Lexington KY Dentist Archives | Williams Family Dentistry

Pediatric Dental Filling Keeps Falling Out

Posted on May 15, 2019 by writeradmin.

I took my daughter to see the dentist a couple of months ago. I was a bit surprised when he said my daughter had three cavities. I’m very diligent with her dental care and even brush after her if I don’t think she’s been through enough. However, I agreed to the fillings as long as he did the white fillings. He didn’t have a problem with that. Unfortunately, every one of the fillings has fallen out…twice! I don’t know if this dentist knows what he’s doing. Should I go elsewhere? We’re a small area and not many dentists do white fillings out here.

Miranda

Dear Miranda,

Based on what you’ve said, I think it’s possible that your dentist did the white fillings just to make you happy but isn’t as experienced with them as with the amalgam fillings. Their bonding methods are completely different. Without adequate experience with then, he may not realize how important it is they stay dry during the bonding process.

If any moisture gets under the filling it breaks the bond. With children especially, this can be challenging. They are wiggly and move their tongues quite a bit. There are methods a dentist can use with children to help keep it dry but he may not be aware of these. Additionally, even with those methods, some children just have trouble cooperating with this particular procedure.

Helping Wiggly Children Get White Fillings

Don’t feel bad if your daughter is one of the wiggly ones. Children are supposed to be wiggly. It’s part of their charm. However, medical procedures sometimes require them to be still. In that case, many dentists will suggest some form of dental sedation. Even a mild sedation, such as nitrous oxide, can put a little one to sleep allowing the dentist to get straight on with the work at hand.

As far as seeing another dentist, you could look for a mercury-free dentist and see if they work with children. A general dentist is qualified to work with children, so you wouldn’t necessarily have to see another pediatric dentist. Each of them did a pediatric rotation. You would want to make sure they enjoy children though. This way your daughter is more likely to have a positive experience.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Can I Get All My Work Done at Once?

Posted on April 13, 2019 by writeradmin.

I need a lot of dental work done. I need three root canal treatments with dental crowns and four other cavities to fill. I’d like to get it done all in one appointment to avoid multiple trips to the dentist. Sort of take a personal day at work and be done with it. Is that possible.

Elliot

Dear Elliot,

Woman asleep from dental sedation — Sedation dentistry is sometimes called sleep dentistry…for a reason.

You are a brave person. Most people try to avoid dental work and you’re ready to jump right in there all at once. Every dentist has different policies when it comes to how much work they are willing to do at once.

You will find that the dentists who are willing to do the most in one sitting are sedation detnists.

For the level of work you are looking at you’ll want a dentist who does oral conscious sedation. This will make you very sleepy. Most patients sleep through the appointment, which is in part why you can have so much done in one appointment.

However, the sedation is so strong you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You’ll also need them to stay with you while you recoorperate throughout the day. You’ll want them there until you are lucid and able to easily get around.

Cosmetic Considerations

You’re having a lot of work done, including dental crowns. You didn’t say where the crowns were. In case they will be visible when you smile, I want you to be aware about coloring.

The color of the crowns created for your teeth undergoing the root canal treatment is permanent. If you are pleased with the current color of your teeth than there is nothing further to think about.

However, if you’ve ever toyed with the idea of whitening them, the time to do it is before your have your dental crowns made. This saves you the money of having to re-do them after you whiten them later.

I know you like doing things quickly, so ask your dentist about in-office teeth whitening. This whitens your teeth completely in just one appointment.

Best of luck to you.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Affordable Dentists Who Do a Good Job?

Posted on March 27, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m looking for an affordable dentist, but one who actually does a good job. The ones I’ve looked up with affordable prices have not had good reviews. I need a lot of work and can’t just afford to put out a ton of money. I am hoping to find a decent one, but who doesn’t cost a fortune.

Lily

Dear Lily,

Woman giving thumbs up in a dental chair

There is a big difference between affordable dentists and cheap dentists. Cheap dentists, those who’s prices are lower than most market rates, are usually that way for one of two reasons:

They aren’t good dentists. They can’t retain patients so use low prices to constantly bring in new ones.
They cut corners by using lower quality materials to keep prices down without hurting profits too much.

Neither of these are scenarios you’d want for your own oral health care.

Finding Quality Affordable Dental Care

Price isn’t nearly as important as the quality of the work being done. If you had a dental crown which cost $300 and another which cost $700, you’d think the $300 crown would be more affordable. But, what if that crown only lasts three years and the more “expensive” crown is so well made it lasts twenty years. Which would you consider more affordable now?

What you want is a dentist who does quality work but is willing to do two things to help with cost:

First, they’ll do something called phased treatment. This allows you to get your treatment done i stages, instead of all the work needed at once. He or she can list for you which work is most urgent and work out a plan that allows you to get the work done within a budget.

Second, they offer payment plans. They can do this in-house or through a group called care credit. This is a medical credit card which offers low and 0% interest rates, with no penalty for early pay off.

Make sure whoever you use, you check their reviews. This should help you get an idea of the experience actual patients have had with his work. Though, you have already learned this trick.

What you don’t want to do is put off the most urgent treatment. Then, you’ll end up needing an emergency dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Kentucky Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Dentist Won’t See Me Until the Afternoon

Posted on January 30, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m so angry I don’t know what to do. I had a temporary crown on my front tooth and it just fell off. I called my dentist first thing and he said he can’t see me until this afternoon. What the heck? I have a nub for a tooth. Why can’t he see me first thing? Isn’t this a dental emergency?

Sunny

Dear Sunny,

First, take a deep breath. I know you are frustrated and what you have going on is important. That is why your dentist is fitting you in the same day. It isn’t uncommon for a temporary crown to have a problem. They’re meant to be easily removable. However, one falling off isn’t considered a dental emergency.

Your dentist was smart to get you in that day instead of waiting for the next regular appointment or until your permanent porcelain crown was ready. If he’d left it a few days, your adjacent teeth could have shifted in the empty space. Then when he tried to put the crown in, it would no longer fit.

Your dentist is looking out for you by seeing you the same day. I know it is a cosmetic inconvenience and I’m sure it makes it even more awkward being a front tooth.

If you absolutely can’t wait, you could try to call around to some other local dentists to see if they’re having a slow day. They may be able to bond it back on for you. Otherwise, you may have to just wait for the afternoon. Look at it as a chance to hide out at home and catch up on a show you’ve been meaning to watch or maybe read a good book.

Before you know it, you’ll be back to smiling with your temporary crown back firmly in place. Be easy on it until the permanent one comes in.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Alternatives to Dentures

Posted on December 26, 2018 by writeradmin.

I have had dentures for a few years and I’m absolutely sick of them. I’ve given it the old college try but I can’t go any further. There have to be other options. Tell me what you’ve got.

Victor

Dear Victor

You are definitely not alone in your dislike of dentures. They have a lot of disadvantages. Even the best fitting dentures reduce your chewing capacity by 50%. They slip and slide around. However, their biggest disadvantage is the way your body responds to them.

When your teeth are removed, your body recognizes the roots of your teeth are no longer there. Recognizing that and given how efficiently our bodies were designed, it begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use somewhere it perceives those minerals will be of more use.

The result of that is known as facial collapse because as more and more of the minerals are used elsewhere, your jawbone shrinks until there’s not enough left to even support your dentures.

The Best Alternative to Dentures

There’s one procedure which rises above the rest in the tooth replacement pool— dental implants. I’m honestly shocked your dentist didn’t suggest them to begin with. A good dentist lets you know what all your options in treatment are.

With dental implants, as you can see at the picture above, a prosthetic root is implanted into your jawbone. In the second phase, which is done after healing has taken place, either dental crowns will be placed or (depending on how many teeth you’re replacing) a full set of dentures can be anchored to the implants.

In an almost complete 180 to dentures, these have many advantages. First, it’s like having healthy natural teeth again. They’re permanent. They’re secure. Your chewing capacity will return to 100%. You can eat whatever you want and brush and floss as you would with your natural teeth.

However, their most important advantage is they will completely prevent facial collapse.

Talk to a dentist who has a lot of experience in dental implants. They should have a 98% success rate.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

How Do I Get an Affordable Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Posted on December 15, 2018 by writeradmin.

I haven’t been to the dentist before. My parents never took me growing up and I just kept putting it off as an adult because it didn’t seem important. I’ve never felt very healthy and recently learned that some people who always feel bad but don’t have a medical problem, usually have an underlying dental problem. I decided that might be me and it’s time to get my mouth checked out. I’m really glad I did. He said I need a full mouth reconstruction. The price was astronomical. Is there a way to make this more affordable?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

The cost of dental care shouldn’t make you want to hide. There are affordable dentists.

I’ll say right off the bat that I think it’s fantastic you’ve taken this step to get healthy teeth and gums. You’re going to feel worlds better. That being said, I’m not convinced you need a full mouth reconstruction.

You gave no indication that your mouth had extensive decay or that you were in pain a lot. You just mentioned possible underlying dental causes. I don’t want you being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous dentist who sees a newbie coming a mile away.

Because of that, I’d like you to get a second opinion. You can probably find a dentist who does free second opinions. Or, if there’s not one in your area, the nearest decent sized city should have either a school for hygienists or a dental school. They’ll usually do exams and cleanings for around $50. Not bad.

When getting a second opinion, never tell them the first diagnosis or who the dentist was you saw. If they ask, tell them you just want their untainted opinion. The reason for that is if they happen to be buddies with the other dentist they might feel guilty countering his or her opinion. This way you get their honest, unswayed thoughts.

While you are likely to need more than the average amount of work, including some fillings and possibly a dental crown, I’d be surprised if you really needed a full-mouth reconstruction.

Affording Extensive Dental Work

Let’s say for the sake of argument I’m completely wrong and you do need extensive work done. There are affordable ways to get good dental care. However, full-mouth reconstructions are very advanced, complicated procedures which aren’t taught in general dental school. It takes a great deal of planning to do correctly. It would be best if you sought out the right dentist to do it and worked out phased treatment to make the cost more do-able. There are qualified dentists who will help with payments.

For now, get that second opinion. If it turns out you do need a that full-mouth reconstruction, write back and I’ll help you find the right dentist in your area to do it.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.

Whitening a Discolored Crown

Posted on September 1, 2018 by writeradmin.

I have a dental crown which can be seen when I smile. It’s started getting darker than usual. I don’t know what happened. I’ve had it for a bit so maybe it’s just wearing out?? I need to get it whitened, but don’t know what procedure to ask for. I thought while I was at it, I’d whiten my teeth too and start with a brand new smile. What do I do for the crown?

Amanda

Dear Amanda,

If this staining started suddenly, it sounds like something recently happened to your crown which removed the glazing from it. Unfortunately, the only solution for a stained crown is to replace it. If you’ve had it for a while, it was probably getting close to the end of its lifespan anyway, so that won’t be as tragic as if it was a fairly new crown.

Teeth whitening only works on natural tooth structure. While we can make a dental crown or bridge any color the patient requests, We don’t yet have a way to whiten dental work which is already completed.

However, this doesn’t have to interfere with your plans to renew your smile through whitening.

Do You Need a Cosmetic or General Dentist for Teeth Whitening?

While there are certain procedures which really require some artistic expertise in cosmetic dentistry, such as porcelain veneers, that’s not the case with teeth whitening. Any general dentist should be able to provide it.

There are generally two main professional teeth whitening options: in-office and at-home. Most dentists offer at-home whitening. But, if you’re wanting to whiten your teeth fast, you’ll want a dentist who offers an in-office option, such as Zoom! Whitening. This allows you to get your teeth whitened in just one appointment.

When it comes to which came first the chicken or the egg, there’s still debate. However, the question of the crown or the whitening is much easier. Do the teeth whitening first. That way, you’ll have all your teeth the color you want and your new porcelain crown can be made to match.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. John Weaver.