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My dental phobia is out of control

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My dental phobia is out of control. I am saying this because I have 2 missing teeth that I want to replace with implants. I think that I also need orthodontics because my teeth are shifting badly. The teeth have been missing for 4 years. I still go to the dentist for cleanings (and I am nervous during that) but getting the thought work done like the implants and orthodontics is making me nauseous. My dentist is not sympathetic or patient with my questions. He keeps telling me that I will be fine, but that’s not helpful. I am frustrated. Typically, how painful is the work that I need to be done? – Lance from Harrisburg, PA

Lance –

Thank you for contacting our office with your question.

Painless Dental Care

The dental treatment you need can be painless—especially if you see a gentle dentist who cares about your anxiety.

A gentle dentist has methods to ensure that any injections you might need are painless. And the dentist will help you relax during your appointment. Your phobia won’t be an issue, and you will have a productive dental appointment. This will help the dentist complete as much work as possible in one appointment.

You will benefit by finding two or three dentists who offer sedation. Request a consultation with each of them. Explain your dental phobia, ask questions about the treatment you need, and take notes. Your interaction with the dentists will help you decide whom you are most comfortable with for your dental care.

You are interested in dental implants, so for best results, look for a dentist with advanced implant and cosmetic dentistry training. It will ensure that you get high-quality implants that look natural.

Comfortable Recovery

Diagram of three phases of dental implants for info about dental anxiety and implants

You can get dental implants despite your dental phobia

You can expect discomfort after dental implant surgery, but your dentist or oral surgeon will explain how to manage it. Follow their pre- and post-operative care instructions to make your recovery as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Should I Get Crowns or Porcelain Veneers for 7 Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have seven bad teeth and would like to know if I should ask for crowns or veneers. My teeth look horrible. Part of it is genetic and poor shape. But my teeth have never been anywhere close to white. Nobody in my family has good-looking teeth. The other part is my not caring for them like I should have when I was younger. Now that I am 33 and have dental coverage and the money to fix them, my teeth matter. If I get caps on the 7 teeth, how long will they last? Joelle

Joelle – If you take good care of crowns, they can last 15 years or more. But your teeth may not need porcelain crowns. We recommend that you have your teeth examined by a cosmetic dentist. Depending on the condition and location of your teeth, you may be able to receive porcelain veneers, which cover the front of your teeth. Back, or molar teeth, can be covered with crowns.

Benefits of porcelain veneers

porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Porcelain veneers are thin as a fingernail

Benefits of porcelain veneers include:

  • Preserve tooth structure. They require less removal of your natural tooth structure. A dental crown requires tapering the entire tooth so it will cover the tooth from the gumline to the biting surface
  • Lifelike, thin restorations. You can receive ultra-thin veneers that look just like natural teeth.
  • Quick smile transformation. A dentist can transform your smile in as few as two visits with this treatment.
  • Long-lasting results. Porcelain is durable, so if you take good care of your veneers, they can last 15 years or longer.

Many dentists can give you crowns or veneers, but only a dentist with an artistic eye and extensive training in cosmetic dentistry can give you beautiful results. A skilled cosmetic dentist will ensure your veneers match the characteristics of your natural teeth. If you invest in renewing your smile, be sure to visit an experienced cosmetic dentist for quality results.

 

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Need some advice for a badly decayed first molar tooth

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My bottom right first molar is decayed and does not have a second molar behind it. My dentist wants to try to save it with a root canal, and if that does not work, she recommends a dental implant. The tooth is far enough back that I wonder if removing it and doing something like a half snap-on smile would work. I work from home, so I would only need to wear artificial teeth when I socialize. My dentist says that if I want an extraction, I need to find another dentist. She hates removing teeth. Do you mind offering your opinion? Thank you. Tytus from GA

Tytus,

Thank you for your question.

Diagram of eeth with focus on the first molar - for dental implant info from Metaire, LA dentist Dr. DelauneIf you have already lost your second molar, removing the first molar would leave you without any lower right molars. We want to help you understand the effects of removing your first molar.

Effect of Lacking Molar Teeth on One Side

If you have no molar teeth on one side of your mouth, it will affect you in these ways:

  • Chewing – You will not be able to chew on that side of your mouth. And you will add stress to the teeth on the other side of your mouth. As molar teeth on the left side of your mouth wear, you will eventually need to eat soft foods that do not require a lot of chewing unless you get some form of long-lasting tooth replacement.
  • Temporary replacement teeth – A Snap-on Smile and similar products do not replace the function of molar teeth. Even if you wear it for socializing, it is not durable. You will need to replace it repeatedly.
  • Tooth misalignment – When one tooth is missing, nearby and opposing teeth begin to drift into the space. Without molars on the lower right side of your mouth, your teeth will start to move, detract from your smile, and create orthodontic issues.

Treatment Options for a Decayed First Molar Tooth

If your molar tooth is damaged, your treatment options likely include:

  • Root canal treatment – Your dentist can try to save your tooth with root canal treatment and a dental crown. Saving the tooth will prevent surrounding and opposing teeth from shifting. Root canal treatment is less expensive than extraction and a dental implant or dentures.
  • Dental implant – If root canal treatment fails and your dentist cannot save the tooth, a dental implant can replace it without damaging your oral health. An implant has an artificial root and a crown. It will function as a healthy natural tooth.
  • Partial denture – Although a partial denture can replace a missing tooth, it must attach to other teeth to stay in place. Over time, the pressure from the clasps of a partial denture weakens healthy teeth.

We recommend talking to your dentist about your concerns with root canal treatment. If your tooth is healthy enough, root canal treatment is the best way to save it and avoid a series of temporary solutions that require replacement.

Best wishes.

 

Duane Delaune, DDS, a cosmetic dentist of Metairie, New Orleans, sponsors this post.

Lumineers to get my Hollywood smile?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I am looking at some celebrity photos and their teeth look the perfect size and very white. Did some of them have to get lumineers to get a smile like that or could teeth whitening do it? I want the same kind of Hollywood smile. – Ariel

Ariel – Lumineers, a brand of porcelain veneers, can make your teeth their whitest and look larger, but they may not be the best option for you. In fact, you may not need porcelain veneers at all to make your teeth look larger and whiter.

If you are thinking about getting a smile makeover, see a cosmetic dentist. If your gumline is low on your teeth, it can make them look smaller. Gum contouring can be done to reduce the size of your gumline and make your teeth look larger.

Teeth whitening from a cosmetic dentist can get your teeth brilliantly white.

We can’t recommend any treatment for you without an examination, but visit an experienced cosmetic dentist to find out your options for enhancing your smile.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Many patients think he is the best dentist in New Orleans.