16th Dental Care's Blog

Can’t afford treatment

writeradmin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:33:35 +0000

I need some dental work done, but don’t have any dental insurance. Plus I’m on a very tight budget. Do you know how to find a dentist who will work with me financially?

Terrance, – Illinois

Terrance,

I’d start by looking for dentist’s who advertise for affordable dentistry. That usually means they are willing to work with you, either by phased treatments or payment plans. Beware though to not just go for the cheapest dentist. If you sacrifice quality for cost, it will probably end up costing you more than if you just got the job done correctly, though more expensively, the first time.

This blog is brought to you by Yuma Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Deathly afraid of dentists

writeradmin — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 17:27:27 +0000

I’ve been afraid of dentists since my childhood. My mother only took me when there was a serious issue, so I’ve only experience horrible pain at the dentist’s office. I have so much dental work that needs done I am too embarrassed to smile. Are there dentists who deal with fearful patients? I don’t know what else to do.

Bethany from Ohio

Bethany,

Your situation is not uncommon. There are many people who suffer from dental anxiety. If I were in your place, I would look for a dentist in your area who does sedation dentistry. This will give you a pain free dental experience and relax you simultaneously. After a few successful dental appointments you might even find your fear will begin to subside.

There are varying levels of sedation. You can get everything from nitrous oxide all the way to IV sedation. Start by doing a google search in your area for sedation dentists, then look at their websites to see if you think they may be a good fit for you.

This blog is brought to you by Yuma dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Can you get a rash from a filling?

writeradmin — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:43:45 +0000

I have a black filling on a back tooth, which I recently broke. I now have a rash on the outside of my face, it is a round circle and it very itchy. When I broke my tooth, some of my filling came out. Could I be having an allergic reaction to that? I’m going to have a crown put on the broken tooth, but I have to get a filling on another tooth at the same time and don’t want to chance another reaction.

Stacey A.- Philadelphia

Stacey,

When you say black filling, are you referring to a silver amalgam filling? Sometimes as they become corroded they start looking black. These old amalgam fillings are mostly made of mercury and silver, with some other metals thrown into the mix. I don’t think your rash is from this filling. Generally, when someone is having an allergic reaction to the metals in amalgam fillings it is confined to inside their mouth. The symptoms you are describing don’t seem to match. It is possible you are having an allergic reaction to the latex used in the gloves. Do you know if you have a latex allergy? Another possibility is, and I only say this because you described it as a circle, you could have come in contact with ringworm.

When you get your other tooth filled, I suggest you get composite fillings. Any mercury-free dentist, can place composite fillings. They have many advantages to them and will help strengthen your tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Yuma dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Veneers and whitening

writeradmin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:11:11 +0000

I want to get porcelain veneers, but I can’t afford to get all my teeth done. The ones that embarrass me the most are the four front ones on the top. The others are OK, but I want them to kind of match the veneers I get, which had better be a lot whiter than my teeth currently are. What do you recommend?

Desiree J.- Kansas City

Desiree,

I recommend that you get teeth whitening done on all your teeth. It is not a terribly expensive procedure. There are even some dentists who offer free teeth whitening to new patients. Then you can get veneers placed on the front four teeth you mentioned.

Be sure you do the whitening first. This way your dentist can match the porcelain veneers to your new white teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Yuma emergency dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

Can I get porcelain veneers when I have cavities?

writeradmin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:39:47 +0000

I want to get some porcelain veneers. Can i do that if I have cavities on my teeth? Also, can the veneers fix a gap in my front teeth?

Jennifer R.- Minnesota

Jennifer,

You can get porcelain veneers if you have cavities, but you will want to get that dental work done first. I would suggest you get mercury-free composite fillings. Not only are they better for your teeth, but they’re made of a tooth colored material, so they’ll blend with your natural teeth so well, that no one will be able to tell what is filling and what is tooth.

To answer your second question, yes, veneers can fix a gap in your teeth. However, if that is the only thing bothering you about your teeth, depending on the size of the gap, you might want to consider dental bonding. It can close up small gaps and is a more conservative treatment.

This blog is brought to you by Yuma dentist Dr. Matt Roper.

I need straight teeth, fast!

goodtooth — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 04:18:39 +0000

I really want to straighten my teeth and I don’t have a lot of time. I’m planning to be married in less than a year and I want to have an absolutely stunning smile for my wedding. My teeth are crowded and crooked. When I talked with a local orthodontist, he told me that it would take two years for my teeth to be straightened with braces. Do you know of a faster way to straight teeth?

- Linda in Wisconsin

Linda,

The answer is yes. There are two great ways that you can get a beautiful, straight, white smile in only a matter of months. First off, you need to consult with an expert cosmetic dentist instead of an orthodontist.

The first option is Invisalign invisible braces. This method can straighten your teeth in as quick as six to nine months, depending on how crowded your teeth are. Seldom does this treatment take longer than a year.

Or if you want something even faster, you can get porcelain veneers. Veneers don’t actually straighten your teeth, they give the appearance of beautiful, straight, white teeth. They actually are bonded over your existing teeth and can be lined up perfectly. But it is important to work with an excellent cosmetic dentist for porcelain veneers. Even though many dentists think they do a nice job with veneers, a new smile design truly is a work of art. You need to find a dentist that is passionate about creating beautiful smiles.

Another nice selling point about Invisalign is that even if your teeth aren’t perfectly straight when your wedding day comes around, I’m sure they will look much better than they do now. You can remove the clear plastic aligners for the ceremony, photographs, and any other events that you want to. And then you simply snap them back in place to continue with treatment. They are comfortable and convenient.

Again, it would be a good idea to meet with an expert cosmetic dentist that also does Invisalign. They would be able to give you the right recommendations for your specific case. And a cosmetic dentist that is experienced in both procedures is the way to go.

Congratulations on your wedding!

This post is sponsored by Yuma dentist 16th Street Dental.

Ten teeth extractions at once

goodtooth — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:07:15 +0000

I went in for a dentist appointment the other day and my dentist said I needed to undergo surgery to have 10 of my teeth extracted. I know my teeth are in really bad shape, but I’m wondering if this is too much to have done at once. Four of the 10 teeth are wisdom teeth. Does this sound dangerous? I’m also worried about it being extremely painful.

I’m 26 years old and am in good physical health, it’s just my teeth that are a mess. Any insight you could give me would be great.

- Gary in Kentucky

Gary,

Actually the answer to your question is no, 10 teeth is not too many teeth to have extracted during one surgery. In fact, it takes just as long to heal from one tooth extraction, so the healing time for 10 may not be as difficult if you have them all done at once. You would be miserable if you did 10 separate tooth extraction appointments.

It’s not the surgery itself that is the problem. Your anxiety level would be more of an issue and how much Novocain can be used.

If you are scared of the dentist or extremely anxious about an appointment like this, you may have some difficulty getting numb. The more relaxed you are, the better the effect of the Novocain.

The amount of Novocain required isn’t really an issue for your bottom jaw. This is because your entire jaw can be numbed in two injections. But on top, every tooth would require an injection. So it may become an issue because your dentist cannot exceed the maximum safe dosage level of this local anesthetic.

Sedation dentistry may be the way to go for an appointment like this. With conscious sedation, you can reduce the amount of Novocain that is required and the dentist can do more during the appointment. Oral sedation simply involves taking a pill before your appointment. It is safe, effective, and many patients say that don’t even remember the appointment because you are in a relaxed and sleepy state.

I hope this has answered your question.

This post is sponsored by Yuma dentist 16th Street Dental.

My dentures hurt

goodtooth — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:55:20 +0000

Have you heard of anything that can fix my lower jaw bone? It seems to be moving forward and shrinking in height. My denture doesn’t fit the way it used to on the bottom. My lip is irritated and I have huge blisters and I have to take my teeth out to eat. I am in pain. Is there anything that can be done to help my situation?

- Lawrence from Kansas

Lawrence,

What happens when you no longer have teeth is a condition that is called facial collapse where your jawbone shrinks. Over time it will become increasingly difficult to even wear a denture at all. When the bone is no longer needed to support teeth, it is resorbed to be used in other places of the body. So when your jawbone has shrunk you will notice that it gets sharper and can become quite painful. From what you have described, it sounds like this is what you are experiencing now.

Really the only solution is to have the bone rebuilt with bone grafting. This will increase the bone so that you will be able to have dental implants placed. Implants are an excellent way to prevent facial collapse. The bone will allow your denture to be anchored into your jawbone to stabilize it.

It sounds like you need to find an experienced implant dentist that is used to treating patients that already have facial collapse. One credential that you can look for is if the dentist is a member or fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Having this recognition means that the dentist is an expert.

I hope this information is helpful to you as you search for a solution.

This post is sponsored by Yuma dentist 16th Street Dental.

What are my options to fix my missing tooth?

goodtooth — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:07:35 +0000

I have been missing a tooth since I was born. My tooth number seven never came in and tooth number ten is kind of deformed and pushed back from the rest of my teeth. I have had a dental flipper to fill the space of my missing tooth. And before that my dentist put braces on. I think it’s time for a more permanent fix. Do you know what my options are?

- Susan in Texas

Susan,

Assuming that the teeth that surround your missing tooth are in good shape, dental implants would be an excellent treatment. Implants function and look just like natural teeth. They are a permanent solution to replace a tooth and will prevent jawbone loss as you get older. Another option is a dental bridge. Although, one of the drawbacks with this treatment is that it puts a bit of a strain on the teeth surrounding the missing one. And if those teeth are healthy now, you probably don’t want to do anything that may compromise them.

In regard to the deformed tooth you mentioned, you could get a porcelain veneer or porcelain crown to fix the appearance of this tooth. Just make sure you seek the talents of a true cosmetic dentist for this kind of work.

Hopefully, this answered your questions.

This post is sponsored by Yuma dentist 16th Street Dental.

Is a tooth infection an emergency?

goodtooth — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:53:00 +0000

Do you think I need to visit an emergency dentist if I have a tooth infection that has been uncared for? I have been achy and have had a low-grade fever for awhile now. I really think this is due to an infection because my teeth are in bad shape. I seem to have many teeth that are exposed since the fillings have fallen out. Also, I have had some tooth abscesses. Do you think that my body is now being poisoned from how bad my teeth are?

- Geno in Wisconsin

Geno,

It is quite possible that the aches and fever you have described are from the problems with your teeth. A tooth infection can poison your system and present the symptoms you have explained. It’s time to get into the dentist so this doesn’t turn into an emergency situation.

Unfortunately, from what you have described of your dental health you may need to have your teeth extracted. That could present more problems down the road because you will have difficulty chewing and over time you may need to have your other teeth extracted. What happens when you are missing teeth is a bone loss condition called facial collapse. You may see many denture patients where their face appears sunken in and they appear older than they are. This is called facial collapse.

I hope the infection is not too serious. Good luck to you.

This post is sponsored by Yuma dentist 16th Street Dental.

Other links you may be interested in: sedation dentistry