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  • Pediatric dentist insists my children have separate appointments

    I have twin three year old boys.  They’re not naughty, but they do have a lot of energy can have trouble sititng through an entire appointment. My dentist said I have to bring them seperately so I can give my full attention to the child he’s treating.  He expects them to sit there and not ask questions or talk.  I feel not only is this unrealistic, but it is not feasible for me. I can’t spent twice the time with dental appointments and pay for a sitter every time.  Is this really what is to be expected with dental appointments? These are my first children and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.

    Orianna K. – New Mexico

    Orianna,

    Three year olds generally can’t sit for a complete appointment like adults can, but every dentist has different ideas as to how they want to run things. My initial thought is that this is not the best pediatric dentist for your family.

    You’ll want one who is comfortable working with young, wiggly patients. It doesn’t just have to be a pediatric specialist. It could also be a general dentist who loves working with children.  They’re completely qualified to meet the dental needs of your children.

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

  • Fixing stained, crooked teeth without braces…and fast?

    I have teeth that overlap a little in the front. That looks bad enough, but they’re also pretty stained.  I mean ugly stained. Is there anyway I can fix these really fast and without braces?  I know I’m asking a lot.

    Marisa – El Paso

    Marisa,

    Well, consider me Santa Claus, because I have some good news for you.  There is a way to do all of that and more…fast.

    Talk to a cosmetic dentist about Lumineers. Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers. They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. They can even make your crooked teeth look straight.

    Make sure you go to a cosmetic dentist who offers a beautiful smile guarantee, like Dr. Peck does.

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

  • What do you do if you want dental implants, but can’t afford them?

    I have lost a tooth and feel humiliated every time I smile.  What do i do if I can’t afford a dental implant, but am desperate to get one?

    Alexa- L.A.

    Alexa,

    It’s good that you’re looking at getting a dental implant.  It’s the tooth replacement procedures that will actually help you retain your jawbone.  With other procedures, such as dentures, your jaw bone begins to degrade.

    I know they can be expensive, but an affordable dentist, like Dr. Peck, there are ways to get affordable dental care, even for dental implant procedures.

    There are payment plans available from most dentists, through care credit. They have low and even no-interest payment plans.  Another option is to get mini implants.  These are more affordable and can help you jaw bone stay in place while you save up for there stronger counterparts.

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

  • This woman can’t afford NOT to go to the dentist

    I can’t really afford a dentist, but lately some of my teeth seem to be a little loose. I brush regularly. Is there anything I can do to ensure they stay?

    Melissa – New Hampshire

    Melissa,

    I know it is difficult when you’re on a tight budget, but this is one of those situations where you can’t afford not to get dental treatment.  I suspect you have gingivitis–likely in the advanced stages.  If you don’t get some sort of treatment soon, you’re very likely to lose your teeth.

    There are ways to get treatment within your budget. Dr. Peck has some excellent examples of how to get affordable dentistry on his website.

    Call around to some dentists in your area.  Explain your situation and see who is willing to work with you. You’re bound to find a few who are wiling to work with you.

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

  • Does a child’s molar HAVE to be removed?

    My son has an infected molar.  The dentist is recommending it be extracted. Is that necessary before they even try a treatment?

    Olivia M. – Massachusetts

    Olivia,

    Adult tooth infections can often be treated with a root canal.  children’s teeth can sometimes be treated with a similar procedure called a pulpotomoy. However, with molars this never works.  If the tooth is infected it will have to be extracted.

    Make sure your pediatric dentist also places a space maintainer where the tooth was.  It will be many years until his adult molar comes in.  You don’t want his teeth tipping or shifting into that place.  It will cause crowding and other orthodonitic problems later on.

    You also don’t want to leave the infection.  It will spread and cause other serious problems.

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

     

  • Do my teeth have to be shaved? I got lumineers so they didn’t.

    I purposefully told my dentist I wanted lumineers because I was told they were no prep. Now my dentist said he’ll need to shave my teeth. That is not what was advertised.  Did Lumineers lie about the non-prep or my dentist about needing to shave my teeth?

    Douglass D.- Montana

    Douglass,

    Neither are lying to you.  Lumineers can be placed without any tooth preparation. The advertisements are true. However, as is true with many things in life, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

    If your dentist is telling you he’ll need to do preparation on your tooth, he has a reason.  It’s likely that your smile would look bulky and unnatural without some tooth preparation.

    Though you may have heard the term shaving, that sounds much worse than it is.  In reality, it removes about the depth of your fingernail. In fact, there is so little tooth structure removed from a ttoh, that you can’t tell the difference by looking.

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

  • Free dentistry at dental schools?

    I’ve heard that you can get free dentistry at dental schools. Is that true? How do you find them?

    Mark A. – Little Rock, AR

    Mark,

    Many dental schools will do cleanings and check ups at a significantly discounted price.  Not all of them will do any other type of dental work, so you may find that while you can get your teeth cleaned at their clinic, if they discover a problem, you will still need to see a professional dental clinic. That doesn’t mean it has to cost you a fortune.

    There are affordable dentists out there who do quality work.  Some advertise as affordable dentists and some don’t, but are willing to work with you financially if you speak with them ahead of time.  Communication with your dentist is the key.

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

  • Need a dentist I can afford

    I’ve never gone to a dentist. I’ve never really had problems with my teeth either, but now that I’m an adult i’d like to go.  I just finished college. I have a job, but it doesn’t provide dental and I’ve go loads of student loans.  I don’t know where to start in finding a dentist. I don’t even know how much it is supposed to be.

    Daniel – Ft. Smith, AR

    Daniel,

    Congratulations for graduating college AND getting a job.  Those are two things that rarely happen together these days.  It’s scary getting started on adult life, but it is great that you are taking your oral health seriously. Don’t worry, there are affordable dentists.

    To find out the norm for pricing in your area, I would call about 5 or 6 dentists at random and ask their prices for cleanings, filling, and crowns. That sampling should give you a reasonable range of what to expect.

    After that, see what kind of reviews the ones that are closest to you get. Check to see if the ones you’re interested in have payment options that work with your budget. Their website should give you some indication of how they handle payments.

    When you’ve done your legwork, you’re ready to schedule an appointment with your first choice and see how you like him or her.

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

     

  • My dentist is ruining my date

    I have a dental crown that has fallen off twice.  My dentist has always squeezed me in the same day.  Today it fell out again, but toward the end of the day on a Friday.  My dentist said he can’t see me until Monday. The crown is on a front tooth and I have a date with a guy I’ve been trying to go out with forever. I will be humiliated to go on a date with a stub front tooth. I explained that to him, but he said it’s not an emergency and he has plans.  Is there a way I can glue this on?

    Samantha H. – Ohio

    Samantha,

    I have to say that I’m not impressed with your dentist.  He should absolutely see you today, but expecially because he can’t seem to bond your crown on properly.  It wouldn’t take him that long to do it poorly yet again. Though it technically isn’t a dental emergency, it wouldn’t kill him to have some compassion.

    However, him not helping you is a blessing in disguise. He obviously doesn’t know what he’s doing. This is the perfect time for you get a new dentist. Don’t try to glue this on yourself. It would be very difficult for you to get it in at just the right angle. You could end up in pain or shifting your other teeth.

    Call around to some dentists near by you, explaining your situation.  I’m wiling to bet there will be more than one willing to help you.

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

  • Dentist accused of sexually assaulting teen

    Our dentist has been accused of sexually assaulting a teen. I actually found out when I was going in for an appointment and there were police and a crime scene unit parked there.  I found out what happened and tore out of there. Now I’ve found out that he’s back practicing the day after being arrested.  Is that legal?  I don’t feel safe taking my daughter there.  Is there a way  to protect our children at the dentists?

    Concerned mom from Little Rock, AR

    Dear concerned mom,

    I did a quick internet search and found the story you are talking about.  I can understand you not wanting to take a chance exposing your daughter to a potentially dangerous situation.  Though do bear in mind that everyone is presumed innocent until proved guilty.  I’m not saying that to try to guilt you into bringing your daughter. It’s your job to protect your daughter as best you can.

    Before you panic, bear in mind that, by far, the majority ( I would venture to guess 99.9%) of pediatric dentists are perfectly safe.  We want to protect our children without putting them in a bubble. They have to be able to function as adults.  What I would do  is get to know your pediatric dentist.  Some will even let parents back in the operatory. Then, as you get to know him or her, go with your gut.  A mother’s intuition is a marvelous thing.

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

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