Archives for February 2021

Why is my dentist pushing veneers for tetracycline stains if I can’t afford it?

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For the past 15 years, I’ve had dental bonding for tetracycline stains. The bonding is beginning to wear and look dull. My dentist of four years is pushing porcelain veneers, but I cannot afford them. I’ve told him several times that I cannot afford veneers. I can barely afford to get the bonding redone. I do not know if there are any new dental products or techniques that work well but are less expensive than dental bonding for tetracycline stains. I cannot rely on my dentist to tell me about all my options. Are there alternatives to veneers or bonding? Thank you. Lynn from MO

Lynn,

Tetracycline deposits in the dentin of your teeth if you take the antibiotic as a child while your teeth are still developing. Dark gray or brown spots develop inside the teeth show through to outside of your teeth and detract from your smile.

It is risky for a general dentist to conceal tetracycline stains. You need a dentist with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry.

What If You Cannot Afford Porcelain Veneers for Tetracycline Stains?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Visit an advanced cosmetic dentist to discuss alternatives to veneers

If you cannot afford porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains, your options are dental bonding or teeth whitening—but only from an advanced, preferably accredited cosmetic dentist. Don’t try whitening your teeth yourself. You can make them look worse.

  • Teeth whitening – A cosmetic dentist can take impressions of your teeth for custom bleaching trays. The dentist can provide you with the most potent bleaching gel you can tolerate without making your teeth sensitive. Bleach your teeth nightly for two months. Although your teeth will not look as good as porcelain veneers or dental bonding, they will look much better.
  • Dental bonding – An advanced cosmetic dentist can remove your existing bonding and apply new bonding to your teeth. But to do it correctly will be expensive. And if you maintain the bonding properly over the years, it can become more expensive than porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years—or a lifetime.
  • Combination of whitening and bonding – A cosmetic dentist may recommend treating your teeth with a combination of teeth whitening and dental bonding.

Schedule a consultation for tetracycline stains

Look for an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area to discuss treatment options for tetracycline stains. Ask to see patient photos of cases like yours. The dentist may offer payment plans or financing to make treatment more affordable.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

My painful dental implant and bone graft failed

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My dentist has placed hundreds of dental implants in the past 15 years. I know friends and two family members who received implants from him with no problem. Before doing my implant, my dentist told me that I would need a bone graft first. After healing, he placed the bone graft. But I was in so much pain, he removed it and said the bone was not built up enough, so I could not get an implant. Now my dentist recommends a bridge. I do not want a dental bridge. Although my dentist has placed many implants, I wonder if I should switch to a specialist. Is it worth it, or am I wasting time and money? Thank you. Dylan

Dylan,

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your implant site for an accurate diagnosis, we doubt that a dentist with advanced implant training would have the same problems as your dentist. It sounds like your dentist is trying to give you a solution that he can confidently complete.

How much pain should dental implants cause?

With dental implants, you will not feel pain during surgery. Afterward, most patients feel mild pain and discomfort that is temporary and mild.

  • During – Before implant surgery, your dentist will sedate you, and local anesthesia will numb the implant site. You will not feel pain during surgery.
  • After – Initial pain after dental implant surgery is normal, but it peaks in a few days and continues to improve. And you will take anti-inflammatory and pain medication to minimize the pain.

But bone grafting can be complex. Although your dentist placed hundreds of implants, bone grafting might be challenging for him—or maybe he doesn’t have much experience with grafting. Unfortunately for you as the patient, a dentist exploring new skills like bone grafting may have difficulty with a case.

On a positive note, your dentist could have left the implant in place and let it develop complications before removing it, so his choice to remove it was wise and considerate.

A dental bridge instead of an implant?

Diagram of the phases of a dental implant for a comparison to a partial denture.

Advanced implant dentists understand bone grafting and implant surgery

You have decided to get a dental implant—not a dental bridge as your dentist has offered. Although a dental bridge is an acceptable form of tooth replacement, if you want the implant, go for it. We recommend that you schedule a consultation with a dentist with advanced implantology training. You can ask your dentist to transfer copies of your x-rays and CT scans or take copies with you. The potential new dentist will explain your treatment options and how they will complete the bone graft and place the implant.

Best wishes on your next experience with dental implants. Take time to check the implant dentist’s credentials first.

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

My permanent teeth grew behind the primary ones

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Three of my upper adult teeth grew behind my primary teeth. It has been this way for years.  I’m 24 years old, and now that I have employment and dental coverage, maybe I can afford to get this corrected. Are braces enough, or will I need something more complex? I guess that I will need extractions, too (?) Thank you. Morgan from TN

Morgan,

Although Dr. Brooksher would need to examine your teeth for an accurate diagnosis, your description sounds like orthodontics can correct the issue.

When Adult Teeth Grown Behind Primary Teeth

When adult teeth grow behind primary teeth, a dentist or orthodontist will extract the primary teeth. If your teeth are crowded overall, your dentist may recommend removing some permanent teeth to make room for proper alignment.

When a Primary Tooth Will Not Come Out

If a permanent tooth appears but the primary tooth will not automatically come out, a dentist may remove it. Removing the primary tooth makes room for the permanent one and helps it develop in the correct position. If you would still need orthodontic treatment in the future, removing the tooth will simplify treatment with braces.

Upper lateral incisor

Diagram of the phases of a dental implant for a comparison to a partial denture.

After braces, a dental implant can replace a missing primary tooth

Upper canine teeth often displace lateral incisors. After orthodontic treatment, a dentist may recommend dental implants to replace the missing lateral incisors.

Lower premolar

If you have a congenitally missing, lower premolar, your dentist may choose to keep the primary tooth if its position is good and it does not interfere with your bit. The dentist will watch the tooth and maintain it with fillings or other treatment as needed.

Depending on each patient’s case, after orthodontic treatment, a dentist might recommend a dental implant to fill in the space of a missing tooth.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS, of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.