All posts by writeradmin

writeradmin writes blog posts on behalf of Dr. Kevin Peck
Emergency Dentist

$700 aspirin- fed up

I was in a ton of pain and my dentist wouldn’t see me after hours. I went to the emergency room. They didn’t do anything with the tooth, gave me some aspirin, and charged me $700. I’m still in tremendous pain. What do I do?

Drew- Baltimore

Drew,

I’m sorry for your experience. There are few things worse than tooth pain. Generally, hospitals won’t treat dental problems.  Though, they could have at least given you something a little stronger than an aspirin…and you’re right, the cost was ridiculous.

Your dentist should have had some emergency protocol. Surely he could have recommended a colleague that he refers after hours cases to–at the least.

You’re going to need to see an emergency dentist. If your dentist isn’t willing to recommend one, you can do a google search to find one.

I’ll be honest. If your dentist isn’t willing to help in any fashion while you’re in so much pain, you’d be better served with a different denist.

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

Lumineers

Lumineers for halloween

I want to go as a vampire for halloween and I want it to be REALLY realistic. Can I get lumineers that look like vampire teeth?

Steve C. – Portland

Steve,

Yes, you can get lumineers to look like vampire teeth. However, you’ll spend a lot of money to do so and it’s permanent.  Some dentists are willing to do this, but some aren’t. Now, if you want to spend the next 20 years or so looking like a vampire, then this is a great solution for you. If not, I’d look for a different solution.

You could get dental bonding, which is less expensive. You’ll have to pay twice. Once to get them and once to get them removed.  Many dentists will make you sign something that promises you will come back to have them removed.  Mosts dentists aren’t comfortable creating permanent “vampires”.

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

Pediatric Dentistry

Dentist threatened to restrain my child

I took my daughter in for her first dental appointment. She’d been to see my appointments and was very excited about going for her own appointment. She was thrilled when  she saw they have baby dolls in the waiting room.  She was playing with them when they called her name to go back. She didn’t want to give up the baby doll and threw a little bit of a fit, but did eventually give up the doll.  However, when we went back to the room they told me that because of her temperment they would have to either sedate or restrain her. They didn’t even try to work with her and she had calmed down by then. We left immediately. I’m wondering if this is common practice with pediatric dentists?

Hannah I. – Portland, OR

Hannah,

It is a fairly common practice for pediatric dentists to have restraints, however, they are generally used as a last resort and for treatments other than just general check up appointments.

Your hygienist and/or dentist should have at least attempted to see how your daughter would do on her appointment. They should also have done some fun things to give her a chance to adjust.

I’m glad you left. You always want your child’s first appointment to be a pleasant one and what they had planned would have been traumatic.  My suggestion is for you to find a different pediatric dentist.  There are also family dentists who treat children than can serve as a pediatric dentist as well.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck

Lumineers

Boyfriend got vampire teeth…I hate it!

My boyfriend did something super sweet and unbelievable stupid. He knows I am a twilight fan. For our anniversary he got vampire teeth put in. He said they’re lumineers. Is there any way to get rid of them? I like twilight, but I wasn’t really interested in dating a vampire. I just thought Robert Pattinson was hot.  Now, if he could get Pattinson’s hair…that’d be awesome.

Denae- Maine

Denae,

I don’t believe I have ever laughed so much from a blog question in my life. I hope you don’t mind, but I showed my wife…and my neighbor.

Here is what I suggest for your fella. He’ll need to have his Lumineers re-done. Now, I don’t know how wealthy your boyfriend is, but he did something pricey for your anniversary. It won’t be cheap to change them either. I recommend his dentist only change the “pointy” teeth, That will at least limit his expense on the fix.

Sorry I can’t help in regard to Mr. Pattinson’s hair.

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

Affordable Dentist

I want a free dentist

Is there free dentists for poor people? I can’t afford to go and I have a tooth ache.

Devon O. – Baltimore

Devon,

Each city generally has free dental service clinics, but they’re not permanent, instead they are once a year or so.  However, if you are having tooth pain now, it needs to be dealt with. That pain probably indicates a tooth infection. When left untreated, they can become quite serious.

Plus, it is more affordable to deal with things early. If not, you could end up having to replace a tooth, which can cost a great deal.  I understand you’re in a difficult financial situation. In that case, I would do an internet search for an affordable dentist in your area.

When you talk to them, be up front about your financial circumstances. They’ll likely work with you.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Do I have to get my teeth ground for lumineers?

I want to get a new smile with Lumineers, but I don’t want my teeth to be ground down. Is that really necessary?

Ginny D. – Virginia

Ginny,

I think you may be confusing Lumineers with dental crowns. Your teeth do have to be ground down with dental crowns. It’s different with Lumineers. You may not even need any tooth preparation at all. Sometimes, however, there is a need for moderate tooth preparation.

It isn’t anything like grinding your teeth down though. Instead it is maybe the depth of a fingernail or less. Most people can’t tell the difference in size between a prepped or unprepped tooth.

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

Affordable Dentist

My dentist doesn’t understand I can’t afford his recommendation

I have a chip on my tooth. I’ve not really had money to fix it, but I’ve been offered a great PR job on the condition I fix my tooth. It’s a reasonable request as I’ll be in front of a camera a lot. It will be worth, it, but I just don’t have the money to do an expensive treatment yet. My dentist wants me to get a Lumineer to fix it, but that is way over my budget. Isn’t there any other option?

Brooke S.- Oregon

Brooke,

I get frustrated when I hear about scenarios like yours. A dentist has an ethical responsibility to give patients all their options, not just the ones that make them the most money.

Dentist’s need to understand that not everybody works on the same type of budget and might need more affordable options for their dental treatment.

You do have another option. It’s possible your dentist doesn’t know how to do it and that isn’t why he mentioned it, but he had a repsonsibility to let you know about the option regardless. Have you looked into dental bodning? It uses composite material to repair your chip.  It doesn’t last as long as a porcelain veneer (Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers), but it is considerably less expensive.

It’s a least an option that will allow you to get your new job and then you can save up for the cadillac of repairs.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Dentist won’t let me with my child

We went to my child’s first dental appointment and everything went fine. They were nice. My son was comfortable and had fun.  When we came back for his second check up, I was astonished to hear they wouldn’t let me go back with him. We had no problems in the first one, so I can’t understand why.  We left, because I was uncomfortable with the situation.  Why would they insist I send my child with a room full of what are essentially strangers to us.

Alana P. – Memphis, TN

Alana,

Each dentist has their own policy when it comes to allowing parents into the operatory. Some dentists allow it all the time, some never. Others allow it for the first appointment only so the child will be eased into a trust relationship with the dentist. That sounds like the policy your dentist had.

However, never forget that you are the parent. You know your child best and have to do what you feel is right for them.  My suggestion is you call around until you find a dentist who treats children that is comfortable with you coming into the operatory.

This blog is brought to you Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Lumineers and teeth grinding

I’ve never been happy with the way my smile looks. I’ve heard great things about Lumineers and would love to try them, but I also grind my teeth. Does that mean I’m not a candidate? Also, if that means I can’t get them and I don’t tell my dentist about the grinding, how long will the Lumineers last? I’m not against having them replaced at some point, but not in the very near future. I just don’t want to be told I can’t have them. I’m finally ready to do it and I’m afraid my dentist will say no.

Thanks,

Erin

 

Dear Erin,

Honesty is the best policy any time you seek medical advice. Grinding your teeth may or may not exclude you from having Lumineers done, but that’s something your dentist will need to diagnose.

Grinding and clenching will certainly reduce the longevity of your Lumineers, but it’s not possible to predict if or when they’ll fail. Impact from grinding your teeth while you sleep can be minimized or stopped with a night guard.  There are other appliances that may help during the day as well and a number of relaxation techniques that will help you overcome the daytime urge to grind or clench.

Your dentist may also recommend an alternate to Lumineers that will give you the beautiful esthetic results you want, but will stand up better to the stress you intend to put on them. Don’t think you have to go with a specific brand or style, just because it’s what you know.

One more thing to consider is that no restoration will last forever.  At some point, regardless of what you choose, it will need to be replaced. If you don’t take proper care with your restorations, they can fail in a very short period of time, but well-cared for, well-placed restorations can last decades or more. Have an honest discussion with your dentist about your circumstances and what you’d like to achieve and see what he suggests. You will be glad you did in the long run.

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

Lumineers

Are Lumineers Reversible?

My dentist has learned how to do Lumineers.  He wants to give me Lumineers for a discount in order to build up his picture gallery. He told me it was reversible if I didn’t like it. I’m just doing a quick check to make sure that is the case.

Cyndy W. – Michigan

Cyndy,

You’re dentist isn’t being thoroughly honest. While technically, you could consider Lumineers reversible because you can drill them off. That process does damage your tooth structure, which will require a seperate treatment to repair.

I think this is a disaster waiting to happen. To get certified to place Lumineers, you just have to pass a written exam.  I’d ask him more questions about his advanced cosmetic dentistry training. You don’t want a smile you’re embarassed to show publicly.

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