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Affordable Dentist

I Can’t Afford to Improve My Smile

I went to see my dentist about improving the look of my smile. My children are all grown and I want to enter back into the work force. My smile has yellowed over the years. Plus, my teeth are crooked in some places. My dentist suggested I get porcelain veneers and said that it would fix both problems. Unfortunately, this is way too expensive for me. Is there an affordable way to improve my smile?

Amy

Dear Amy,

Teeth whitening trays
Teeth Whitening Trays

I am glad you wrote. While porcelain veneers are a great way to get that Hollywood smile, it is certainly not the only way to improve your smile. No matter what your budget, it is always a good idea to get all of your options before making your decision.

A great option for you, that will save you thousands of dollars, is to use a combination of Invisalign and teeth whitening. If your dentist does not offer Invisalign, you can go to another dentist or to have that done. Just be sure to ask your dentist for some professional teeth whitening gel.

You can wear those in your aligners , which enables you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time. That will save you additional money.

When it comes to porcelain veneers, you would only want an expert cosmetic dentist to do them, and would definitely NOT want to price shop. However, both teeth whitening and Invisalign can be done by any dentist that offers them. I would call around and find an affordable dentist that offers what you need.

This blog is brought to you by Scottsdale Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Are Lumineers Reversible?

I want to get a smile makeover and went to see my dentist. He suggested that I use Lumineers because that means I won’t have to take off any tooth structure. I like that idea but he hasn’t done many of these cases. I know that because I asked. If I don’t like the way it ends up, is it reversible?

Abigail

Dear Abigail,

Image of a Lumineers advertisement

I am glad you wrote before going through with this procedure. I am always leery when a dentist recommends Lumineers. This particular brand of Lumineers is highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. Unfortunately, that is not true. While they are considered no-prep veneers, very few smiles look good without some type of tooth preparation. Instead, they look bulky.

However, let’s address your actual question. Are they reversible? If by reversible you mean the Lumineers can be removed and your teeth will go back to normal and you can get your money back, the answer is no.

If by reversible you mean that you can redo them with a different dentist and pay for it twice, then sure!

Your best bet, in a situation like this, is to find an experienced cosmetic dentist who can do the job well. Most of them will not recommend Lumineers, but a different brand of porcelain veneers. However, if you want to give your dentist a chance, there is a way you can give him some experience without risking your smile makeover turning out badly.

If your dentist is willing to only permanently bond the Lumineers or other brand of porcelain veneers on AFTER you approve them and are thrilled with them, then you should be okay. Here’s how that can work.

Your veneers come back from the lab. Then, your dentist places them with a temporary try in paste and you get to look at them in a variety of different lightings. If you don’t love it, then he sends it back to the lab to make changes. He should be willing to do this as many times as it takes. The upside for him is that it gives him a LOT of practice.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

One-Day Versus Traditional Crowns?

I need to get a dental crown but am a bit short on money. I’ve been looking at both traditional crowns and those one-day crowns. I’m hoping the one day crowns are less expensive because they only take one appointment, but it is for a front tooth, so I want to make sure the one-day crowns are just as good as the old-fashioned ones.

Sara

Dear Sara,

Dental crown being placed on a tooth

I’m glad you wrote. The truth is that both a traditional crown as well as a CEREC crown will cost about the same amount. Yes, it is true that the CEREC crown takes only one appointment as opposed to the traditional crown, however the CEREC machine costs a dentist about $150,000. That is a huge expense to cover, so dentists will generally spread that out in the cost of the crowns.

The quality of the crowns is about the same either way. However, because you are needing this crown on a front tooth, I highly recommend that you get a traditional crown. Same day crowns are milled out of a single block of porcelain. Our natural teeth have variations in their color and opacity. That is why with traditional crowns dentists use more than one block of porcelain so they can get all those subtle differences in there.

This doesn’t mean you still can’t get an affordable dental crown. The key, however, is not in the type of crown as much as the dentist that makes the difference in the price. If you are looking for an affordable dental crown, I would look for an affordable dentist. They are much more likely to have reasonable prices, as well as allow you to make payments instead of paying for everything up front. You can generally find them by doing an internet search for the term “affordable dentist”. I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

How Do I Find a Lumineers Expert?

I am planning to get a smile makeover and have seen a lot of advertisements for Lumineers. The cost is pretty high. I’m assuming there is some kind of way to tell if there is expertise. I saw there are certified Lumineers dentists. I just wanted to make sure before I dropped thousands of dollars.

Emily

Dear Emily,

Image of a Lumineers advertisement

I am glad you wrote. You show a good sense of critical thinking, which is a rapidly depleting resource these days. Being Lumineers certified does not necessarily equate to being an expert. It means the dentist completed a seminar with the Lumineers company. It says nothing about their technical knowledge or expertise.

You should also be aware that Lumineers is just one brand of porcelain veneers. This particular brand is highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. While they may be easy to place, that says nothing about them being easy to make both natural looking and beautiful.

Whatever dentist you go to, make certain that they are willing to place your porcelain veneers with a temporary try in paste first. If you’re not happy with them, they should send them back to the lab to make changes before permanently bonding them on.

If they are serious about cosmetic dentistry, they should also have a brag book of sorts with before and after images of patients who they have done work for.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

Can’t Afford What Dentist is Insisting On

I am losing two teeth. My dentist is insisting I get dental implants to replace them, but I honestly cannot afford that. He told me that if I don’t get dental implants, I would need to find another dentist. What do I do?

Fanny

Dear Fanny,

A comparison of a dental bridge next to a dental implant

I don’t like it when dentists give patients ultimatums like this. While, yes, dental implants are the best treatment for a missing tooth, not everyone can afford the top of the line. There are other, perfectly acceptable options to replace your tooth. In fact, your dentist is ethically obligated to give you all of your options. If he wants you to go to another dentist, I would oblige him.

If you can’t afford a dental implant, the next best option would be to get a dental bridge. This would require placing a dental crown on the two adjacent teeth and suspending a false tooth between them.

If even that is too much money for you, then you can look at a removable partial denture.

My suggestion is you look for someone who advertises as an affordable dentist. They are generally much more understanding about things like budgets. Some of them even have payment plan options to help you get the procedure you need.

I am sorry this happened to you. However, I am hopeful with a more compassionate dentist, you can get the care you need without having ultimatums placed on you.

There are plenty of great dentists out there. Don’t limit yourself to the one who cares more about his bank account than yours.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Lumineers for Discolored Fillings?

I had a couple of dental fillings on my upper teeth that just do not match my teeth. I’ve tried bleach, which had no affect of them, Additionally, brushing makes no difference, though I will do it anyway for hygienic reasons. I really like my smile, except for that one issue. My dentist is suggesting Lumineers. While they are expensive, if that is what will make my smile the same color I am willing to pay it.

Cassie

Dear Cassie,

Image of a Lumineers advertisement

I would not allow your dentist to place Lumineers. These should be reserved for a complete smile makeover. Additionally, they are just one brand of porcelain veneers.

While Lumineers can be done well, most cosmetic dentists prefer a different brand of porcelain veneers. This is because the Lumineers lab is not always known for their artistic results.

Also, you mentioned you loved your smile with the exception of the difference in color. Therefore, porcelain veneers, no matter which brand, would be a massive overtreatment.

Plus, your dentist struggled to match the fillings. This tells me he does not have much expertise in cosmetic work. You would likely be disappointed in his results.

The solution for discolored dental fillings is to replace the fillings. The truth is the composite bonding used for fillings can be made to match any color if the dentist knows what they are doing and has the materials.

You will save yourself a lot of money and grief just going to a dentist who can match your dental fillings to your natural teeth.

If you want your teeth any whiter than they currently are, just make sure you whiten your teeth before having the dental fillings replaced. As you learned in your efforts to match the current ones to your teeth, teeth whitening does not have any impact on dental work. It will only whiten natural tooth structure.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.
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Affordable Dentist

How Do I Get My Money Back If the Dentist Never Did the Work?

I went to an “affordable” dentist. He had a service for payment plans through something called Care Credit. I am now wondering if it is a scam. I have already paid off Care Credit. The dentist, however, did a different procedure than was paid for. The procedure was less expensive. When I mentioned the difference in cost, he said he’d give me office credit for the rest. But, I don’t want office credit. I have bills to pay and want my own money back. Do you have recommendations on how to get it?

Fleur

Dear Fleur,

An image of a Care Credit card.

I’ll start with Care Credit. It is a legitimate business and would likely not approve of the ethics your dentist used. In fact, they pay the dentist in full up front and take all the risk of you paying them back.

What your dentist did was unethical and you should get a refund of the difference between what you paid for and what service he provided you immediately. I’m also a bit concerned that, based on how it was worded above, you had to point out the price difference to your dentist. If this is true, then I highly recommend that you find a new dentist.

You can have both an affordable dentist as well as an ethical dentist. However, let’s focus on your refund. I would start by confronting him. If that doesn’t work, let him know that you will be contacting the dental board.

Those on the dental board can completely derail his career so that should perk his ears up. An additional step to take would be to write some online reviews on Yelp! and Google Reviews. About two-thirds of patients who are looking for a new dentist will check online reviews before deciding.

I’m sorry this happened to you.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

I Just THOUGHT Dental Implants Were Too Expensive

About 20 years ago, I ended up getting dentures. My dentist mentioned dental implants but they were so expensive I just went ahead and got the dentures. I’ve been miserable with these dentures ever since. It’s hard to eat and, even when I do eat, the food gets underneath everything. Then, it got to the point where they would not even stay in my mouth. I went back to the dentist and he told me that I don’t have a lower ridge in my jawbone any more and my denture won’t stay in unless I have a special surgery to fix that and then have a new denture made. Here’s what I’m wondering. What happened to my lower ridge? Is this typical? Should I have been warned about it? Is it too late for me to get dental implants?

Carol

Dear Carol,

before and after facial collapse
Before and after facial collapse

I am sorry this is happening to you. What happened to your lower ridge is known in dental circles as facial collapse. When your teeth were removed, your body recognizes that and resorbs the minerals in your jawbone that are no longer needed to help retain your teeth. Unfortunately, while efficient, this does shrink your jawbone.

This is something that will happen to everyone who wears completely removable dentures. In that sense it is typical. And, yes, you should have been warned about this.

The good news is that it is not too late for you to get dental implants. You will still need the bone grafting surgery because dental implants need bone to support the prosthetic roots. After that, however, you will be good to get your dental implants.

Affordable dentistry is a tricky thing. While you can find a dentist with more afforadble prices, be careful you are not just going to a cheap dentist. If they’re way lower than every other dentist there is usually a reason, such as they are cutting corners, which puts the patient at risk, or they are just so bad at their job they need to have super low prices in order to attract new patients.

The same balance is true in regular oral health care. For example, it is initially cheaper to not get a filling when the decay is small, but as the cavity grows it becomes more expensive. If it gets beyond a certain size, then you need an expensive dental crown or an infection sets in and you need both a root canal treatment and a dental crown. Many compassionate dentists are willing to work with patients on payment plans when they can’t afford care they need.

I’m sorry this has happened to you.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Can Teething Cause a Fever?

My baby is a little over 8 months old. She keeps getting fevers. The doctor never finds anything wrong with her and I’m spending a fortune that I can’t afford to spend. Her gums are swollen, too. I was asking a friend about it who has two children and she said that teething can cause a fever and I should slit my baby’s gums so the teeth can come in more easily. Is this accurate? I’m not sure how to slit the gums? Does a dentist do this?

Kathleen

Dear Kathleen,

I’m glad you wrote. Being a mom can be stressful. You want to make sure you are doing the best for your child. Suddenly, you’re expected to be an expert on so many things.

The first thing I would say, emphatically, is to NOT slit your child’s gums. Your baby’s body has a very natural way of dealing with teething. The teeth will break through as they develop. If you ease the way for them, you will find the teeth can come in prematurely which will mean the roots do not have time to fully form.

This is especially important when it comes to your daughter’s back teeth. They have to stay in place until she is around twelve year’s old. With malformed roots, it will difficult for that to happen.

As for your question about whether teething can cause a fever, the answer would be yes. However, it would only be a mild fever. In addition to the fever, you may also notice more drooling than normal, general fussiness, pulling on the ears, and a diminished appetite.

If your daughter is having a hard time with it, there are over-the-counter medications that can be used to ease the discomfort she is in.

After she is able to sit up well for an extended period of time, you should look into getting her established with a pediatric dentist. One of the most common issues I see with young children is that parents tend to wait until there is an urgent dental issue to take them to the dentist. This almost always leads to some dental fear in the children that impacts their view of the dentist for years, sometimes for a lifetime. Getting them to the dentist before there is a problem gives them a positive feeling with the dentist and helps prevent anxiety.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. HIllary Peck.

Affordable Dentist

I Hate My Smile but Have No Money to Fix It

I never got to go to the dentist growing up. My teeth are mostly healthy, though there is one cavity I haven’t taken care of yet. My bigger problem is how my smile looks. These days, everyone is expected to have a celebrity smile and I feel like some kind of imp that needs to hide in a cave.

I priced porcelain veneers, which is what everyone says is the procedure for smile makeovers. The cost is astronomical. If I owned a house, I’d have to sell it. Is there any affordable way to get a pretty smile?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

Teeth whitening trays
Teeth Whitening Trays

While porcelain veneers are a fantastic way to improve the appearance of your smile. One of the best and most affordable things you can do to improve your smile is with teeth whitening. It can make you look decades younger (though I do not know your age). It generally only costs a few hundred dollars as opposed to the thousands of dollars needed for porcelain veneers.

It is also one of those procedures that does not require any special post-doctoral training. Pretty much any dentist can do it. That also means you can shop around and find the most affordable dentist in your area to do it. Just be sure to do it right after having a check up and cleaning. Otherwise the results will be splotchy. Most dentists require a cleaning for that reason.

I want to also address the cavity you mentioned. If you are trying to save money, taking care of this cavity right away with a dental filling is the best way to do that. Filling a cavity costs significantly less than letting it grow and need a dental crown. If it gets beyond the need for a crown, then you have to extract the tooth and pay for a tooth replacement. The most affordable dentistry is preventive dentistry.

The last thing you want is for this to turn into a dental emergency.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.