront about costs without paying someone else to confirm it?
Thanks,
Jake
Dear Jake,
It’s very hard to find a quality dentist. Oftentimes, when you find someone bragging about how their rates are ultra-low and they undercut others by a significant amount, there’s a reason behind it… and not usually a good one. Because you went into it with the mindset of choosing the cheapest dentist, it’s not surprising that you also don’t trust him to be honest and upfront. We all like a bargain, but when it comes to healthcare, the two rarely mix. He may be being honest and giving you a fair assessment. The fact that your tooth hurts now and it didn’t before suggests that the cavity has progressed, so it’s entirely possible the treatment you were initially prescribed is no longer enough to repair your tooth. That said, there are criteria you can use to find an affordable dentist.
How to Find an Affordable Dentist
Custom Plans: Search for someone who listens to you and offers options. There are often several solutions at varying price points.
Payment Plans: Some offer payment plans. It’s rare to find a place that does in-house financing, but you may find a dentist who accepts CareCredit, which typically has no finance charges for a period of time.
Discounts: It sounds like you’re working without insurance and paying for services on your own. Some offices will extend discounts to those who pay in cash.
If You Don’t Trust Your Dentist, Get a Second Opinion
If you’re like most people, you’ll probably have doubts and want to confirm the diagnosis. To make it more affordable, ask for a copy of your x-ray and take it with you to your consultation, so you can save money.
If you truly trust your dentist, you’ll know you’re getting the best care possible, and that the dentist is doing everything he or she can to help keep your smile healthy and stay within your budget.
I’ve been putting off getting my teeth whitened because of the pain. I have two friends that got their teeth whitened and both of them said that it hurt. I am wondering if I can find a dentist who does sleep dentistry with teeth whitening. Thanks. Ethan
Ethan– Sedation dentistry, often referred to as sleep dentistry, is used during restorative dentistry. When you receive procedures such as a root canal treatment or a dental crown, sedation may be administered.
Generally, the process of whitening your teeth is not painful. The sensitivity in your teeth is felt after the whitening process, so sedation dentistry won’t help. Most of the sensitivity in your teeth is felt 24 to 48 hours after the whitening treatment. But if you need help relaxing, your dentist will provide some form of sedation to help.
Did your friends receive teeth whitening from a dentist, or did they use a do-it-yourself kit? There are several factors about teeth whitening that, when completed at home, can create sensitivity in your teeth.
You can have a consultation with a dentist for teeth whitening. Let him or her know your concerns about sensitivity in your teeth after whitening. A dentist can prescribe heavily fluoridated mouthwash or toothpaste that you can use for a period in advance of your appointment. It will help reduce the sensitivity after whitening.
I got free teeth whitening when I started at a new dentist in February of this year. It was take-home whitening, but I thought it was probably a higher grade because I received custom whitening trays. I followed the instructions precisely for about two weeks. I was really happy with it at first because it looked like my teeth really were getting brighter. However, now when I look at them, they don’t look quite as bright. I’m really disappointed because I thought it should last much longer. It seems all too coincidental that the color seems changed back right before my next dental visit. Is there any chance they actually did something to it that would make it wear off so I need another dental appointment? Or could it be just a lower quality gel and that’s why the free whitening deal was offered? Curious indeed.
-Ali
Dear Ali, Free teeth whitening should be dentist supervised to last
More than likely, the free whitening you receive was a professional-strength gel. While it’s true that most dentists only provide whitening if you return for your regular visits, it’s almost impossible to predict how bright your teeth will get and how long they’ll stay that way.
Your Teeth Will Stain Faster if You…
Drink coffee
Drink tea
Drink red wine
Smoke
Eat dark sauces (soy, tomato, curry, etc.)
Consuming these items in moderation probably won’t cause an issue, especially if you’re diligent with brushing. But if you consume them a lot, your teeth will stain faster.
You Can Minimize Staining By…
Avoiding acidic foods. Acid wears down your enamel, making it easier for your teeth to stain.
Brushing well. Brush after each meal or at least two to three times per day.
Not sipping beverages. Prolonged sipping on anything other than water isn’t good for your teeth. Coffee and tea drinkers will experience more teeth stains that those who don’t drink these beverages. Cola and even sports drinks are acidic and contain sugar. They feed bacteria, which leads to decay. If you drink anything other than water, finish it all at once to minimize contact and follow it by rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth.
Drinking through straws. When you drink through a straw, the beverage won’t come into contact with the fronts of your teeth. It’s not a cure-all, but it can minimize the potential for staining.
Not smoking. Enough said.
You Can Make Your Teeth Look Whiter By…
Getting a tan or using a sunless tanner. No joke. The darker your skin is, the whiter your teeth will look.
Wearing red lipstick. Most red shades work well, but you’ll want to avoid dark hues because they tend to make teeth look yellow or brown. Nude shades can also be problematic, though pinks, berry colors, and those with purple undertones can make your teeth look whiter.
Keeping water with you. While water won’t magically whiten your teeth, you’ll be more likely to drink it, thus replacing other drinks and getting them off your teeth quicker when you do indulge.
Visiting your dentist regularly. A professional cleaning will remove buildup that can make teeth look dull, yellow, or brown.
Touch up with your free teeth whitening kit. Your teeth will eventually go back to their original darker shade, but how quickly it will happen depends on your habits and genetics. You don’t need to wait until they darken to their original color and do the full treatment again. Instead, just use your kit for a couple days at a time to revive your preferred shade.
Can an affordable dentist do anything about wisdom teeth? My wisdom teeth didn’t bother me when I was in my teens. Now I’m 33 years old and they are starting to hurt. I don’t do well at dentist’s office. I’m sure I have a phobia and I’ve been dentist hopping for the past 3 years. I’ve never let the same dentist clean my teeth for than twice. It seems like they usually find something wrong with my teeth, so I just move on to the next person so I won’t feel any pressure. My wisdom teeth are starting to concern me because the gums around both bottom teeth are started to swell and they do hurt. The top wisdom teeth don’t hurt every day, but I feel pain several times a week. Is this something an affordable dentist can? I have a new job and I have to wait 6 months for dental coverage. Also, how much pain should I expect? Jada
Jada – If you have swollen gums around your wisdom teeth and they hurt, you should see a dentist right away. It sounds as if your wisdom teeth are infected.
It’s not that the dentist will be able to extract the teeth, but he or she will examine your teeth, temporarily relieve the pain, and let you know your treatment options. If your wisdom teeth are impacted, or if a difficult removal is anticipated, you will be referred to an oral surgeon.
Ask about Options for Affordable Dental Care
When you call the office, you can ask about financial arrangements and how the dentist can make treatment affordable for you. Ask the same questions if you are referred to an oral surgeon. Payment plans and financing are often available.
Reasons to Visit a Dentist for Painful Wisdom Teeth
It’s important to have your painful wisdom teeth examined by an emergency dentist right away. There are several reasons:
They can cause other teeth to shift.
As teeth shift, it can make it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene.
Additional infections can occur and lead to root canal treatment for those teeth
Oral surgeons are skilled at keeping pain and discomfort to a minimum with sedation dentistry. Most patients don’t feel any pain during the extraction process. Discomfort after oral surgery is managed with prescribed painkillers. Be certain to follow post-care instructions.
Before you visit an emergency dentist, take some time to check his or her credentials and experience.
How important is teeth whitening for dating and your social life? A 2015 survey conducted in behalf of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry concluded that our smile is one feature of our appearance that can defy age. It can be the secret to our attractiveness.
White teeth can make a lasting first impression
The majority of survey participants said that an investment in their smile is more important than an investment in weight loss, hair enhancement, or enhancements to other facial features.
What does it all mean? That your smile is important to other people. If you are dating, or trying to find someone to date, don’t take your smile for granted. A clean, bright smile can go a long way in attracting a date—or even just friends. In addition to teeth whitening from your dentist, what else can you do to make a great first impression?
Enhance Your Smile with Teeth Whitening and More
Floss between your teeth daily – Flossing not only makes your teeth look better, it helps prevent gum disease, and can help freshen your breath.
Brush your teeth twice daily – This helps keep teeth clean and bright.
Whiten your teeth – Professional whitening from a dentist gives you the best results. If you can’t afford professional whitening, whitening toothpastes will help control surface stains. Over-the-counter whitening strips will help. Brushing your teeth with baking soda, or rubbing the inside of banana peel (which contains magnesium and potassium) can help reduce surface stains on our teeth.
Cosmetic dental treatment – Dental bonding is an affordable way to restore chipped teeth, or to reshape teeth. If you need to restore a broken down tooth, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns can help. Orthodontic treatment can align your teeth, which is not only better for your smile, but also for your overall oral health.
Keep your breath fresh – Regular flossing, brushing, and mouthwash should keep your breath fresh. If you’ve tried them all, but are still struggling with bad breath, speak with your dentist about it. Gum disease, tooth decay, medication, or a medical condition may be causing the problem. Your dentist can help you identify the issue.
Your smile can make a first impression and leave a lasting impression. Don’t take it for granted.
This post is sponsored by Plano TX female dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. She offers free teeth whitening to patients who keep their regularly schedule appointments for a dental cleaning and exam.
I’m afraid that my wife may be using sedation dentistry as a crutch. I don’t really blame her for wanting to have the meds, but it throws us into a bit of chaos every time she needs to have dental work done. Without going too much into detail, her childhood dentist was pretty brutal. He left her with an intense fear of the dentist. Her teeth looked fine when I met her, but as the years went by, they deteriorated quite a bit and she refused to see a dentist. We found a sedation dentist to help her and I will say that she has been a godsend. We made it through the series of appointments necessary to get her smiling again and life is good.
However, every time something comes up now- even if it’s a tiny cavity being filled- she asks for oral conscious sedation (OCS). We’ve got a good relationship with this doctor and my wife seems to trust her, but it’s hard for me to take the day off work just because my wife needs a filling. Plus, our insurance doesn’t cover it, so you know who’s paying for it- me. I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but it seems like this has gone on long enough. At some point, she should be able to go without the meds, right? At what point can I safely interrupt this trend and tell her to be mature about this?
Thank you,
Raymond
Dear Raymond,
This is a particularly interesting question with no definitive answer. However, we can explain what might be happening.
Any Kind of Trauma Can Leave Lasting Emotional Scars
We don’t know what happened specifically with your wife, but a trauma of any kind can have a lasting impact on a person. For example, a child who is ridiculed in school may begin to think that a school is a bad place where he or she does not belong. The child will associate learning with ridicule and have trouble excelling. A child who is beaten by a parent learns to avoid their parent and often avoids relationships later in life as a result. Some children never learn how to form close bonds with others.
A person who witnesses a violent event, such as a shooting, may also develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They can become hypervigilant and anxious and be unable to return to the place where the event happened. Or they might be constantly on alert waiting for it to happen again. These people can often muddle through life without treating the underlying problem, but their quality of life diminishes. For example, the bullied child may never finish school. The abused child may never have a healthy relationship. The crime witness may withdraw from the things he or she loves.
The Right Way to Address Trauma Varies
The field of mental health care is filled with many different methods to help people overcome trauma so they can live healthy and full lives. Arguably, the most well-known is talk therapy. There are also other avenues a licensed mental/ behavioral healthcare professional might try, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), coaching, and teaching the person healthy coping mechanisms. We don’t know the level of distress you wife feels or how deep it goes, so it’s difficult to say what type of therapy she needs.
A Sedation Dentist Can Help Reduce Anxiety, Now and Forever
For some, dental anxiety doesn’t go away without some kind of care from a mental health specialist. Choosing OCS or a similar variant is a crutch in some cases, but if it empowers them to get the care they need, it’s worthwhile. For others, the extra care afforded by a sedation dentist lets them build positive memories with their dental care team. In time, with lots of positive experiences, your wife’s prior experiences may diminish so much that she sees the treatment as a positive and enjoyable thing. However, all this is probably happening in her subconscious. Even if she trusts her doctor and knows the office is safe, she’s already been conditioned to be fearful. There is no timeline or formula that flips a switch and allows her to not have anxiety.
In short, there is no right time to take control and insist your wife has dental appointments without sedation. She’s not doing anything wrong and if she’s anxious, she’s likely unable to control it. While there is no harm in having an open discussion with her about how she feels about treatment without the medication, it’s best not to insist on it. If anxiety seeps into other areas of her life, it may be worthwhile for her to talk to a mental health professional and start dealing with some of the underlying causes. If it’s purely dental anxiety, please respect it. Your support will make a world of difference in her confidence and willingness to continue with getting treatment.
Last year I received dentures from an affordable dentist. I am worried now because they won’t stay in even though I use adhesive. I think my bone is shrinking in addition to the fact that the dentures are low quality. I am certain that soon I won’t be able to wear dentures. This has already created some very embarrassing moment for me that I have tried to laugh off or joke about when I really wanted to cry. What can I do? I’m afraid that I won’t be able to afford dental implants, which is a huge problem if the dentures won’t stay in. Is there another way? Thanks. Connie
An affordable dentist can provide snap-on dentures
Connie – We sympathize with you. When all of your teeth are missing, eventually the jawbone shrinks, because the body senses that the jawbone is no longer needed to support your teeth. The minerals from the jawbone are resorbed and used elsewhere in your body. You are experiencing jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse. At some point, as you have already discerned, you will no longer be able to wear dentures. But you have some options.
The first step is bone grafting to rebuild the missing jawbone. After you receive bone grafting and your jawbone heals, dental implants can be placed.
The more implants you have, the more stable the dentures will be, and they will function better. Dental implants help prevent jawbone shrinkage and facial collapse.
You can also receive complete removable dentures again. But be aware that in another twenty years or so, you will experience the same problem with facial collapse.
You can schedule consultations with at least two dentists who are experienced with dentures and dental implants. You want quality implant fixtures and quality placement of the implants to prevent complications that will cost even more money to correct. Ask each dentist how dental implants and dentures can be made affordable for you.
