All posts by AllSmiles

Affordable Dentistry

Need affordable options to replace 2 teeth

I have 2 lower teeth missing. The spaces are embarrassing. I to have a dentist fix my teeth but I don’t want to go into debt trying to do it. I just want to get a feel for what my options are before a dentist tries to sell me something I don’t need or can’t afford. Thank you. Lynn

Lynn – The least expensive way to replace a missing tooth is with a partial denture. An acrylic tooth that is bonded to a gum colored base is used. You can receive metal clasps to wrap around the adjacent teeth to keep the partial denture in place. A partial denture is removable.

The next option is a dental bridge. Each tooth on either side of the missing one is shaved enough to so that a dental crown will fit over it. The replacement tooth is suspended between the two crowns.

The most effective option, and also the most expensive option, is a dental implant. A titanium stem is surgically implanted in your jawbone, and when your gum heals around the jawbone, a crown is secured to it.

Depending on how well you take care of it, a partial denture can last several years and a dental bridge can last five to ten years. Although a dental implant costs more, it will last a lifetime.

Discuss your options with a dentist who is trained in cosmetic dentistry. A cosmetic dentist will give you the most natural-looking results possible, based on which treatment you choose. He or she will let you know how replacing your teeth can be made affordable for you.

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

Invisalign

Do you really have to wear Invisalign while you are asleep?

I want Invisalign and I am trying to find out as much about them as possible. I know you have to wear them all day, but do I really have to wear them while I am asleep? I really don’t like sleeping with anything in my mouth. Madison

Madison – Yes, Invisalign is worn while you are asleep. The aligners are removed when you eat and when you brush and floss your teeth.

Invisalign should be worn about 22 hours a day, if you remove them at night while you sleep, your teeth will slowly begin to shift back to their original position. Removing the Invisalign at night is an interruption of your treatment.

It may be helpful to think of Invisalign as invisible braces. Braces are not removed from your teeth while you sleep. Although you have the convenience of removing Invisalign when necessary, they otherwise need to stay in place to ensure that your treatment is successful.

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

Teeth whitening

Can teenagers get teeth whitening?

Some kids at school get their teeth whitened. It is becoming really popular especially with the cheerleaders. I want to get my teeth whitened but I am in middle school and my mom says I need to wait. Is there anything wrong with teenagers getting teeth whitening? – Ciera

Ciera – Teeth whitening is not recommended for teenagers under 16 years of age. Even when you are 16 years old, you need to have your teeth examined by a dentist to determine if teeth whitening will help or hurt your teeth.

When you are under 16 years old, the nerve in each tooth is larger than an adult’s tooth nerve. Whitening your teeth can irritate the tooth nerve and make it sensitive. You can feel a sharp tingling sensation in your teeth or pain in your teeth if you whiten them too soon in your teenage years.

It is best to wait to have your teeth whitened, and then only by a dentist who can monitor the progress and make any needed adjustments to the treatment.

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

Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Bridge

Dental bridge doesn’t fit and it’s getting worse

My dental bridge hasn’t fit right since I got it, and now it is pulling more and more away from my gums. It is getting to be increasingly noticeable. It is really uncomfortable, too. I got the bridge in 2011. Can it be fixed or will I need a new one? Thanks for your help. Mariama

Mariama – Your dental bridge needs to be examined by a cosmetic dentist. At times, the teeth that support the bridge can be worked on to give the bridge a better fit. Often, the dental bridge needs to be replaced.

We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to see an experienced cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentists have an artistic eye for giving you appealing restorations for your teeth that look completely natural. A cosmetic dentist won’t just provide you with a new bridge. He or she will listen to your concerns about your smile and use his or her talent to give you a bridge that fits well, matches your natural teeth, and enhances your smile.

Your corrected or new dental bridge will be carefully checked and adjusted before it is cemented. You will also have the opportunity to approve the look and feel of the bridge before it is permanently placed.

You may consider having a consultation with a few different cosmetic dentists before you decide who you want to restore your teeth.

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

General Dentistry

My jaw still hurts after I fell last month

I fell in late May. I fell mostly on my left shoulder but my face hit the ground a little too. My jaw was very sore when I fell, but it still hurts a little. It doesn’t hurt all of the time, but the pain can get intense. Could I have injured a tooth? Thanks Beth

Beth – You may have injured a tooth during your fall. But you may have even traumatized or fractured your jaw.

You need an examination and x-ray to determine the cause of your pain. Make an appointment with your dentist right away. If the problem is left untreated, it can worsen, eventually cause more pain, and be more difficult to treat.

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

Ceramic Crowns

Nervous about getting crown on front tooth

2 years ago I injured my front left tooth in an accident. The tooth didn’t appear to be damaged, but it is slowly turning darker. My dentist has made several attempts to whiten the tooth and do a root canal treatment but the color is off and it’s becoming increasingly noticeable. He told me that I can get a crown for the tooth but that scares me. One of my best friends has two crowns on her front teeth and they look horrible. Are there any other options that I should consider? Thanks. Doris

Doris – The look of a dental crown on any tooth depends on the skill and artistic talent of the dentist who provides it.

A cosmetic dentist who has skill in restoring teeth, along with an artistic approach, will ensure that your crown looks completely natural in every way. The crown will match the color and characteristics of your natural teeth so that people won’t be able to distinguish it from your natural teeth.

Find a few cosmetic dentists in your area. Ask to see pictures of completed work, including crowns. You can also ask questions about your concerns to help build your confidence in the dentist that you select for your crown. When you select an experienced cosmetic dentist, the results will be beautiful.

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

General Dentistry

I’m 24 years old with 4 baby teeth

I am 24 years old and I still have 4 baby teeth. 2 top teeth and 2 bottom ones. Am I ever going to get my permanent teeth? Natalia

Natalia – A definite answer to your question can only be determined by an exam and diagnostic studies. When primary teeth persist in adults, it is often the lower molar permanent teeth that fail to erupt.

There are several reasons that primary teeth don’t erupt. The most frequent reason is congenital. In other words, from birth, the permanent teeth were not present to succeed the primary teeth. The second reason is that the permanent teeth are impacted in the gums. The teeth may be incorrectly positioned, or there may not be enough space for them to erupt.

A dentist can perform the necessary studies to let you know what you can expect regarding your permanent teeth. Orthodontic or restorative treatment may be recommended.

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

Invisalign

Tomato sauce stained my Invisalign

I ate out 2 times in the past 2 days and both nights me and my coworkers went out for Italian food. I took my Invisalign out to eat and put them back in after. There was no sterile place for me to brush my teeth. We went out for drinks afterward dinner. Today I am noticing that my Invisalign is stained. I know it’s from the tomato sauce. Ugh! I just put the aligners in 4 days ago. Is there any way to get the stains out? It is so embarrassing because you can actually tell they are stained. – M.K.

M.K. – Invisalign® can be stained from certain foods and drinks. Foods like blueberries or tomato sauce create tough stains that are difficult to remove.

If you are not able to brush your teeth after a meal, it is important that you thoroughly rinse your mouth. Although it may not be so appealing, if you know that you won’t be able to clean your teeth and mouth properly after a meal, try to avoid foods and drinks that will stain your aligners.

If you have thoroughly rinsed your aligners and used the Invisalign cleaning system but the stains are still there, unfortunately, they will likely remain in your aligners.

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

Affordable Dentistry

How can I find a more affordable rate for dental care?

I need a few crowns and some other dental work and I got a quote that is almost $2000 dollars. This is not reasonable to me. How can I find a more affordable rate? Dean

Dean – You didn’t mention where you live, exactly how many crowns you need, and what other work needs to be completed, but the price you mentioned doesn’t necessary sound unreasonable, especially if it is being done by an expert cosmetic dentist.

Your location has an effect on the cost of dental care, just as the cost of food or gasoline varies from one part of the country to the next. If you want a second opinion, you can visit a cosmetic dentist for an exam and estimate.

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

Teeth whitening

Whitened teeth and they don’t match my crown

I have a 2 yr old crown that looks really good. There is nothing at all wrong with it. It looked like one of my own teeth until I whitened my teeth this month. I didn’t think about it before I did it. I found a good whitening kit online with professional strength whitening and my teeth are beautifully white but now the crown looks dull next to them. Can a dentist lighten the crown? – Cyndee

Cyndee – When teeth are whitened after a crown is received, the crown won’t match the teeth. If you had been able to speak with your dentist about the whitening, he or she would have helped you anticipate what to expect with your teeth whitening.

The color of a porcelain crown is stabilized and can’t be altered. But if you really want a crown to match your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can provide you with a new crown.

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