All posts by AllSmiles

Porcelain Crowns

Looking for an affordable dentist

I need to have two crowns on my back, left molars. I have been looking online for an affordable dentist and I found your site but I live 6 hours from your office. How can I find one? – Lottie

Lottie – In the search box for your web browser, enter the name of your city and the words “affordable dentist” (example: Plano affordable dentist).

Include the name of your city and the word “dentist” in every search. Then include words such as “financing,” “payment plans,” or “no dental insurance.” You will be able to find a dentist who explains the options for your treatment, some of which may be more affordable for you. Or a dentist may be able to do your work in phases. Many dentists offer no-interest financing or payment plans.

If you don’t see the details for financial arrangements on a dentist’s website, call his or her office for more information. Be sure to find a dentist with cosmetic dentistry training. You get natural-looking results that will make the investment in your smell worthwhile. Best wishes on your search.

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

Pediatric Dentistry

Dentist question for my son

I need to schedule my son’s first dental appointment. He will be 5 yrs old in October. I know I should have taken him sooner. I think my fear of the dentist has made me delay his first appointment. How do I prepare him for the appointment? – Melissa

Melissa – If you have already chosen the dentist for your son’s appointment, you can take your son to see the office and meet the staff. If your dentist is a family dentist who also treats children, take your son with you to your dental appointment so he can see your successful appointment. Don’t mention your fear of the dentist to your son. If you don’t have an appointment scheduled before your son will need his visit, stop by your dentist’s office to introduce your son to the staff.

Explain to your son that he is going to get his teeth checked and cleaned just as adults do. He will have healthy teeth and a nice smile.

If you are still deciding upon a dentist for your son and your own dentist treats children, both you and your son may be more comfortable there. If you haven’t made a decision on where your child where be treated, visit a few dental offices with your son to ensure you are both comfortable with the office environment and the staff.

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

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening for free?

LaSt week I saw a website that featured a few teeth whitening kits with 30 day free trials, but I can’t find the site again now. Can you tell me about free teeth whitening kits that really work? I found your site but I live in Odessa. Thanks Samantha

Samantha – Your request is common. The most effective free teeth-whitening you can get will come from a dentist. There are dentists, like Dr. Miranda Lacy who offer free take-home whitening treatment if you stay current with your dental exams and cleanings.

It is unlikely that free teeth-whitening kits you order online will be effective. You may get limited results, but they won’t compare to the professional-strength whitening gel that dentists provide.

You might try Internet searches for dentists with free teeth whitening. Include the name of your city or nearby cities in the search words you enter. If you can’t find free whitening from a dentist in your area, you will likely be able to find a dentist who can make the take-home kit affordable for you.

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

Comfort Dentistry

How can I get over my phobia from dentists?

i’ve had dental problems ever since i can remember.  in the past, several dentists made painful mistakes with my teeth…and i started to hate going to the dentist…and put off visiting them…and now my teeth are so bad I am ashamed to smile…what can help me get over my fear? Tab

Tab – Find a dentist who is concerned about your comfort. You will find websites for dentists who feature gentle dentistry or comfort dentistry.

These dentists and their staffs enjoy treating anxious patients, and they will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. If you are especially anxious, nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation can be used to calm you during your dental procedure.

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

Teeth whitening, Tooth-Colored Fillings

Will teeth whitening help my old fillings?

I not floss my teeth so I had to fillings in between my front teeth. They are the composite white ones but I’ve had them for about 8 yrs. They are now yellowing and you can see where the tooth where the dentist took out cleared out the teeth to put in the filling. I want to fix this look. Will teeth whitening lighten up the filling? – Carlise

Carlise – Teeth whitening will whiten your teeth, but it will not change the color of your old composite filling.

See an experienced cosmetic dentist. He or she will whiten your teeth first. After your teeth are the shade of white you want, the cosmetic dentist will mix composite to match the color of your natural teeth. The new fillings will blend in and won’t be noticeable.

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

Dental Implant

Dental implants for children?

My 11 year old daughter is missing 4 teeth. They aren’t going to come in. It’s genetic. I took her to an ortho and she said my daughter’s other teeth are crowded and she has an overbite and she will need braces. What does it cost for implants? Would she need to go back as she gets older to have it done again? – Brittany

 

Brittany – Your daughter’s orthodontic work should be completed first, and her jawbone growth should be completed before she receives dental implants.

Dental implants don’t move, so if teeth need to be repositioned with orthodontics, that treatment must be completed first. Otherwise, the dental implants can interfere with the orthodontic treatment and interfere with the growth of your daughter’s teeth.

Dental implants are placed when jawbone growth is complete. If they are placed prematurely, the growth of other teeth may be affected. As your daughter ages, her natural teeth would likely grow higher than the dental implants, and the implants would not look natural.

When your daughter reaches her late teens and her growth has stopped, you can find out if she is a candidate for dental implants. Until then, a cosmetic dentist will be able to provide her with a natural-looking tooth replacement for the missing teeth.

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

Teeth whitening

Free teeth whitening trials websites?

Hi. Do you know of any websites where I can get free teeth whitening trials with whitening that really works? Thanks. Sierra

Sierra – We are not aware of free teeth whitening websites. If the whitening is free from a website, it may not really be effective.

You can search for a dentist who offers free teeth whitening, though. Many dentists offer complimentary take-home teeth whitening if you keep your appointments with the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Teeth whitening from a dentist has many advantages: you know the whitening treatment will really brighten your smile, your dentist will monitor the progress, and you will have the dentist’s advice on how to get the best results from the whitening.

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

Comfort Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

How much does sedation dentistry usually cost?

I’m planning on getting a lot of dental work done this fall and I want it with sedation. I’ve heard that most insurance companies won’t pay for the sedation. How much does the sedation cost? – Simone

Simone – There are different types of sedation dentistry or comfort dentistry. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that you breathe in during treatment to help you relax.

Oral conscious sedation, the next level of sedation, involves taking a mild sedative in pill form. You will rest comfortably during treatment and you are unlikely to remember what happened during your appointment. Sedation medication can also be administered intravenously.

The cost of sedation depends, in part, on where in the U.S. the dentist is located, the type of sedation you receive, and the length of time it is needed for your dental procedure.

It is best to contact your dentist to find out the type of sedation used and an approximate cost. Contact your insurance provider to find out if any benefits for sedation dentistry are provided. If you will have out-of-pocket costs for sedation, your dentist may be able to make it affordable for you.

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

Emergency Dentist

My toothache is giving me earaches and headaches

My toothache is so terrible I’m getting earaches, headaches and now the teeth next to it are hurting. Is there anything I can do to decrease the pain? I feel like lying on my floor and crying. It hurts all day it is realy bad at night. –  Brenda

Brenda – Your tooth is no doubt infected. And from your description, it’s a serious tooth infection. You need to see your dentist or an emergency dentist immediately.

The dentist will relieve your pain and stop the infection from spreading. Call now. A dentist who accepts emergency patients will get you into the office before closing today.

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

Teeth whitening

What can I do to make my teeth really white if my dentist doesn’t do teeth whitening?

I use whitening strips and toothpaste but they are not really helping much. I have noticed a little difference. I was thinking getting them done professionally but my dentist doesn’t do it. Can you recommend anything?  – Jen

Jen – Although your dentist doesn’t offer teeth whitening, if you want your teeth professionally whitened, you can get it done from another dentist.

If you are happy with your current dentist, you can explain the situation to a dentist who does provide teeth whitening. He or she will provide you with an in-office or a take-home whitening treatment. Getting your teeth professionally whitened will give you the best results.

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