Menu Phone
Phone: 504-885-8869 Main Site Pen Icon Reviews: GoogleFacebook

Archives for January 2025

Why Does My Upper Denture Make Me Gag?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Why does my upper denture make me gag so much? I only wear it when I eat or must leave home because I can’t stop gagging. Do I need another denture? Thanks. Janet from KS

 

Janet,

After an exam, a skilled cosmetic dentist can determine whether you need a new or modified denture.

What Causes Gagging While Wearing a Denture?

Two upper dentures placed vertically with a shorter palate on the lower denutre

The lower denture has a shorter palate

Removable dentures cover your entire palate to create suction and keep the denture in place. Ideally, a removable denture should extend to the “vibrating line” where the hard and soft palates meet. However, if the denture extends too far back on your soft palate, it can trigger gagging.

What Can Prevent Denture Gagging?

An implant denture is the most effective solution for eliminating gagging with dentures because it only covers the gum tissue, minimizing gagging.

If implant-supported dentures are not within your budget, an implant dentist can discuss alternatives to address the gagging issue.  Creating a slightly shorter denture palate can minimize gagging.

Dr. Finlay Sutton, a prosthodontist in Lancashire, England, has published a technique for managing severe gagging in denture patients.  His method involves trimming the denture base to a location short of the vibrating line, as illustrated in his published photographs of dentures on plaster casts.

The upper image shows a denture extending to the vibrating line, while the lower image depicts a trimmed denture for gag-sensitive patients.  Precise trimming is crucial, as excessive or incorrect reduction can compromise suction and retention.

Consult a skilled cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

Will Root Canal Treatment Damage My Porcelain Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Two of my eight porcelain veneers have a periapical abscess. I thought I had a sinus infection, but my teeth are causing the problem. My dentist referred me to an endodontist for root canals. I am concerned about losing the veneers or having them turn dark. I know the endodontist is a root canal specialist who will focus on the infection—not how my veneers look afterward—but I must get the condition under control. What do you suggest for my veneers? – Thank you. Genesis

Genesis,

It is good to recognize the need to remove the infection and resolve the periapical abscess (pus-filled sac at the tooth root). Otherwise, it will remain in your bone and spread. We are concerned about what led to needing root canal treatment after getting porcelain veneers—and for two teeth.

Porcelain Veneer Preparation and Root Canal Treatment

One porcelain veneer held by dental forceps

Porcelain veneer

It is unusual to require root canal treatment after you receive porcelain veneers. Skilled cosmetic dentists conservatively prepare teeth for porcelain veneers—removing a half millimeter or less of your tooth enamel. With this approach, infection and root canal treatment are extremely rare. Only a stub is left if a dentist aggressively prepares teeth and removes all the enamel. And the dentin (layer beneath the enamel) is exposed.

Some dentists prepare teeth and place full crowns, calling them porcelain veneers instead. Aggressive preparation increases the risk of tooth stress, irritation, and infection, which results in the need for root canal treatment. We hope that aggressive tooth preparation does not cause infection in your teeth.

Root Canal Treatment for Teeth with Porcelain Veneers

A tooth turns dark after root canal treatment, and darkness will show through your veneers, which have some translucence. Most tooth darkening comes from root canal filling material and cement that a dentist leaves in your tooth.

A cosmetic dentist takes these steps to retain the color of your veneers:

  • Clean out root canal filling materials and cement from the tooth
  • Place a flexible, white fiberglass post deep into the root
  • Fill the space with light-colored composite

The results can last five to ten years. And if your dentist placed your veneers correctly, you should not lose them.

If you are unsure about your dentist’s ability to resolve the color issue with your porcelain veneers, you can visit a skilled cosmetic dentist to discuss your options.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

 

Can I Get a Refund If a Dentist Did the Wrong Treatment?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve been a patient at a large dental chain for the past four years. Depending on my circumstances, I’ve had work done at two locations – one close to home and the other near work. When I recently visited the office near my house, the dentist asked me who placed fillings on two molar teeth because they looked deteriorated on my x-rays. She said that I probably needed root canal treatment and crowns.

After I told the dentist that I received the fillings at the same practice to replace old silver fillings with white ones, she was silent for a few seconds. She explained that an infection would worsen the situation if I didn’t get root canals and new crowns.

I got a second opinion at a dental practice that is not a chain. The dentist confirmed that I needed root canal treatment and crowns. I’m unsure why the chain dental practice didn’t recognize that before wasting my money on fillings. How can I get a refund before leaving this practice? Thank you. Sierra from AL

 

Sierra,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. Placing composite fillings takes more skill and time than placing silver fillings. However, composite fillings are healthier for teeth, and when completed correctly by a cosmetic dentist, they preserve tooth structure and seal out bacteria. If you needed crowns instead of fillings, a dentist misjudged the condition of your teeth.

We recommend getting another second opinion to confirm that you need root canal treatment and dental crowns. Ask for a copy of your dental records from the chain dental practice.

Also, be upfront about getting another second opinion. If you want the work done by the first dentist from whom you received a second opinion, explain your disappointment with your treatment. Also, ask if they will help you get a refund from the chain for placing defective composite fillings or placing them when you need crowns.

After your new second opinion, if the dentist agrees that you need root canal treatment and crowns, ask your new dentist to call the dentist who placed the fillings. Your dentist should explain:

  • You received an independent second opinion
  • You need root canal treatment and crowns
  • You want a refund

If the dentist from the chain dental practice doesn’t want to issue a refund, you can do three things:

  1. Explain that you will post online reviews on social media and any review platforms the practice uses.
  2. Tell the dentist you will file a complaint with the state dental board.
  3. Explain that you are willing to speak with an attorney to help resolve the issue, although you probably don’t have a big malpractice case.

Although we can’t guarantee that the dentist will refund you, you can try.

Large dental practices usually have high overhead costs and are driven to be profitable. They often hire many dentists who come and go. Depending on which day of the week you have an appointment, you may receive care from multiple dentists. It can be challenging to establish a relationship with one dentist you trust. However, not all large practices are the same. Some consistently offer high-quality care.

Generally, dentists at smaller practices have a higher level of care, ethics, and professionalism. We hope your new dentist will restore your teeth and help you regain good oral health.

 

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie