Archives for April 2021

Looking for a cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers

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I am looking for an alternative to porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains on my teeth. I got prices for veneers on 8 upper teeth, the consistent quote I get is about $15,000 – 20,000. That would take a big chunk out of my savings, and I am not sure I want to do that. The stains are horrible, and the older I get, the more self-conscious I am about them. Someone suggested a university dental school. Is that a reasonable option? Any other cosmetic treatment that may work? Thanks. Nathan from

 

Nathan,

Thanks for your inquiry.

If you want to save money on porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains, it is best not to get veneers at all. Premier porcelain veneers are priced to reflect the quality of the veneers you will receive and the work of the cosmetic dentist.

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.

Porcelain veneers cover the fronts and sides of teeth to conceal tetracycline stains

It is demanding work for a cosmetic dentist to conceal tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers. If a dentist charges less than $1000-$1200 per tooth, you won’t get the results you want. High-quality veneers can last 20 years or longer if you take good care of them.

What About Dental Schools for Veneers?

Three reasons not to get porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains from a dental school:

  1. Dental schools teach techniques for fixing teeth—not the artistry required to produce beautiful results.
  2. If you go to a dental school, your teeth may be in the hands of a student doing their first porcelain veneers or tetracycline case.
  3. And their instructor may not be much help either.

What About Dental Bonding or Teeth Whitening?

Will dental bonding or teeth whitening improve tetracycline stain?

  • Teeth whitening – Only a skilled cosmetic dentist can use a high-strength whitening system to lighten your tetracycline stains. Although the results will not be as good as porcelain veneers, you can get whitening for a fraction of the cost.
  • Dental bonding – Applying dental bonding requires great skill and time from a cosmetic dentist. The necessary precision and application will cost more than porcelain veneers.

When You are Ready for Porcelain Veneers

When you are ready to get porcelain veneers to conceal tetracycline stains, we recommend that you find an accredited cosmetic dentist with accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Accreditation requires a cosmetic dentist to pass rigorous exams and present numerous successful cases that demonstrate the quality of their work.

Please do not leave your tetracycline-stained teeth in the hands of an inexperienced dentist.

Best wishes.

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

Are All-on-4 Implants Really My Only Option?

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Last month, I had a consultation with a dentist about stabilizing my dentures. They don’t have to be perfectly stable, but I do not want them sliding around anymore. The dentist recommends all on 4 implants. When he told me the cost, I told him that is way out of my budget, and I will have to explore my options. He quickly said that there are no other options because I’ve worn dentures too long. He said that his rate is among the best I will find. Is it possible that all on 4 could be the only way a patient could qualify for implant dentures? If so, I will forget about getting implants and accept my dentures as they are. Thank you. – Brett from TN

Brett,

Thank you for contacting our office.

You mentioned that you had a consultation with this dentist. Based on your description, it seems that you did not have an exam, CT scan, or any x-ray for the dentist to decide that All-on-4 implants are your only option. And that is puzzling. Be careful with this dentist.

If you have worn dentures for many years, you have some jawbone shrinkage. But an implant dentist can build up the bone with grafting to ensure the implants have plenty of support.

What Type of Implant Dentures Can You Receive?

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry clearly explains the types of dental implants available. But a dentist can define your treatment options only after these steps:

  • Reviewing your medical and dental histories
  • Examining your teeth and gums
  • Reviewing a CT scan

Affordable Implant Dentures

Diagram of snap-on dentures. Dental implants are in the lower jawbone, and a denture with attachments in the base is hovering above the gumline.

A snap-on denture is an affordable alternative to All-on-4

A snap-on denture or a denture retained with mini-implants is more affordable than the All-on-4 technique. Those affordable options use as few as two dental implants. Although more implants will improve a denture’s stability, your treatment costs will increase.

And not every patient qualifies for All-on-4. We recommend that you look for an implant dentist with extensive post-graduate training and schedule an appointment for an exam. The dentist will explain your treatment options. A conscientious dentist will discuss the pros and cons of each option but will not insist that you receive a specific type of treatment—or any treatment at all.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS, is a  Baton Rouge cosmetic  dentist and Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will help you determine what to look for in a dentist in your area.

Oral yeast infection after getting my new crown

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Before last fall, I had not been to a dentist in 3 years. I decided to do something about my crooked teeth, so I went to an Invisalign consultation. The dentist agreed that Invisalign would work for me, but she required a full exam to ensure my teeth were healthy. Not surprisingly, I had some tooth decay and needed fillings. An old crown was cracked, so my dentist told me that she needed to restore my teeth before I could get Invisalign treatment. After my dentist placed the temporary crown, my teeth were hyper-sensitive. Now that I received the permanent crown, my lips are chapped, the corners of my mouth are sore, my breath smells, and my saliva production is excessive. I have noted that sugar and gluten seem to make the symptoms work. I suspect that I have a yeast infection that will not go away, but I am skeptical about seeing this dentist again or trusting her for my Invisalign treatment. Could my dental crown be causing these issues? – Thank you. Craig from TN

Craig,

Thank you for submitting your inquiry to our office. You have many symptoms that likely have different causes but could be related to your dental treatment.

Oral Yeast Infection

Overgrowth of candida—a fungus that normally lives on our skin and in our bodies—can lead to yeast infection. An oral yeast infection can result from stress, antibiotics, diabetes, and dry mouth.

Excessive Saliva

Some causes of excess saliva include:

  • Allergies
  • Sinus infection
  • Heartburn
  • Certain medications
  • Difficulty swallowing due to a nervous system disorder
  • Oral infection

Sores in the Corner of Your Mouth

Excess saliva can buildup bacteria in your mouth that causes sores and dry lips.

What Causes Bad Breath and Bitter Taste?

May factors can cause bad breath, including:

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Tobacco products
  • Certain medications
  • Dry mouth
  • Oral infection
  • Sinus drainage

Bitter taste in your mouth

Some cause of a bitter taste in your mouth include:

  • Acid reflux
  • Some medications
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Dehydration
  • Smoking

Our experience shows that a stressful dental appointment and dental restorations that do not fit or function well can lead to additional stress. Burning mouth syndrome can result from stress and cause sensitivity, pain, and dryness. And many patients with a sore mouth are more delicate than usual with their oral hygiene.

What you can do:

  • Thoroughly floss daily
  • Thoroughly brush your teeth at least twice daily
  • If your symptoms do not improve, you may need an antibiotic
Invisalign upper and lower aligners

Establish good oral health to avoid interrupting Invisalign treatment

If you are uncomfortable with our dentist, you can consider getting a second opinion on your new crown’s condition. Seek a resolution to avoid interrupting your Invisalign treatment to correct issues with your crown.

Best wishes.

Dr. Steven Brookser, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.