cosmetic dentist Archives - West Seneca Dentist

Get Rid of Dental Anxiety Forever

Posted on September 30, 2018 by iowasmiles.

I can’t seem to get to the dentist. I have pretty severe anxiety. I schedule an appointment, but always end up canceling a few days before in a panic. I’m sure that my teeth will need work. Is there any way to deal with this without expensive therapy?

Connie

Dear Connie,

Woman giving a thumbs up from a dental chair

Dental Sedation Can Rid You of Dental Anxiety Forever

You are not the only person to feel this way. I want you to know there is hope and a solution. For a bit, you will find that you’ll need to see a sedation dentist in order to deal with the anxiety and get your oral health back in order. Here’s how to approach it:

Consider What Level of Sedation You Need

With mild anxiety, I recommend nitrous oxide. This relaxes you, but you’re able to go on with your day as normal when the procedure is done. It’s commonly called laughing gas and will just put you at ease before you local anesthetic.

However, you seem to have severe anxiety. In those cases, I recommend oral conscious sedation. This is a pill you’ll take before your appointment. It completely relaxes you. In fact, it relaxes you so much you’ll be a tad loopy. Most patients end up sleeping through their appointment. You’ll have to have someone drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you after the procedure until you’re lucid again.

Choose a Sedation Dentist with Training

While dental sedation is perfectly safe, it’s always in the best interest of the patient to make sure they’re with a dentist who’s completely prepared. You want a dentist who’s been certified in sedation and knows the correct procedures in case of emergency.

Dr. Hadgis has gone above and beyond the ADA’s required training and is more than qualified to help patients with this type of work. That’s the type of dentist you want. Not just the one who does the bare minimum to offer a new service.

Always Consider the Type of Dental Work You’ll Need

Imagine finding a wonderful sedation dentist but then finding out he doesn’t know how to do some of the procedures you need for your particular dental health. Do you have particular needs? For instance, do you have a TMJ disorder? Then look for a sedation dentist who also has specialized training in treating that.

Do you need cosmetic work done? Then look for a dentist who is also an AACD accredited dentist so you can get a gorgeous smile.

One great advantage of dental sedation is the ability to get more work done in each sitting. This will enable you to get your oral health back on track sooner than would otherwise be possible.

This blog is brought to you by West Seneca Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

I Need Serious Advice from a Dentist

Posted on May 22, 2018 by iowasmiles.

I had four crowns done many years ago. I loved them. However, over seventeen years and they needed to be replaced. I’ve had them replaced twice since then. Sadly, both other dentists that did the next two sets of crowns did a horrible job. They were so ugly I was embarrassed to smile. My last dentist did an emax. They’re really thick. He said that’s because my gums are thick they had to be made that way. But, the gums are popping over my central incisors. I was pretty blunt with him that I didn’t like them. He agreed to replace them, but I’m worried. I know every time crowns are replaced the natural tooth underneath are at risk. Plus, these are bonded. I don’t want to have the teeth crumble and end up needing dental implants. What do you recommend?

Stewart N.

Dear Stewart,

I’m very glad you wrote. Your dentist is dead wrong about thick gums needing thick crowns. In fact, thick crowns can lead to a problem with the thickness of the gums, just like you’re seeing. Take a look at this picture below.

The puffiness of these gums illustrates what happens when crowns are made too thick. It’s your body’s way of protecting the space where the crown meets the tooth. Unfortunately, it also becomes a haven for bacteria, leading to gum disease. That alone can cause you to lose your teeth, needing the dental implants you’re trying to avoid.

Here’s the issue, though. E.max crowns are made of lithium disilicate, which is very strong. When you consider that in addition to the fact that they’re bonded, this is a difficult case. Your dentist would have to carefully and methodically grind them off using diamond burs. Your dentist’s incompetence in basic crown function and aesthetics makes me doubt his ability to do this. Even if he tried, I worry he wouldn’t be careful enough. But, you do need to have them removed for the reason mentioned above.

The Right Dentist to Switch Out Your Crowns

I’d like you to go to the mynewsmile.com website and look up a dentist near you that they’ve recommended. Any dentist on their site will know the procedure to safely remove your current crowns. But, I’ve got even better news for you than that!

These dentists are also expert cosmetic dentists. They can give you the beautiful smile you had with your first set of crowns which you loved so much. In fact, most of them have a beautiful smile guarantee so you won’t leave disappointed.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Why Doesn’t My Dentist Understand This Is An Emergency?

Posted on November 1, 2016 by iowasmiles.

I’m scheduled for a job interview in two days and the porcelain veneer on my front tooth decided to just fall right off. I don’t know what to do. I called my dentist’s office and he acted like it’s no big deal. He said they can’t see me for a week. My interview is well before that. He doesn’t understand how important this interview is to me. Is there anything I can do? Even just using super glue?

Anna R. – Delaware

Anna,

It sounds to me like your dentist isn’t a serious cosmetic dentist. They understand just how important these types of things are. Whatever you do, don’t use super glue. It’s really effective and your dentist will have a bit of a time getting it off. Plus, it’s not likely you’ll get it bonded with a perfect seal, which puts you at risk for decay. Additionally, if you don’t get it placed properly, you could throw off your bite and damage your other teeth.

You have two options. You can call around to other cosmetic dentists explaining your situation. One of them would likely consider it an emergency and make time to help you. Another option is to go to a drug store and get a temporary dental cement. It’s not as strong as the super glue and your dentist will be able to remove it when he has time to repair the veneer. Don’t use this option if it’s an interview over a meal. The seal is not likely to hold fast over eating and drinking.

Another thing that needs to be looked at is the reason the veneer fell off in the first place, because it shouldn’t have.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Warren Krutchick.

Help, Traveling Abroad for Affordable Dental Treatment

Posted on August 31, 2014 by niceteeth.

I need some help!

According to my dentist, I’ll need to have some extensive dental work done. She mentioned me needing a root canal, a crown put on, and a dental implant. The estimate she gave me is way more than I expected this all to cost, and since I have no dental insurance there’s no way I can afford it. But after doing some research, I’ve found a place in India that can perform all of my services for much, much less. My plan is to take a nice vacation and get the dental work I need done at the same time. So, I’m in need of some advice on how to proceed. I need to know some idea of what to expect.

Thanks,

Maureen T., San Diego, CA

Hi Maureen,

We see this question a lot. It’s very tempting to want to travel overseas in order to take advantage of lower prices, especially since the prices are normally a fraction of what they are here in the US for the same dental procedures. But less expensive doesn’t always translate to great deals. Many times you’re taking a gamble on what you’re getting because other countries don’t have to adhere to the same regulations as dentists must in the US. Sterilization of instruments and the cleanliness of the exam rooms are paramount to avoiding infections. And if something goes wrong over there, you cannot force an American dentist to correct the work if you decide that’s now what you want to do.

Try, instead, to see if you can get a local dentist to work with you. Many times payment plans are an option for patients, meaning that you won’t have to pay all the costs up front. You don’t want to risk possibly receiving substandard care that will just end up costing you more money. Think about how much it will cost you if you have to repeat getting a root canal, crown and/or dental implants done.

Hope this helps!

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS.

Too late to get implants?

Posted on July 31, 2014 by niceteeth.

So…

I used to be an amateur boxer when I was younger. I was good. Rarely got hit. But for those few times that I did, they were some hard hits. One hit resulted in me losing two of my teeth. The missing teeth were in the back of my mouth, so I didn’t do anything about the situation really. Especially since there was a chance they would just get knocked out again. Anyway, that was years ago. Now I’m getting married, and my future wife would like me to get implants to replace the missing teeth. When I went to see the dentist about it, she said she recommended my getting a bridge instead because there isn’t enough space in my mouth to insert two teeth. I don’t understand why there isn’t enough space. Should I seek a second opinion here, or is there a good explanation for this.

Thanks for your help,

Ben K., Patterson, NJ

Hi Ben,

It’s always good to seek out a second opinion, especially if you have questions about a certain procedure and your dentist isn’t properly explaining to you why you need to have it.

Okay, so let’s address why you might not have enough space for in your mouth for dental implants. When a tooth is gone from the mouth, the other teeth slowly shift to fill in the empty spaces left behind. The longer a person goes without filling the holes, the more the other teeth shift. Because you’ve had missing teeth for years, your teeth likely shifted around a lot.

That’s not to say that your only option for replacing your teeth is with a bridge; maybe that’s just all your dentist is comfortable doing. There are some pretty popular products on the market that could work for you if done by the right dentist. Mini implants are smaller than traditional implants, and a dentist might be able to fill up your missing teeth with these.

Find a cosmetic dentist who is comfortable doing this, however; better yet, see if you can find one who has done it. The more they’ve done this type of dental work the better. You don’t want to find someone who’s going to be experimenting with unfamiliar procedures for her or him in your mouth.

Get a second opinion. Make certain your smile is great for your wedding.

Hope this helps!

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS.

Pain After Cancer Treatment

Posted on April 30, 2014 by niceteeth.

Hi,

Last year was pretty rough on my teeth. In June of 2013 I was diagnosed with cancer and went through two rounds of chemo. As you can imagine, the treatment really took a toll on my teeth. I survived cancer and am now cancer-free, but every time I look in the mirror I see a reminder of what I had to go through. My mouth looks pretty bad and I’m in some pain. I’d really like to get it fixed, but I’m a little scared of the pain I might have to endure. I feel silly—I battled cancer, but I’m fearful of going to the dentist! I’d love to know what some of my options are. I’d also love to see my true smile again.

Sincerely,

Layne, NYC

Layne,

Being fearful of the dentist is extremely common so there’s no need to feel silly. I’m in awe of your courage. And the fact that you are considering tackling your dental anxiety just proves how much courage you have.

First, it is very likely that the chemo contributed to your current dental issues. The chemicals from your treatment wreak havoc on tooth enamel, making you more susceptible to tooth decay. It’s also possible to get tightness in your jaws or mouth sores, some or all of which you may be experiencing.

So you would like to know your options. I think you should definitely seek out a dentist who specializes in either gentle dentistry or sedation dentistry. These types of dentists “cater to cowards,” which means treating patient anxiety and dental fear is a component of their practice. Therefore, they make it their job to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Some perks provided by these dentists can include listening to music with noise-canceling head phone, viewing movies, enjoying refreshments, or even being offer spa-like amenities such as aromatherapy, massages or paraffin hand-wax therapy. Once you’re relaxed, the dentist will be able to do a full work up on you to assess your current oral health. Then he or she can plan the proper course of treatment.

And later, if needed, a cosmetic dentist can help fix your smile, too. There are wonderful things dentist are doing with porcelain veneers that can completely transform an undesirable smile. You just have to do a little searching to find the right dentist for you and your needs.

Also, don’t worry—you’ll find that beautiful smile again!

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS.

I think getting porcelain veneers can help me be a better stripper

Posted on March 24, 2014 by niceteeth.

Hey there,

So I have a rather large space between my front teeth and would really like to finally close it. I work as a stripper and I’m pretty sure my gap contributes to my low tips– it’s certainly not my moves. My goal is to eventually graduate college and start a whole new career. So I’d like to earn enough money and then start fresh as a closed-gap woman. Oh, and to make matters worse, just the other day during a pole routine I got a little too close to the pole and banged my mouth while performing a spin move. Now my front tooth is chipped, calling even more attention to my gap! Can Lumineers help close the gap and correct my chipped tooth? Please help!

Thanks,

Lauren, Apex, North Carolina

Hi Lauren,

I’m glad to hear you’re so confident in your dance moves — now we just have to get you to feel as confident about the way you look too.

May I suggest finding a cosmetic dentist? I’ll tell you, a good cosmetic dentist will likely suggest not using Lumineers to fix your problem. When it comes to closing up a large space, as you’ve suggested you have, using traditional porcelain veneers win out over Lumineers all the time. Why? Because sometimes Lumineers can look a bit bulky, causing an unnatural look. You don’t want that. If you’re finally taking that step to close your space, you want to make sure it looks as natural as possible.

To achieve the best esthetic results, I recommend you see a cosmetic dentist in your area. She or he will know which form of treatment will work best for you and your mouth. There are several types of porcelain veneers, let your dentist direct you in finding the right one.

Hope I’ve helped.

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS.

Missing Tooth in Denture

Posted on February 28, 2014 by niceteeth.

Hi there,

I wear a full “upper” denture. Just the other day I took them out to clean them, wasn’t paying attention, and knocked them down where they cracked against my stone floor. This caused one tooth to pop out, but not break. It is wholly intact, but now I have a missing tooth from the denture. It’s too expensive for me to have them redone. Is there anything I can buy in a drugstore or online that will help me fix it myself?

Thanks,

Lorraine, Sarasota, FL

Lorraine,

I would not recommend you trying to fix it yourself. Most denture teeth are made from a specific type of plastic formulated by a lab. When you’re under the guidance of a dentist, you can trust what’s being put into your mouth. You can expect that your denture will fit you comfortably. If you purchase something over the internet or in a drug store, how can you be sure of the chemicals that you are putting into your mouth? A dentist knows what’s safe. And he or she will also make certain your denture is repaired correctly. If you try to repair it yourself, you might not put the tooth in exactly right. A slightly off tooth can cause your mouth major irritation and/or sores.

So, I would recommend that you take your dentures back to your dentist. Listen to the dentist’s advice on what’s the best way to proceed in your case. You never know, it may be a small enough repair that the dentist can do it him or herself, which means your costs may be minimal. And if it does turn out that your denture must be repaired in a lab, see if your dentist will work with you to make your payments more affordable.

Sometimes you need to spend a little money now so that you don’t end up spending a lot of money later. Please don’t turn what could be an easy fix into a major problem by trying to do the repairs yourself. Get a professional’s assistance.

Hope that helps.

This blog is sponsored by Buffalo dentist Warren M. Krutchick, DDS.