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What can I do to make implants more affordable?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I don’t have dental insurance, so haven’t been to the dentist in a long time. I finally had to break down and go because of a tooth that has been causing all sorts of problems. My dentist wants to remove the tooth and place an implant. I really want to do this so my tooth will stop hurting, but I can’t afford the cost of the implant. I’m considering purchasing one of those online discount insurance plans. Will it help pay for some of the implant?  — Mark in Idaho

Mark,
Even if you have a traditional dental insurance plan, most don’t guarantee any coverage for dental implants. Before you definitely decide to purchase a discount insurance plan, make certain that your dentist is in the network and they will abide by the fees listed in the plan. Get online and check the fee list (the discounted cost of treatment you will be paying for) or call and ask if a treatment is covered.  It could be that the implant surgery itself may not be covered, the restorative phase is. This will reduce your out of pocket cost for the implant, plus, you’ll reap the benefits of savings on other dental coverages.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Could my implant be causing my stinky breath?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve had nothing but trouble with my dental implant. Not only were the appointments grueling, but I had bone grafting as well as a problem with my crown resulting in it having to be re-cemented. To top it all off, I had an infection that just wouldn’t go away, so I was on several rounds of antibiotics. I’m finally to the point where the implant feels ok, but I’ve recently noticed a really bad taste in my mouth and my husband now says I have bad breath. Nothing seems to help. Could this bad taste and smell be coming from my implant? My dentist insists that everything is fine and suggested that I watch the foods I am eating and referred me to my doctor.   — Lisa in Oakland

Lisa,
It seems like you can’t seem to catch a break in this whole process. It must be so disappointing to invest all that time and money and have to endure so many problems. There’s so much expertise and skill that goes into placing implants…that’s why it’s so important to do your research up front when choosing the best implant dentist.

Go ahead and check with your physician, but you should also seek  a second opinion from another implant dentist. The reoccurring infections you have been dealing with could be a sign that there is something wrong. Active infections can cause many of the symptoms you are describing and if ignored and not treated the infection can spread – costing you not only the implant, but even your jaw or something much worse.

A failing implant is not something to brush aside – it’s a very serious issue. Find someone who can get to the root of why you are having these problems. Antibiotics are only a temporary fix until the real problem is addressed and treated. If a proper diagnosis is not made, the infections will continue – and so will the bad smell and taste.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is there such a thing as a good deal on implants?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have a couple of missing teeth and I am thinking about having implants placed. It will be a significant investment for me and I want to be sure I get the most affordable price possible. How will I know if my dentist is giving me a good deal?  – Mark in Idaho

Mark,
It’s always nice when you can shop around and save a little money on things in life. However, dental procedures are not something that you want to cut corners on. Often the best deal might turn out “to good to be true” and one crucial mistake can often lead to spending thousands of dollars more than you intended to get the smile of your dreams.

First you need to find a good implant dentist who can help you determine what treatment options are best for your situation and then what will fit your budget. Today, many dentists are helping make implants more affordable by offering payment plans or accepting credit. And because implants take several months to complete, most dentists give the option to pay for each procedure as it occurs, which also helps spread out the cost.

Getting the best deal can be a bonus, but focusing on the skill and knowledge of the dentist should be your first priority. After you find that, then it’s time to talk about what options are available to you for your particular situation and whether or not the office can work with you on payments and insurance billing to help make it more affordable.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Why do my gums look gray around my implants?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently had a couple of implants placed, but I think there is a problem and it is very noticeable – the gums around the implants look gray! My dentist didn’t mention anything about this, and now I am worried that I paid a bunch of money and something is wrong with my implants or the materials that were used. Should my gums be turning gray? — Sheila in New Orleans

Sheila,
The grayish or dark color is likely the collar of the implant showing through your gum tissue. This is not uncommon and it can be a result of your gum tissue being too thin, as well as the implant not being placed at the right depth. It is the titanium from the implant visible at the gum line, which can eventually lead to gum recession.

You could have a soft tissue graft done to thicken the surrounding gum tissue or if you haven’t had your permanent crown placed yet, your surgeon could switch out the titanium for Zirconia (a tooth colored material that would eliminate the gray color). Regardless of what you decide, you definitely need to have your dentist take a look at it and make sure there is no bone loss.

There’s no doubt that implants are a major investment. All too often, people look for ways to cut costs or make implants more affordable. Many times that means compromising on quality and unfortunately there are dentists who cut corners or costs in the materials. Find an implant dentist who is properly trained and has the credentials and experience needed to give you the best results possible.

A great deal may be good for some things in life, but not when it comes to dental implants. The “deal of a lifetime” is likely too good to be true and could end up costing you even more money and heartache in the end.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Why won’t my implant whiten?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently started whitening my teeth, but I’ve noticed that my implant – which used to match my teeth – is darker. Why is my implant not getting whiter along with the rest of my teeth? — Rick in Arkansas

Rick,
There’s good news and bad news with your situation. The good news is that the color you originally chose for your dental implant crown is sealed in, meaning it is very resistant to stains. The bad news is that it makes it impossible to whiten. This is because most at home whitening systems only work to remove surface stains and professional whitening systems permeate below the tooth’s surface to oxidize the stain. There are no dental restorations on the market today that work with either of these options. That is why whitening should be done prior to having any dental restorations, and your dental office should have offered it to you upfront and given the color time to stabilize before deciding on a shade.

Unfortunately, your only real option now is replacing the crown. If you’re satisfied with the shade you have achieved with the rest of your teeth, allow a few weeks for the color to stabilize before setting up an appointment. If you are looking to go whiter and want to do it faster, find a good cosmetic dentist who can help you determine what whitening options best suit your situation before you have the crown remade.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Not enough space for implants?

Posted on by smiles4u.

When I was young, a minor accident knocked one of my teeth out. It wasn’t in an obvious place that could be seen, so I didn’t worry about fixing it. I just recently went to the dentist after not being to one for many years, and I had to have the tooth next to it pulled. Now, I’d like to replace the two missing teeth with implants, but my dentist says I need to do a bridge because there is not enough room for two implants. I don’t understand how there is not enough room and also, the teeth on each side that he would need to crown are healthy, so why would he shave down good teeth?

Sam in Illinois

Sam,

When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth will shift.  Since it has been so many years since you lost the tooth, it’s given your other teeth plenty of time to move around, making the space smaller and leaving less room for two implants.

While a bridge may be an option – it’s not the only option.  Most dentists would likely want to find an alternative solution that doesn’t require shaving down healthy teeth, but if your dentist isn’t giving you any other options, it may be time to look for another opinion.

Mini implants might be an option in your case because they need less space. A dentist might be able to place two mini implants or even a single mini or traditional implant that will support two replacement teeth.

Bottom line, there are many options out there… take the time to do a little shopping around to find a dentist who will offer the best solution for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

If I have a metal allergy, will I be allergic to an implant?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Hello!

I have a very severe metal allergy. When my skin has any contact with metal from jewelry or even buttons on my pants, I break out into a rash that eventually blisters, oozes and scabs. I need to replace a missing tooth, and according to my dentist an implant is my best choice. I am very concerned, even though he has assured me that he uses pure titanium and that the implants are hypo-allergenic. My biggest worry is that this is something that will not just be touching my skin and I have no idea how my body might react. Will a pure titanium implant be ok?

Shelly in Omaha

Shelly,
Studies show that allergies to metals, especially nickel, are on the rise. It’s unfortunate that your dentist doesn’t seem to be listening to your concerns, so it’s great that you are looking out for your best interest.

Most people have no problem with pure titanium – even people like you who suffer from severe metal allergies. Titanium can be found in candy and even toothpaste. If you’re concerned about a reaction to titanium, consult with an allergist first to determine exactly what metals you have issues with.

Pure titanium dental implants do exist, but titanium alloy ones are common, too. Your dentist should get a copy of your allergy report and you should insist on seeing the package insert from your dental implant. If you have any questions or concerns, call the company to find out what metals are used.

If you do find out you are allergic to titanium, there are ceramic implants on the market. They are not as common, but if you do your homework, you can find a dentist who uses them.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can Fake Teeth be Whitened?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have two fake lateral incisors on a retainer that I wear, but I am planning on getting permanent implants within the next couple of years. In the meantime, my natural teeth are noticeably yellow and I’d like to whiten them. Can I whiten my fake teeth?

— Mark in PA

Mark,

Unfortunately only natural teeth whiten. For the process to work, the whitening agent must come in contact with a live surface – like that of a natural tooth – and open the pores in the enamel to reach the dentin. The oxygen in the whitening agent then penetrates the dentin layer where more whitening takes place and makes it last. That means things like crowns or porcelain veneers cannot be whitened.

If you’re planning on getting implants, we recommend bleaching your teeth about a month before your porcelain crowns are placed. Your dentist will be able to match your new crowns to the new tooth color. If you want to whiten now, a new retainer will need to be made to match your new tooth color. You’ll need to decide if it is worth the cost to do it right now and then also pay for implants later. If you do whiten now, be sure to do a quick touch up right before your crowns are made.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

What Can I Expect When Getting Dentures?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I think I am to the point where I need to get dentures. How does the procedure work? Will my dentist put me to sleep and pull out all my teeth and make the dentures all at one time?

Sylvia in California

Sylvia,

If you are in need of dentures, your dentist will extract all of your teeth at one time. Most patients have the option of IV or oral sedation, but if you want to just have local anesthesia and be awake for the procedure, you can do that, too. Keep in mind that not all dentists are certified in IV and oral sedation, so if this is something you prefer, be sure your dentist offers it.

When it comes to dentures, you have several options. An immediate denture is the most common type of denture and it is placed right after your teeth are extracted so you can leave the office with a new smile. Another benefit of an immediate denture is that it helps reduce swelling and bleeding. They are, however, more expensive than conventional dentures because they take more time to make and you will need more follow-up visits for adjustments after initial placement.

Conventional dentures are placed about eight weeks after healing, but the advantage is that you will likely have a better fit then with an immediate denture. During the healing process your gum tissue shrinks and the immediate becomes loose, requiring a soft temporary reline material to be placed on the denture for refitting. After about six months, when your mouth is completely healed, you will need a more permanent reline or possibly a new denture.

Before you make any decisions, talk with your dentist or specialist and discuss all your options. Dentures don’t always stay put in the mouth, and that is a problem for some patients. There are options to make dentures more permanent, such as snap on dentures that snap onto dental implants. Be sure to learn as much as you can before determining the type of denture that is right for you.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

What are the chances of all-on-4 implant failure?

Posted on by smiles4u.

Hello,

My teeth have caused me nothing but trouble my whole life. I don’t have very many left and my dentist has agreed to pull them so I can get dentures. He mentioned all-on-4s as an alternative to removable dentures because it will be more permanent. I do like the idea, but am concerned because a friend of mine had all-on-4s and something went terribly wrong with one of the implants. I’ve had enough trouble with my teeth and don’t want to risk going through what she did if this is something common that can happen. — Sharon

Sharon,

You are right to do your research and ask questions up front. While the all-on-4 procedure has been a hot topic recently for the reasons that you mention, you can relax a little bit and know that the problems your friend experienced are very rare. Implant failure happens in a very small percentage of patients.

Your success mostly hinges on the skill level of your dentist. To ensure you have a good outcome with the procedure, find a dentist who is educated and experienced with all-on-4, and ask the following questions:

  • Where he/she learned the procedure
  • If he/she has had any continuing education on all-on-4s
  • How long he/she has been performing the all-on-4 procedure and how many patients they have treated
  • Has there been any failures and what is the most common complication his/her patients have experienced

As with any medical procedure, your health will also play an important role.  Be sure your dentist thoroughly reviews your medical history to determine if you are at risk for implant failure. And if you are aware of any risks in your medical history, such as periodontal disease, bone loss, diabetes – or if you smoke, be sure to discuss all those risk factors open and honestly.

All-on-4s have a very high success rate, but asking questions and educating yourself before the procedure will put your mind at ease and ensure the best outcome possible.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.