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

I can’t afford a dental implant

I have a problem and I don’t know what to do. I am having a tooth extracted. My dentist says I have to get a dental implant. However, between the surgery and the restoration, I just can’t afford it. What do I do? I don’t want to leave an empty space in my mouth.

Yvette L. – Maryland

Yvette,

What your dentist is doing is unethical.  He is supposed to give you all your options, not just insist on the ideal treatment. Everybody is on a different budget.

There are other more affordable dental options for your situation. If you can’t afford a dental implant, maybe you can afford a dental bridge or a removable partial denture. If even those are out of your reach, you could get a dental flipper. They are meant to be temporary, but it can fill in if you’re in a pinch and need to save up for a more permanent solution.

I hope this helps.

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

 

Affordable Dentist

More affordable dentistry in Mexico

I cannot afford some of the dental work my dentist says I’ll need. It is way more affordable if I go across the border to Mexico. I was hoping you can give me some hints on ways to make sure it is a positive experience.

Hannah S. – Little Rock, AR

Hannah,

There is no way to ensure a positive experience in Mexico. I know it may seem like it is more affordable, but I want to give you some things to think about before you make a final decision.  There are some very good reasons that costs are higher in the United States.  You think about whether or not these are worth the extra cost.

First, in the U.S. we have laws about sterilization of dental equipment and cleanliness of the office. You will find no such laws on the books in Mexico.  While there are plenty of dentists who would voluntarily keep things clean and sterile, it is not something I would like to wonder about when I’m about to get a procedure done.

Secondly, dentists in Mexico do not have to have malpractice insurance. You might initially think that is great and just makes things more affordable for everyone all around, but ask yourslef what recourse you would have if something went wrong.

That insurance actually helps protect you too. There is a system in place in Mexico for filing complaints through the government. However, most foreigners would find the system confusing and you’d have to know all the rules and regulations. Plus, the while their government will mediate, they will not force a dentist to correct his work or refund your money, so you’ll be left holding the bag.

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

Emergency Dentist

Dr. Peck- A Dentist Who Cares

Many patients say they care about their patients, but Dr. Peck goes the extra mile. He lives within a few miles of his practice, specifically in case his patients need him. He wanted to be there for his patients when they had a dental emergency.

If you’re a dental patient of Dr. Peck’s be assured he is there for you.  But, unlike some dentists Dr. Peck will be there for you even if you’re not a patient. If you’re in dental pain, call him.  He’ll see you the same day, whether or not you are a current patient.

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

Emergency Dentist

Will an emergency dentist turn me in?

I have a dental emergency, but I got into this situation doing something not quite legal.  I think my dentist will need to know what happened in order to fix it. Will an emergency dentist turn me in?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I’m glad you’re willing to be honest with your dentist even though the situation is touchy.  Be assured that your dentist is a medical professional.  If he or she feels that you are not a danger to yourself or anyone else, they’ll not have any reason to turn you in.

If, however, they think you will do self-harm or are a risk to someone else’s life, then they’ll probably report the situation.

I hope this helps.  Don’t avoid going to the dentist, especially in a dental emergency  because of this.  If necessary, you could get a little creative describing the cause of the injury.  Just be sure to be competely frank about the injury itself so the dentist can treat you appropriately.

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

Lumineers

Is Lumineers the Best Brand?

I am finally ready to do something about my teeth and am getting procelain veneers.  I’m trying to figure out which brand. Is Lumineers the best brand?

Denise L. – Albion, AR

Denise,

I hope you will forgive me, but I think you are going about this completely the wrong way. Instead of picking the best veneer, you need to pick the best dentist.

Each different brand of porcelain veneer is different. They all have there own strengths and weaknesses.  These differences are known by a good cosmetic dentist.

Lumineers are a good brand. They work well with some patients, but others may need a different brand depending on their case and the type of smile design.

Your task would be to find a good cosmetic dentist and let them help you determine which brand would best fit you.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affordable Dentist

Finding Affordable Dentistry

When you’re looking for an affordable dentist, you don’t want to sacrifice quality.  I don’t necessarily recommend going to the least expensive dentist. That could mean a compromise in the quality of materials.  For instance, if a dentist has significantly cheaper costs for dental implants, he can afford to have significantly lower prices. But, what if those costs savings came at the expense of quality implants? Then, you’re no longer saving money, but risking your health.

But, an affordable dentist isn’t an anomaly. There are other ways to keep costs down.  One is to place your practice in a more affordable area. Lower overhead means savings for patients without sacrificing quality.

For instance, Peck Family Dentistry is just about 4 miles outside of Scottsdale. this allows us to serve both the people of Scottsdale and Phoenix.  Our overhead is lower than if we were just four miles east and we pass those savings on to our patients.

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

Lumineers

My Lumineers are too dark

I got some lumineers, but they are darker than my regular teeth. My dentist says they’re fine, but it is obvious they are not. Do I have any recourse?

Pamela H. – Boston, MA

Pamela,

If by recourse you mean a refund, it is possible, but may be difficult.  Technically, if the Lumineers are functional, then he isn’t under any professional obligation to refund your money. Depending on his personal code of ethics, he may give you a hard time.

But, that doesn’t mean things are hopeless. You can go to a different cosmetic dentist and get his/her opinion on the Lumineers. If they agree with you, they could write to the dentist and put a little pressure on him.  He may give you at least a partial refund to protect his reputation.

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

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentist Insists on Amalgam Fillings- What Should I Do?

My 6 year old was recently at the pediatric dentist and it was discovered that he has two cavities. Even though my son is cooperative, the dentist says she has to use amalgam fillings because she won’t be able to keep my son’s mouth dry enough to use the tooth-colored ones. I told her that I’m not comfortable with putting mercury in my child’s mouth, but she insists it’s safe and that since these are baby teeth, they will fall out soon anyway. I don’t know what to do. Do I need to find a new pediatric dentist, can I take my son to my regular dentist or do I need to find some sort of specialty dentist?

Thank you,

Emilia- Ft. Worth, TX

 

Dear Emilia,

There’s a growing movement in dentistry to end the use of amalgam fillings and many people share the same concerns as you. However, both the FDA and the ADA agree that amalgam fillings pose no risk to your health and they are still a viable solution in situations like your son’s.

As your pediatric dentist explained, in order for composite fillings (the tooth-colored ones) to adhere properly, the tooth needs to stay dry. Even the most well behaved child can become fidgety during a procedure. Something as simple as your son slightly moving his tongue can contaminate the filling preparation and will require that the dentist start over or, if it goes unnoticed, will weaken the bond. This means that a composite filling may not be a long-term solution, as the filling may fall out and the child will have to continually return to have it replaced. For this reason, some dentists feel that providing a composite filling is a substandard treatment and will not do them in these situations.

That being said, you are the child’s mother. You must do what you feel is best for your son. If you are still uncomfortable with amalgam fillings and your pediatric dentist will not consider doing composites, your only real option is to find a dentist who will. This is truly a matter of the dentist’s preference. I wouldn’t insist your dentist do the procedure, because she probably can’t and will not say that to you. That will put your son’s treatment at risk. You may find success in another pediatric dental practice, in a general office or in a holistic office. Go wherever you feel most comfortable.  Best of luck to you and your son.

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

Dentures

Got dentures- now I can’t eat

I’m really unhappy with my dentures.  I’ve had them about two weeks and I just can’t eat anymore. I’ve already lost weight. I was very slender to begin with so I can’t afford to lose much more. My dentist isn’t listening to me. He tells me they are fine and I just need time to get used to them. Is there anything I can do?

Elise L. – Montana

Elise,

Before you got dentures, your dentist was under an ethical obligation to share all the treatment options with you. If he didn’t, I would have serious concern about continuing your care with him. Plus, when you’re frustrated and hungry, it doesn’t help to have a dentist that isn’t listening to you.

 No matter how well fitting someone’s dentures are, they will lose about 50% of your chewing capacity. Though some people seem to survive the change, others find it a misery.  Eventually your dentures will start to slip as well. That is the bad news.
The good news is you have options. The best option, before you even got dentures, is to get dental implants. This does require a surgical procedure and is more expensive than dentures, but it will be like having your own teeth again.
If you can’t afford that, there is a procedure using mini implants that can anchor your dentures. This will improve your eating facility.
I’m sorry for what you are going through.
This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

 

Pediatric Dentistry

Teeth Grinding in Children

Q. Lately I’ve noticed my 3 year old grinds his teeth. He grinds mostly when he’s asleep, but sometimes while he’s awake too. He doesn’t seem to be bothered, but the sound of his teeth crunching goes right through me! Is this a habit I should try to break or get help for? What kind of damage can it cause?

A. I know it’s troublesome for parents to hear, but some teeth grinding in toddlers is normal. This is a habit that usually starts at about 3 ½ and goes through age 6. Experts aren’t exactly sure why toddlers grind their teeth. Many things from anxiety to pain from earaches and teething, and even malocclusion of teeth are said to be a possible contributing factor. However disconcerting, your child will likely outgrow it.  Sometimes incorporating an extra soothing bedtime routine or administering a dose of Tylenol if you know they are teething can help eliminate some issues that may be contributing. Make sure you have your child checked though if he or she are complaining of face or jaw pain. Whatever the cause, it’s likely not doing any damage to their teeth. A vast majority of kids just stop on their own, so as quickly as you noticed it, it can be gone!