Archives for April 2019

How Can I Get My Medical Insurance to Cover My Implants?

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Hi there,

I would like to get implants to replace my upper teeth. I have advanced perio disease but go in every six months for scaling and root planing. I think dental implants will help me more than something removable — I tried one of those and it made me gag. However, I don’t have dental insurance, only medical. If it’s considered a medical condition that affects my daily life, could my implant be covered? How much would an implant be without insurance?

Thank you,

Bruno, from Des Moines, Iowa

 

Hi there Bruno,

Unfortunately, medical insurance will not cover this. While your teeth do affect your general health, medical insurance has a clause preventing it from covering dental issues. Otherwise, everything would be covered. If you are injured in an accident — such as a broken tooth from falling down the stairs — then your medical insurance will cover the repair.

If a removable device made you gag, then going with an implant is a good idea. Removable devices, such as partial dentures, cover the roof of your mouth, and can cause problems. Dental implants have no extra pieces, so they feel more natural.

For estimates on how much implants cost without insurance, you will need to contact local affordable cosmetic dentists. Calling a few offices for quotes will give you a better idea of cost.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge dental implant provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Is $100,000 for a Smile Makeover Normal?

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Hello there,

I am trying to find a new cosmetic dentist after a bad experience. I went to see a highly-reviewed cosmetic dentist in my area for a second opinion. He said I needed a full-mouth restoration to fix my bite, which would run me between $50,000-100,000. I thought I just needed a few crowns on my upper teeth. I would rather get a new car for that price! I’m not sure exactly what he planned to do, but my gums and teeth are in good health, so I didn’t think I needed all this work. I can’t afford this smile makeover.

-Charlie from Washington, D.C.

 

Hello Charlie,

The prices you were quoted is on the high end, even for a smile makeover by an expert cosmetic dentist. You should go see another recommended cosmetic dentist in your area to compare prices.

Even if your bite is off, you may not need a full-mouth restoration to fix it. Your dentist may be suggesting an ideal course of treatment, but you need a more practical approach. You can work out costs with an affordable dentist.

Fees are not indicative of quality for a cosmetic dentist. Look at reviews and awards for dentists in your area. You should be able to find a quality dentist willing to personalize a smile makeover treatment plan for you.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge smile makeover provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

Lackluster Smile Makeover After Just 2 Months?

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Hi,

I hope you can help me. I recently had extensive cosmetic work on all my upper teeth. My restorative dental work was an expensive undertaking, so I want to take care of my teeth, so they’ll last a long time. I’ve been brushing and rinsing with over-the-counter products. However, after two months of this, my bright, white veneers have become noticeably less shiny. I even tried restoring their brightness with baking soda, but that had no effect. Did my toothpaste or mouthwash do this to my smile? Was it too abrasive, or was I just overdoing it? I made another appointment with my cosmetic dentist, is there anything she can do? I was very happy with the whiteness of my smile makeover, so I hope I can get it back.

Thank you,

TJ, from Hippo, Kentucky.

 

Hi TJ,

A smile makeover can involve dental implants, porcelain crowns, or porcelain veneers. No matter what you had done in your mouth, it would involve ceramic or porcelain, both of which is stronger than your natural tooth enamel. Smile makeovers are designed to stand up to the repeated wear-and-tear of brushing, and last 10-20 years with proper care. If your mouthwash had acidulated fluoride in it, that could cause the porcelain to dull, but over-the-counter products don’t have that. Be sure to let any dental hygienists know about your restorative dental work before they clean your teeth; the Prophy Jet tool they use can wear down the glaze on porcelain veneers and dull their shine.

The only way brushing and rinsing can cause your smile makeover to dull is if it were made from composite, rather than porcelain in the first place. Unfortunately, composite is much softer than your tooth’s natural structure. Anything from an abrasive toothpaste to mouthwash with alcohol in it can weaken composite, making it dull and susceptible to scratching. Talk to your cosmetic dentist about your concerns at your next appointment, and in the meantime, stop rinsing with any alcohol-based mouthwashes.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge smile makeover provider, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher. Please note that Dr. Brooksher is a general dentist who has had additional training in restorative and cosmetic dentistry.