best dentist Archives - Dr. Duane Delaune's Blog

Am I at Risk of Nerve Damage with Tooth Removal?

Posted on December 31, 2023 by AllSmiles.

My dentist removed four teeth before Invisalign treatment and left one tooth root behind by mistake. He says a premolar tooth root touches a nerve, and an oral surgeon must remove it. The surgeon explained the risks for numbness that can be brief, last for months, or permanent paralysis. Can I skip this surgery? I’ve already delayed Invisalign treatment for the first surgery. Thank you. Chase from NH

Chase,

You need a second opinion with another oral surgeon to examine your X-rays and determine what you might expect with surgery.

Is it Necessary to Remove Tooth Roots Left After Extraction?

Sometimes, tooth roots left after extraction are harmless. However, if you are in Invisalign treatment and the tooth is a lower molar, the root can affect the movement of other teeth.

Oral surgeons must protect themselves from lawsuits and explain the most extreme results of surgery. The risk of nerve damage with wisdom teeth is higher than with premolars. Still, if a tooth root touches a nerve, the roots may affect the mental foramen nerve that travels along the lower lip and chin. You might have some temporary numbness or complete loss of sensation but not paralysis.

An oral surgeon can see the nerve on an X-ray and, with good technique, avoid damaging it during surgery.

Get a Second Opinion

If you want to feel confident about your decision to accept or decline surgery, schedule a second opinion with another oral surgeon. They will examine your X-rays and explain your options. The surgeon will also explain what you can expect if you do or don’t have surgery to remove the tooth root.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

My Dental Bonding Looks Awful

Posted on May 9, 2020 by writeradmin.

I had some discoloration on my teeth after getting braces. I really regret not getting Invisalign now, but hindsight is 20/20. I had discoloration on several teeth after my procedure was done. I asked her what we could do about it. At first, we tried teeth whitening, but that only made it worse. So, she told me she needed to do some research. She called me back and said the consensus is dental bonding is the right solution. I felt confident going in because this time she researched the solution. Honestly, though, my two front teeth now look like she just glued pieces of chicklet gum to them. They are way too thick and the color looks flat and chalky. I could tell even she wasn’t thrilled with them but she was trying to not make me feel self-conscious about them. Is there anything I can do to fix these at this point or is it too late?

Sheena

Dear Sheena,

It sounds like your dentist cares about her patients but is just in over her head when it comes to the cosmetic end of things. That isn’t terribly surprising. Dentists are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to cosmetic work. It’s not really taught in dental school, nor is it a recognized specialty. If a dentist wants to learn about cosmetic dentistry they have to invest in post-doctoral training to learn more about it. Especially for dentists just starting out, that’s a tough one.

I can tell your dentist had not invested in that training right off that bat with her suggestion about teeth whitening. Two basic tenets about teeth whitening that every dentist should know are: 1. It whitens your teeth evenly. As a result, when there is discoloration whitening your teeth actually makes that more obvious, not less. 2. It will only whiten natural tooth structure. If someone had discolored dental work bleaching them won’t work.

When that failed, she did what she should have to begin with, and did some research. She was right about the solution. Dental bonding is the correct way to fix this problem. What she didn’t realize is that it is an advanced cosmetic procedure that takes a while to learn, especially because it has to be done freehand.

Another common repair that uses dental bonding is for broken and chipped teeth. if you look at the image above, you can see a repair done by Dr. Delaune. Notice that it blends in seamlessly in both color and texture. This is what you should expect with a dental bonding case.

Getting Bad Dental Bonding Fixed

The only real fix for this is to have it done over. Based on what you’ve said, I honestly don’t think your dentist has the skills yet to give you a beautiful natural-looking result. Your first step is to get your money back, so you can get this done properly. She likely knows it didn’t turn out beautifully and should be willing to give you a refund.

You’ll want an expert cosmetic dentist to do this repair. It is hard for patients to know who has the training and who doesn’t because there isn’t an “official” specialty. One retired cosmetic dentist realized this and started a website to help patients like you. I would go to the mynewsmile.com website. They screen dentists, who want to be listed, for both their technical knowledge and skill, as well as their artistry. Only the best cosmetic dentists are included. They cannot simply pay to have a listing there. Any one of them can give you the repair you were hoping for to begin with.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

medical insurance & dental implants

Posted on January 14, 2020 by writeradmin.

I had to remove all my upper teeth due to extensive gum disease and decay. I’ve gotten the gum disease back under control, though it cost me a small fortune. I’ve been trying traditional dentures, but that dental plate has made things impossible for me. I have too strong a gag reflex to even keep it in. This has made eating almost impossible. I’ve already lost ten pounds and I’m not a big woman to begin with. My dentist suggested I get implant dentures. Is it possible to get medical insurance to pay for this because I can’t eat? I would think that would count as a health issue. My dentist didn’t think it would.

Beth

Dear Beth,

upper implant overdentures — Implant overdentures

Implant overdentures will be a great solution for someone in your position. The extra hardware in your mouth which comes along with traditional dentures is a problem for most people.

Using dental implants to support them, not only makes them more secure, it also removes all the extra material over your palette which causes so many gagging problems. Not to mention the food that can get under there.

Medical Insurance for Dental Implants

Unfortunately, your dentist was right. It is highly unlikely medical insurance with cover you getting the dental implants you need. This is a shame because it does have a negative impact on your health when you can’t eat and get the nutrition you need.

Most medical insurance comes with a dental exclusion clause. There is sometimes an exception where if you had a car accident and lost your teeth. Then, it COULD be covered through the medical portion of your car insurance.

Affording Dental Implants

There are a few ways to make this more affordable. First, you should know you don’t have to pay for the entire procedure at once. Instead, you pay for the implant portion before that is done. Then there is a period of healing, which also allows for osseointegration. When that is completed, it is time for the denture portion. That is when you’ll pay for the second half.

Even then, things can be broken up for you. Many dentists work with a company called “Care Credit“. This is a medical credit card of sorts which will pay for your procedure and then allow you to pay them back.

The interest is much lower than traditional credit cards. If you have good credit, you can even get a zero-interest payment plan. I would talk to your dentist. Their business office can usually find options for you.

If they’re not willing to show you options, then this isn’t the best dentist for you. Find a better dentist. One who is more compassionate.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.