All posts by AllSmiles

Teeth whitening

Why Isn’t My Free Teeth Whitening Kit Working?

I’m feeling really burned by a free tooth whitening offer I found online. The deal was that if I only paid shipping, this company would send me a free trial of their whitening pen. I figured they were able to give the free teeth whitening kits out because people would order the full-sized version when it worked, so I paid almost $20 for shipping. I followed the instructions, but nothing is happening. I e-mailed the company a week ago, but they aren’t responding back, and now I’m pretty sure I got scammed. I guess it’s not so much the money, but the fact that I trusted them. Is there something more I should be doing with the kit that might improve its effectiveness? Do I have any recourse with the company? Thanks, Marcus

Marcus,

It’s tough to say if you should be doing something different  with your free teeth-whitening kit, because you haven’t provided the name of the company or the product, nor have you said how you’re using it. Generally speaking, anything you can get over-the-counter is weak. Sometimes, it’s totally ineffective. If you aren’t getting it from a trusted supplier, you can’t tell if it is safe and effective.

Depending on where the company is based, you may have no real recourse. If it’s not in the United States, your money is probably gone. You can try to dispute the charge with your credit card company, but this company may still get away with it because you only paid for the shipping. The product was free, and the shipping wasn’t the problem, so they may have found a way against scam controls. The only way to find out if you can have the charge erased is to call your credit card company and ask to file a complaint.

How to Get Legit Free Tooth Whitening

Go Local: Only get free teeth-whitening products from a local and trusted source. You can follow up easily if there’s a problem.

Choose a Professional: Over-the-counter products tend to be weak. You have to use them a lot to see any difference. If you want rapid results, you need professional-strength products, only available through medical and dental professionals.

Talk to Your Dentist: Many dentists offer a free teeth-whitening program to new patients. Ask if your dentist’s office does something similar. While it’s designed to attract new patients, the office may consider giving you the package anyway, just to keep you happy. If that isn’t an option, they may have a low-cost solution that will give you the results you need in a safe and effective way.

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

 

Sedation Dentistry, Wisdom Teeth

Can I refuse sedation dentistry with wisdom teeth removal?

I need to have all of my wisdom teeth pulled and I don’t want sedation. I haven’t seen a dentist recently, but I know it’s my wisdom teeth that are hurting and the pain is getting worse. Before I go in I want to know if sedation is necessary or just something the dentist will try to convince me to get. I don’t like people doing anything to me medically or otherwise without me being fully aware of what’s going on. I am not afraid of the procedure. I just want to be full aware and awake. Can you tell me if sedation is standard for wisdom teeth removal or can I go without it? Thanks Brooklynn

Brooklynn – It’s good that you recognize that dental care is needed for your wisdom teeth. Whether or not you need sedation dentistry depends on the condition of the teeth and their roots. Wisdom teeth are especially painful when they are impacted.

Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a variety of oral health issues, including those listed below:

  • Damage neighboring teeth
  • Become infected, and in some cases form a cyst that affects nerves, other teeth, your jaw, and facial muscles
  • Become difficult to clean and promote bacteria and gum disease
  • Bacteria can enter your bloodstream and affect your organs, including your heart and kidneys

You will receive an anesthesia evaluation. Local anesthesia will definitely be administered. Your dentist or oral surgeon is concerned about your comfort during wisdom teeth removal. If the removal of the teeth is anticipated to be complex or time consuming, sedation dentistry might be recommended.

There are various levels of sedation:

  • Nitrous oxide
  • Oral conscious sedation
  • IV sedation dentistry

Before you decline sedation, ensure you understand what to expect during the procedure. Ask the dentist about what you will be able to hear, see, and feel more intensely than you would without sedation. It’s your right as a patient to accept or decline care, but sedation dentistry can make the removal of impacted wisdom teeth a much more pleasant experience.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Dr. Lacy’s office is convenient to Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Frisco, Garland, Highland Park, and Little Elm.

Affordable Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers

How can I find an affordable dentist to replace 8 porcelain veneers?

How can I find an affordable dentist to replace 8 porcelain veneers I receive May of last year? Within 3 months of getting the veneers, one of them fell off. My dentist bonded it back on. Since that time 2 more veneers fell off. When I was brushing my teeth last Wednesday, I noticed that one of the veneers that my dentist bonded back on is now loose. This is ridiculous and I want to switch to another dentist to get my veneers completely redone. If I could go back to my natural teeth I would do so. I feel stuck and ripped off by my dentist. Of course I didn’t budget for porcelain veneer mistakes, so now I need to find an affordable dentist to get new veneers. Of course I’m concerned about quality. I already paid a lot of money for these veneers and the quality is poor. Hopefully you can guide me in finding quality affordable veneers. – Sabrina

Sabrina – We’re sorry to hear about your bad experience with porcelain veneers. Quality cosmetic dentistry is a rare art, and when patients request affordable dentistry for cosmetic purposes, it concerns us.

A skilled cosmetic dentist can make it more affordable for you to get your veneers replaced, but it won’t mean that the restorations will be inexpensive. We caution patients who focus on cost alone. Affordability is best met through payment plans or financing to make new porcelain veneers easier on your budget. If you insist on the lowest cost, even if you get new veneers, there could be a sacrifice in quality, and they too can fall off or be easily damaged.

A skilled cosmetic dentist has the tools required to properly bond your porcelain veneers. He or she also knows the bonding techniques required to secure your veneers. They should never fall off.

Select two or three experienced cosmetic dentists with whom you can schedule consultations. Have your veneers examined. It’s possible that you don’t need new veneers. Sometimes poorly bonded veneers can be removed, cleaned, and correctly bonded to your teeth.

  • Compare the options and costs for each consulting dentist.
  • Ask to see before-and-after pictures of porcelain veneers each dentist has placed.
  • Ask about options for payment plans or financing.
  • Don’t automatically select the dentist with the lowest cost. Verify his or her training and qualifications.

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

 

 

Teeth whitening

I got free teeth whitening online but my dentist won’t help me with it

After I found out how much my dentist charges for teeth whitening, I started looking around to see what I could find that was much cheaper. I found a website where you can complete surveys and after survey #20 you could pick a gift. Free teeth whitening was one of the gifts so I chose that. The whitening kit came about 6 weeks ago. The instructions have a disclaimer about not whitening your teeth without a dentist’s supervision. What’s the point of that? Anyway I’ve had a dental cleaning appointment since then and told my dentist about the free teeth whitening. She said she doesn’t recommend it and she will not supervise it for me because she doesn’t know the source. I think it’s unfair. If I can’t afford whitening from her, what’s wrong with getting free teeth whitening? It seems like she isn’t interested in helping me improve my smile unless I’m getting the work done from her. Is it worth it to find another dentist who can work with me on this? – Shauna

Shauna,

Before you receive teeth whitening of any kind, there are several things you should know:

  • Are your teeth healthy enough? Your teeth should be clean and free of decay before they are whitened.
  • Is whitening the right option? Depending on the cause of the stains in your teeth, whitening them can make the stains more noticeable. In these cases, a dentist wouldn’t recommend it.
  • What bleaching gel is best for your teeth? The cause of your stains, the extent of them, and any sensitivity issues with your teeth help a dentist determine the type and the strength of bleaching gel you need.
  • You need bleaching trays. The teeth whitening gel should not be applied directly to your teeth. A minimal amount of gel should be placed in custom bleaching trays to keep the gel in contact with your teeth, but away from your gums. Excess gel can irritate your teeth and gums.
  • How long should you use the bleaching gel? It is possible to over-bleach your teeth. During the treatment period, bleaching gel should be used for a limited amount of time each day. With professional-strength bleaching gel, the length is usually about 30 minutes. After a two-week period, your dentist will check the progress of your treatment.
  • You need periodic touch-ups. Periodic touch-ups are needed to keep your teeth white. Usually, once or twice a year is enough. You will need to obtain additional bleaching gel for touch-ups.

Your dentist’s concerns are valid. Without being able to verify the source and the contents of the free teeth whitening gel, how can she predict the results? Of course, she would feel responsible for the outcome. Seriously consider your dentist’s concerns before you use the whitening gel. Any dentist would have the same concerns about bleaching gel from a questionable source.

The safest way to get your teeth whitened is with a dentist’s supervision. If whitening isn’t affordable through your dentist, you can consider switching to a dentist who offers free whitening for patients who stay current with dental cleaning and exam appointments.

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

Affordable Dentistry

Affordable dentist gave me bad implants

I’ve been looking for an affordable dentist but didn’t just want to pick a dentist without knowing anything about him/her.  So I scheduled consultations with 5 different dentists. The issue is replacing 2 teeth. I received recommendations for a partial denture, a bridge, and dental implants. I thought it interesting that the dentist who offered dental implants quoted a price that was the same price as a dental bridge from another dentist. I couldn’t figure out of the implants were no good or if the dental bridge was over-priced. After researching online I found that the affordable dentist who offered implants has been in practice 11 years. That made me feel comfortable. I accepted a payment plan for 2 implants and I regret the day I did. One implant fell out and the other is loose. This issue with the implants happened in May. It’s over a month later and my dentist is still trying to figure out if I need bone grafting. This is starting to scare me. So know I don’t know if I should just try to get a bridge and forget the whole thing or start all over and get consultations with 5 new dentists. The other issue is that I still need an affordable dentist. So please don’t advise me to go to a top dentist with a fancy office because I can’t afford that. Thank you. Shawna

Shawna – Although the affordable dentist you chose has been practicing dentistry for 11 years, it doesn’t mean that he has been placing dental implants for 11 years. And given the results of your implants, his training and credentials are questionable.

It’s rare for dental implants to fall out. It’s not clear if your dentist thinks you needed bone grafting before the implants were placed, or if he thinks you now need grafting to support a new implant. Osseointegration, the process of the jawbone fusing to the implant takes about six to nine months, so be patient with having your implants replaced.

Despite a dentist’s careful planning and placement of an implant, a patient’s body can still reject it. It’s impossible to predict how your body will react to the implants.

Without an examination and diagnostic studies, we can’t say if and how your dentist was at fault. If you feel comfortable returning to one of the four dentists with whom you had consultations, you should do so. Otherwise find an experienced implant dentist to examine the implants, discuss your options, and help resolve this issue.  You should be able to find a skilled, affordable dentist to help.

 

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

 

 

 

Oral Health, Sedation Dentistry

Will osteoporosis prevent me from getting sedation dentistry?

I have osteoporosis and I think sedation dentistry might help me get some issues with my teeth taken care of. I’m just concerned that sedation might make my condition worse. I have difficulty sitting for extended periods, so if sedation is going to keep me in the dental chair longer than I should be, that’s a concern too. The thought of falling from being drowsy also scares me. Do patients with osteoporosis get sedation dentistry? Is there anything I need to consider before I ask for it? Valeriya

Valeriya – As you know, osteoporosis decreases bone density and makes bones very fragile. It can affect your oral health.

Osteoporosis Affects Oral Health

The disease can affect any bone in your body, including your jawbone. It creates oral health risks including:

  • Decreased jawbone density and affecting the stability of your teeth.
  • Triggering periodontal (gum) disease
  • Increased risk of needing dentures

Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Your oral health needs more attention than usual. Sedation dentistry can help you get the dental care you need. Before you receive sedation, your dentist will determine if you’re a candidate for it.

Your medical and prescription history will be thoroughly reviewed. Your dentist may want to collaborate with your medical doctors to take necessary precautions and to determine which form of anti-anxiety medication is best for your needs. Most patients are candidates for sedation dentistry even if they have other medical conditions.

Speak with your dentist about your concerns with sitting in the chair too long. He or she will schedule multiple visits, if necessary, to ensure your comfort.

What can you expect after receiving sedation dentistry? It’s important to closely follow after care instructions to prevent injury.

  • You will still be drowsy.
  • The dental office should have a wheel chair ready to take you to the car. You won’t have to worry about falling and breaking fragile bones.
  • You will have arranged for transportation home, and that person or another responsible adult should stay with you for the rest of the day.
  • Rest in bed or on the sofa, and limit your activity around the house. Someone should assist you with necessary tasks to prevent you from falling.

Your dentist will work with your and your doctors to limit the effects of osteoporosis on your oral health. With proper screening and planning, sedation dentistry can help.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Dr. Lacy’s office is convenient to Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Frisco, Garland, Highland Park, and Little Elm.

 

Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Bonding, Teeth whitening

Free teeth whitening kit discolored my dental bonding

I won a free teeth whitening kit. I thought it was a good prize for answering some survey questions because I’ve had whitening in the past, and it was pretty expensive.  I followed the directions and used the whitening for 2 weeks. I have bonding on 3 teeth and the whitening discolored the bonding. So now you can tell that there is bonding on those teeth. I’m wondering if it was the brand of whitening that caused this problem. Can a dentist lighten the bonding or will it have to be redone now? Thanks. Emily

Emily – Free teeth whitening is safe when it’s offered by your dentist. Supervision from your dentist allows him or her to do the following:

  • Examine your natural teeth and any restorative work on them to determine if bleaching gel will help or harm your teeth
  • Monitor the progress of teeth whitening treatment
  • Make adjustments in the strength of the bleaching gel, or in the treatment time needed

Why Teeth Whitening Won’t Brighten Bonding

Although bleaching your teeth can have dramatic results, it won’t whiten your bonding. Here’s why:

  • Unlike natural teeth, dental bonding is nonporous.
  • Bleaching gel is designed to penetrate pores, but that’s not possible with bonding.
  • As your natural teeth get whiter, your dental bonding won’t change. Whiter teeth make bonding look as if it’s getting darker.

As bonding ages, it attracts stains. A cosmetic dentist can replace the bonding with a color and translucence that matches your natural teeth.

Your cosmetic dentist will:

  • Choose dental composite that matches your whitened teeth
  • Use dental tools to roughen the old bonding
  • Apply and shape the new composite
  • Cure the composite with a special light
  • Further shape and polish the bonding

It’s best to wait until you’ve finished your whitening treatment before having your dental bonding replaced. It ensures the bonding will match your whitened teeth. But rather than use free teeth whitening with questionable ingredients, only use whitening gel you receive from your dentist or that is approved by your dentist. If the free bleaching gel damages your teeth, the cost of restoring them will be greater than the cost of getting whitening treatments from your dentist.

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

 

Teeth whitening

I think free teeth whitening is making my teeth brittle

I got 6 tubes of free teeth whitening from a friend and I think it’s making my teeth brittle. I had some pistachios over the weekend and while I was eating them a tiny piece of my tooth cracked. Pistachios aren’t that hard to chip a tooth. Also I’m noticing that my teeth seem to be more sensitive than normal. I’m afraid that I got cheap whitening from my friend. She got it online and her teeth seem to be okay, but maybe my teeth are more sensitive than hers. I’ve been using the whitening 5 days a week for the past 3 ½ months and my teeth are weaker but not much whiter. Is there something I can do to strengthen my teeth? I don’t want to go to my dentist because she offered me teeth whitening, but hers cost $400. I’m embarrassed to go into the office and tell her that I got the gel free and it’s messing up my teeth. Thanks. Kelsey

Kelsey – We strongly urge you to stop using the free teeth whitening right away. Although you might not want to go to your dentist, you do need to see a dentist.

Without examining the tubes of the gel, it’s hard to say what you received. But if it is professional-strength bleaching gel, using it five times a week for a three and a half months is excessive and can definitely damage your teeth.

Signs and Symptoms of Excessive Teeth Whitening

If you whiten your teeth too much, your teeth will tell the story. What are the signs that the free teeth whitening—or any other type of whitening—has damaged your teeth?

  • Increased sensitivity – Your teeth can become increasingly sensitive to hot and cold drinks or foods. Some people already have sensitive teeth, and over-bleaching them can make it worse.
  • Changes in tooth color – Your teeth can lose their whiteness and become transparent or blotchy.
  • Irritated gums – Gums can bleed easily and become sensitive or inflamed.
  • Brittle teeth – Excessive bleaching can dehydrate your teeth and make them brittle.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination and treatment recommendations. If you are completely hesitant about returning to your current dentist, find an experienced cosmetic dentist, and schedule an appointment for an exam. Don’t delay.

Although it’s not safe to whiten your teeth at all for now, there are dentists who offer free teeth whitening for patients who keep their regularly schedule appointments for dental cleanings and exams. You’ll get positive, predictable results.

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

Sedation Dentistry

After every sedation dentistry appointment I’m so sick

Sedation dentistry has been the best thing for me as far as the dental appointment is concerned. As long as I can see a dentist and get through the appointment without having a panic attack I’m good. The problem is not what happens at the dentist but what happens when I get home. Last week was my 3rd sedation dentistry appointment and when I got home, I started vomiting and I got dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. The next day I’m just fine but after this last episode I started wondering what if this happens every time and I choke or something and I can’t get to the phone to call 911. I try to remember to keep my phone in a pocket at all times, but what if I can’t talk or something that? What do patients do to prevent sedation dentistry from making them so sick that they might not be able to call for help? Shem

Shem,

It’s good to know that sedation dentistry is helping you maintain good oral health. But we are concerned that it’s making you so sick afterward. What you are experiencing isn’t normal, so don’t continue to endure the results afterward just because you can make it through your dental appointments.

Is Sedation Dentistry Making You Sick?

Tell your dentist

Have you told your dentist about your episodes? Your nausea and vomiting might be the result of the anti-anxiety medication. Be sure to let your dentist know the effect the medication is having on you. Your dentist can try a different type of medication, or perhaps you just need a lower lose.

Don’t stay home alone

Another concern is that you’re alone after your appointment. Although you might get a ride home after your dental appointment, an adult should remain with you for the rest of the day, if not overnight.

If you need assistance, or if you get sick as you have described, an adult who is present can help you or call 911 for you. Never stay alone after a sedation dentistry appointment.

Don’t get discouraged

Side effects can occur with just about any medication. Don’t get discouraged. You’re not the first patient to experience side effects from medication. If necessary, your dentist will work with your medical doctor or a pharmacist to find the right anti-anxiety medication for you.

Be certain to contact your dentist about this issue before your next procedure.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy. Dr. Lacy’s office is convenient to Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Frisco, Garland, Highland Park, and Little Elm.

 

Affordable Dentistry, Gum Disease

Is this affordable dentist the reason I still have gum disease?

After a lengthy 2 month search, I finally found an affordable dentist. After 3 years of going to this dentist I expected better results. She has been treating me for gum disease for more than a year and a half and I really don’t think my teeth or gums look better. Would I have seen improvement faster if I had chosen a dentist with higher fees? I get a deep teeth cleaning every 3 months and my teeth are almost as loose as they were a year and a half ago. Does getting an affordable dentist mean that I won’t get quality care, or am I being impatient? How long does it take to get gum disease under control? Thanks. Liz

Liz – Your frequent visits to the dentist for scaling and root planing to treat your periodontal disease means that you have a severe case that is beyond the expertise of your affordable dentist.

Bleeding, sore, and inflamed gums, along with infections are signs of gum disease. If gum tissue and teeth continue to separate, your teeth can completely loosen and fall out. After almost two years, if your periodontal disease is about the same, it might be time for you to see a specialist—a periodontist—with two years of post-graduate training in diagnosing and treating issues with your gums.

Do All Affordable Dentists Provide Sub-Standard Care?

The length of time that you’ve been treated isn’t necessarily because you have found an affordable dentist. A dentist with higher fees might also assume that he or she knows how to successfully treat a particular case of periodontal disease when a specialist is really needed. It’s your oral health, so you can ask to be referred to a specialist for a second opinion, or if your insurance allows it, schedule the appointment yourself.

The appearance of your teeth at this point is probably related to the health of your gums. After your gum disease is under control, a cosmetic dentist can work with you to improve the appearance of your smile. It’s crucial to get a specialist to accurately determine why your periodontal disease isn’t improving. He or she will establish a treatment plan that will help you keep as many natural teeth as possible and get back on the path of good oral health.

In the future, you can find an affordable dentist who has good experience and training in general and cosmetic dentistry, and who recognizes when you should be referred to a specialist.

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