Is Invisalign My Only Option?

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Hi,

I want to get Invisalign, but am wondering if there is an alternative. I have seen advertisements for kits they send you in the mail for smile aligners, such as Candid. They say they can bill your insurance and do not seem like a scam. Is there an alternative to Invisalign or is that my only option?

Tara, from Saratoga Springs, New York

 

Hi Tara,

Invisalign has been around since 1997, and has been developing its product and system since then. Candid and companies like them are more recent.

While a remote company like Candid can bill insurance, some insurance companies are having trouble with them.Remote dentistry has only recently become billable, but most insurances require dentistry to be performed in-office by a licensed dentist. This makes Invisalign a better option than Candid or a different remote dentistry company.

Another issue with using a remote dentistry company is that dentistry such as Invisalign requires maintenance, observation, and follow-up appointments. With Invisalign, your dentist will see you every 6-8 weeks, if not more. Aligners like Invisalign can cause teeth to become stressed and experience trauma, and will need to be seen by a dentist immediately. Without a dentist to monitor the teeth, you may lose them.

Candid may be cheaper in some cases, but with Invisalign you do not need to worry about complaining to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), or worry about your insurance not covering your aligners. Invisalign is a long-time, consumer trusted product, so if you are a candidate, you should look into it for your smile makeover.

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

 

Can a Recovering Addict Still Get Oral Surgery?

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Hello there,

I have struggled with addiction for most of my adult life. I finally am being treated at a methadone clinic for my opiate addiction. Years of drug use have wrecked my teeth, so I need a total makeover. However, the last dentist I saw refused to give me any pain medication for my tooth pain. I hate going to the dentist and worry about pain during and after treatment. Is there any dentist that will help me? I called around but of the dentists were willing to work with me, let alone give me any pain meds. My counselor is more than happy to answer questions any dentist may have.

Kenneth, from Billings, Montana

 

Hi Kenneth,

In the midst of the opioid epidemic, medical professionals are being extra cautious. Today, dentists would rather be careful than compassionate, especially if their compassion for patients could get them in trouble with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Some patients have abused this kindness, and unfortunately for you, their actions have made it harder for you to receive treatment.

You will need to find a kind-hearted dentist, but one that does sedation would work best for you. Gentle dentists can use nitrous oxide to put you under. Let them know about your history and treatment, and they can prescribe the best form of post-treatment medication. Keep calling and asking, and hopefully you’ll find a sedation dentist who’s a good match for you.

This blog post is brought to you by Baton Rouge sedation dentist, Dr. Steven Brooksher, of Dentistry by Brooksher.

 

How Can I Be Sure I’ll Like My Smile Makeover?

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I have what I consider an awful smile and am searching for a way to enhance it. But I’m worried it’s not going to turn out very good. I have a friend who got porcelain veneers and she is telling me she’s sorry she ever did it – she actually liked her smile better before anything was done.

-Sondra from Indiana

Dear Sondra,

Get a Qualified Cosmetic Dentist

The most important thing to do when you want a smile makeover is to get a qualified cosmetic dentist.

While cosmetic dentistry is a highly specialized field, for political reasons it isn’t recognized as a specialty by the American Dental Association. And during dental school, dentists are taught a lot about science, but really nothing about the art that is so important in creating a beautiful smile makeover. This is why the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry began its accreditation program. It’s a course of study followed by a series of examinations that, if followed, will certify that a dentist has the required expertise in cosmetic dentistry. There is a written examination to make sure the applicant has a grasp of the specialized knowledge of cosmetic dentistry, and then a clinical examination consisting of five procedures, followed by an oral examination. The testing is rigorous enough that the patient can be assured that any accredited cosmetic dentist will do beautiful, functionally correct cosmetic dentistry.

The Digital Smile Makeover

Beyond that, we can tell you how we make sure, in our office, that patients love the smile that Dr. Brooksher creates for them. One important step we undertake is the digital smile makeover. After discussing with the patient what changes they want to their smile, Dr. Brooksher will create the smile design they want, digitally, on a photograph of their face. They can see what it will look like before he starts any work.

The Beautiful Smile Guarantee

Another way we reassure our patients is with our beautiful smile guarantee. This is a mindset that pretty much all really great cosmetic dentists have. This principle highlights a big difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. General dentistry is about fixing things that are broken, and dentists are taught in school to have an authoritative approach because this is reassuring to the patient. The dentist knows best how to solve the problem. Is a cavity too big for a filling to work? Your dentist is trained to know. But in cosmetic dentistry we’re treating the self-image of the patient. Are you embarrassed to smile? You are the best judge of that. It’s a reversal of the mindset we’re taught in school. But for Dr. Brooksher, a smile makeover isn’t successful unless the patient loves it. So before permanently attaching it to a patient’s teeth, he will try it on and make sure the patient loves it. If the patient doesn’t, any needed changes, including possibly going back to the ceramist to be re-made, are made before it is affixed to the teeth.

BEFORE
AFTER

Here’s a sample of a smile makeover created by Dr. Brooksher. This photograph illustrates the importance of personalizing each smile makeover. Many patients want a bright, dazzling, sparkling smile. This patient, however, wanted a more subdued, even smile. You can see by the expression on his face that he is very comfortable with it.

These are some guidelines. I hope they are helpful in finding a dentist who will create a beautiful smile for you and making you comfortable with your choice.

This blog is brought to you by Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.