Dr. Noah's Dentistry Blog

Questions About Dentistry Answered

Can I Charge My Assailant for My Dental Appointment?

by

I was at a frat party and was assaulted by a guy from another frat. He knocked out one of my teeth. I’m ended up going to an emergency dentist but he couldn’t save my tooth and now I have to have an implant too. Can I charge the guy who caused the problem for these?

Adam

Dear Adam,

Woman with boxing glove hitting man in face

Who Pays for Emergency Dental Appointments When You’ve Been Hit?

First, I’m sorry you were in a fight. That must have put a real damper on the party. A dentist, even an emergency dentist, can only charge the person who received the services unless they’re a minor. I’m assuming because you were at a frat party you’ve reached the age of majority.

This doesn’t mean you can’t get your cost recouped. You have a couple of options there. First, you can see if he’s a young man of integrity. If he is, he’ll be willing to help cover your costs. I’d just talk to him about it. Maybe in the sober light of day, he’ll see things more reasonably.

If he doesn’t take responsibility, you can always take him to court. Normally, in a situation like that, it would be small claims court. However, if you need a dental implant that will go over the limit for small claims court and you would take it to the next level.

When to See an Emergency Dentist

You were smart to go to an emergency dentist when your tooth was knocked out. To have the best chance of saving a tooth, you need to be receiving treatment within 30 minutes of losing the tooth. Also, be careful not to touch the roots of the tooth. Only handle it by the crown. It sounds like you tried to do that. Maybe the damage was just too extensive to do anything.

So you know for future reference, there are other reasons to go in for an emergency dental appointment as well.

  • A Toothache

Usually, a toothache is a sign something is wrong. It can often mean an infection. If you see a pimple on your gums it means the infection has progressed enough where it will require a root canal treatment. Other times it can just mean you’ve got a cavity that is close to the pulp and causing pain. You’ll want to get in as soon as possible to ensure the least invasive treatment possible.

  • A Graying Tooth

If you have a tooth that is turning gray, it means the tooth is either dead or dying. It will become a harbor for bacteria. The sooner you go in and get a root canal treatment and dental crown, the better.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Third Crown in Six Years from “Affordable Dentist”

by

I’m at my wit’s end. I needed a dental crown because I broke a tooth. I didn’t have a lot of money at the time so I called around to call the most affordable dentist. I think it was a horrible decision. In the last six years, he’s replaced my “affordable crown” twice and it just broke a third time. At this rate, I could have gone to the most expensive dentist in the city and gotten a crown practically made of gold. Do I have a case for a refund?

Lana

porcelain crown being placed on prepared tooth

Yikes! I hate to hear you’ve been going through this. As you’ve unfortunately experienced, cheap is not always affordable. You’re talking about three crowns in just six years. Generally, a crown should last five years at a minimum. So, three crowns should be 15+ years. A well-done crown will last longer than five years, but I’m talking the minimum expectation.

Because of that, I think you’re well within your right to ask for a refund and then have this third crown re-done by a different dentist.

Ways to Have Affordable Dentistry with Quality

First, don’t just look for the dentist with the cheapest price. Some dentists have the cheapest price simply because they’re not that great and need low prices to draw patients in. Other times, they use low-quality materials in order to make up the profits they lose through their lower prices. Both of these “conveniences” end up hurting the patient.

Instead, look for dentists who do quality work but are willing to work with their patients financially. For instance, Dr. Noah does this three different ways.

  • Dental Payment Plans
  • Phased Treatment Plans
  • Alternate Treatment Plans

You can read Dr. Noah’s affordable dentist page to learn more.

Who Should Fix this Crown?

I know you’ll want another dentist to make your next crown, just don’t put it off too long. Even just a few days can cause your teeth to shift. I’d call around to some reputable dentists in your area and explain what’s going on. I’m sure more than one of them would be willing to work you in as an emergency dental appointment. Just be sure to check their reviews to see if they do quality work.

I’m assuming because you called around about crown prices you don’t have a regular dentist. I don’t know if that’s because of financial reasons or because of dental anxiety. Many people who’ve had a traumatic experience from a rough or insensitive dentist find it difficult to go back. You should be able to tell from their reviews whether or not people have had good experiences with them.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Dentist Told Me to Go to Orthodontist Not Cosmetic Dentist

by

I have a gap between my teeth I want to fix with cosmetic dentistry. I’d asked my dentist for a referral but he says that’s a waste of money and I should see an orthodontist. I’m too old for a mouth full of metal. Besides, it’s my money, if it’s more expensive but works I’ll be happy. I don’t want to be a metal mouth at 42.

Lara M.

Dear Lara,

A woman placing her Invisaliagn aligners

Orthodontics no longer mean metal braces

The only time cosmetic dentistry is a waste of money is if you go to a bad cosmetic dentist. It sounds to me like your family dentist is feeling a little salty about you asking to see a cosmetic dentist, probably because he hasn’t developed his skill set to include cosmetic work.

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty with the American Dental Association (ADA). Instead, it’s general dentists who’ve invested time in learning the cosmetic procedures. Obviously, some dentists will be better than others, so you have to be careful.

Are Orthodontics the Only Solution for a Tooth Gap?

There are several solutions for a tooth gap, but let’s look at the orthodontic ones first. Obviously, you already know about the traditional metal braces. But, there have been significant advances in orthodontics since you were a child. We now have braces that you can’t even see.

If you look at the image above you see a woman placing clear aligners onto her teeth in the first picture. The second picture beneath that is her with the aligners on. As you see, there’s no way to tell she’s wearing anything on her teeth. This is Invisalign. It uses sets of clear aligners to straighten your teeth which are not visible even at a conversational distance.

But, let’s say you still don’t want orthodontics. That’s okay. The most common solution for a tooth gap is dental bonding. It uses a composite resin to fill in the gap. A good cosmetic dentist will make it blend seamlessly in with your natural tooth structure.

If there are more things about your teeth you’d like to change than just a gap, you might consider porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers completely remake a smile. They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Can Emergency Dentist Save Tooth Hit by Baseball?

by

I was playing a game of baseball with some neighborhood kids when one of the balls went flying and hit me in the mouth. I originally thought I was fine because it didn’t bleed or bruise. But this morning the tooth is wiggly and loose. Is there a way to save it or is it toast?

Payson

Dear Payson,

Woman Smiling Text: A smile is the best makeup any girl can wear

It’s very possible your dentist or an emergency dentist if you don’t have one can save your tooth. But two things need to happen for you to have the best shot.

Stop wiggling it.

Your tooth has ligaments that are a bit stretchy, like rubber bands. But, just like rubber bands, if you stretch them too far or too often and they’ll snap or lose their elasticity. This puts your tooth at greater risk.

Get to the Emergency Dentist

You’ll want to get in as quickly as possible. The longer this is left that way the less chance you have to save it. The dentist can stabilize the tooth by using a splint or bonding the tooth to a stable adjacent tooth. That may be all that’s needed. It gives the ligaments time to heal. However, if the pulp of the tooth was damaged, you’ll need a root canal treatment and dental crown.

What if the tooth can’t be saved?

If it’s not possible to save the tooth you have several replacement options. The top of the line replacement is a dental implant. However, if either of the adjacent teeth is in need of a dental crown, then a dental bridge may make more sense.

If both of those options are out of your current budget, you can either find an affordable dentist who’s willing to work with you on payments or get a removable partial denture until you can afford a more stable replacement.

Either way, you need to be seen right away. This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

What if I Can’t Afford My Dental Procedure?

by

I’m in need of replacing several teeth and my dentist is insisting I get dental implants. What do I do if I can’t afford the procedure? Are there options? Do I just leave the spaces blank?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Image of a traditional implant and the more affodable mini implant

A traditional dental implant compared to a mini implant

It actually makes me angry when I hear about situations like yours. Yes, dental implants are the ideal procedure when you’re talking about replacing several teeth, especially because of the possibility of facial collapse. But, they’re not the only procedure. His job, as your dentist, is to provide you an explanation of all the options available to you, give his recommendations and why, then let you decide. Not everyone is working under the same budget.

Finding Affordable Dental Options

In your situation you have several choices.

  1. Affordable dental implants. Things like implant overdentures are a great option when you can’t afford the ideal. You’re certainly not the only one facing this, so don’t feel badly about it.
  2. A Dental Bridge. Depending on how many teeth you’re talking about, this could be a great secondary option, especially if any of the adjacent teeth are in need of a crown anyway.
  3. A removable partial denture. This would be my least favorite option because your quality of living won’t be as high, but it is still an option. It can often be used as a temporary solution while you work out financing for the ideal.
  4. Payment Plans. Many dentists work to be affordable, do that by offering payment plans so you can get the care you need, then slowly pay it off. Some do in-house payment plans. Other dentists use Care Credit—a medical credit card that offers low and no interest payment plans.

This is the minimum amount of information your dentist should have provided you. If you’re not getting the whole picture, you might be better served getting your oral healthcare elsewhere.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Can I Trust My Dentist About Dental Implants?

by

I’ve lost two teeth. My dentist said I need to look at tooth replacement options. But, he said the only thing he’d recommend is dental implants. Of course, it’s the most expensive treatment. Is it really my only serious option?

Mark

Dear Mark,

Dental Implant Diagram

Dental implants are the top of the line tooth replacement option. So, would I recommend them? Yes. However, there are times when a dental bridge makes more sense. For instance, if the teeth adjacent to the one you lost are in need of a dental crown, then get a bridge. Other than that, if you’re a good candidate for dental implants, then I’d recommend those over other lesser options, such as a removable partial denture.

Reasons to get a dental implant

  • It’s the most like having a healthy, natural tooth back.
  • It preserves your bone structure
  • You can eat and brush normally
  • No food will get underneath

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Orthodontist Said Fluorosis Means I Can’t Get Braces

by

I’m very sad. I grew up in Columbia and became a citizen of the United States about ten years ago. I’ve always wanted to straighten my teeth, but needed to get financially stable first. I am and went to my first orthodontist appointment today. It was very disappointing. He said I couldn’t have braces because I have severe fluorosis. Is there no way I can fix my teeth?

Luis G.

Dear Luis,

Someone smiling with braces

I’m sorry you’ve been given the impression you can’t get your teeth straightened. You can. There are two ways to go about this, but with either option, it sounds like you’ll need a different orthodontist, one who’s more up to date with techniques and procedures.

Orthodontic Options for Patients with Severe Fluorosis

If braces are what your heart is set on, there is a way to get that. Recent studies have shown that if the orthodontist does double etching, the bond will be strong enough for your braces to remain where they should for the duration of your treatment.

Many dentists have done dental bonding procedures on fluorosis patients with great success. If it works with the bonding it should work with braces.

There is actually a better option than braces for someone in your position. Have you looked into Invisalign? It straightens your teeth without any metal wires and brackets. It’s also completely invisible, so no one will know you’re straightening your teeth.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Did the Emergency Dentist Damage My Tooth?

by

I’m a little worried. I went to an emergency dentist because of a tooth which was in pain. He told me he didn’t see anything visible on the x-ray, but based on my description of symptoms he thought I cracked the tooth. He wanted to crown it first to see if the tooth could be saved. We did that, but the pain is still there. Now the tooth next to it is gray. Did he damage it or misdiagnose it?

Lauren A.

Dear Lauren,

Tulsa Emergency Dentist

A graying tooth means that the tooth is dead or dying. Without seeing an x-ray it would be impossible for me to tell exactly what the problem is, but I can give you three possibilities.

1. Your emergency dentist misdiagnosed the issue and crowned the wrong tooth. It’s always possible for dentists to get things wrong. Everyone is human after all. The only way to tell if this is what happened is to get a second opinion. Have another dentist look at the original x-rays and see if the real problem was visible.

If he did misdiagnose you, it is reasonable for you to expect a refund on all work done, including the appointment and crown. Then, you can have him treat the actual problem or, if you’ve lost faith in him, have the second dentist work on your tooth.

2. This is the least likely scenario, but worth mentioning. There is always the possibility that you happened to have trauma to the tooth adjacent to your crown that is now graying, at a later date. Unlikely, but possible.

3. More likely is the fact that both teeth experienced trauma at the same time, but the second tooth is just now showing evidence. That often happens with graying teeth. One tooth was cracked, which you instantly feel the pain. A second tooth is damaged and the blood flow cut-off, but you don’t realize it until the tooth starts to change colors. This tooth will likely need a root canal treatment and porcelain crown itself.

Why Some People End Up With Dental Emergencies.

This is not the case with everyone, especially patients in your situation where trauma is what sent you to the dentist. But, it’s worth mentioning for other patients out there who may struggle with going to the dentist.

You may find this surprising, but many Americans don’t look forward to going to the dentist. Some, out of intense dental anxiety, avoid it altogether. That often causes more pain and problems than if they came in for check-ups when problems could be caught early.

Fear isn’t the only reason people shrink from coming. Sometimes financial strains make it challenging and it just doesn’t seem important enough for them to go. When that happens, it’s better to find an affordable dentist who’ll work with you financially than to ignore the issue completely and end up with a severely abscessed tooth.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

I Need Affordable Help For My Mom, Fast!

by

I went to visit my mother who lives in a different state. We’re trying to talk her into moving in with us. She’s 85 and her health is declining. While we were having dinner one of her teeth fell out, right there on the plate. She said she lost two others as well. I don’t know how much money she has. What is an affordable way to take care of this? I’m worried sick about her. I’ve heard both dental implants and bridges are good. What’s your opinion?

Elizabeth E.

Dear Elizabeth,

Tulsa Affordable Dentist

It’s lovely that you’re there to care for your mother. When we’re children we rely on them. As they age, it is sometimes hard for them to allow us to look after them. I hope she allows you to help.

If your mother has teeth just falling out, that means she has incredibly advanced gum disease. That needs to be treated right away. She’s going to continue losing teeth until it is under control. Because of the gum disease, neither dental implants or a bridge will work. She doesn’t have anything strong enough to maintain them.

Affordable Tooth Replacement Options

However, once her gum disease if dealt with, dental implants are the top of the line treatment. But, you asked for affordable and I would not call them that.

The most affordable dental treatment for her will be complete dentures. Generally, it wouldn’t be something I’d recommend because of the facial collapse which results from bone resorption, but your mother’s 85. I don’t think it will be an issue for her.

Cu-Sil denture Affordable dental treatmentIf there are teeth which can be saved, don’t switch her treatment to removable partial dentures. Her teeth have been through a lot and that particular treatment (along with a dental bridge) puts too much stress on the remaining teeth for her situation. Instead, you could get her a denture which makes room for her remaining teeth without putting stress on them. It’s called a Cu-Sil Denture. I’ve put a picture of it to the left.

Best of luck with your mother.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.

Can Invisalign Substitute for My Retainer?

by

I am about to finish my Invisalign treatment and I have LOVED it. My friends only noticed I was wearing the aligners when I took them out of my mouth for eating. They always thought it was awesome and always asked me tons of questions. Plus, they’re super comfortable. My dentist tells me I’m going to have to wear a retainer for a bit and I will admit I’m dreading the idea. I’m not too keen on metal after my exquisite Invisalign experience. I had the idea that I could just keep wearing my final set of aligners in place of a retainer. Would that work? Can I ask my mom to cancel the retainer appointment?

Cyndy F.

Dear Cyndy,

Tulsa Invisalign

It’s fantastic that you’ve enjoyed your Invisalign treatment so much. You’re not the only one who feels that way, either. Invisalign has a higher than normal patient satisfaction rate, which means they’re definitely doing something right.

I also love how proactive you’re being about your care. You know what you like and are trying to arrange care which fits those parameters. The great thing about that is dentistry has many more options than it used to in the past.

While the idea of using your final set of aligners for your retainer sounds good on the surface, there are some issues that will creep up on you. First, the aligners were designed for two-week usage. Extended usage will wear them out. Plus, the inside is likely to get a tad bit on the grungy side and you’ll be longing for a fresh set.

The good news is while a metal retainer is certainly an option, it’s not your only option. You may want to keep your appointment with the orthodontist in order to go over some of the options I’ll present below. That way you can decide what’s best for you.

1. Lingual Retainers. While these are metal, they are placed on the backs of your teeth where your tongue touches. While they’re not truly invisible, your friends won’t be able to see them unless you make an effort to show it to them.

2. Wrap Around Clear Plastic Aligners. These are similar to Invisalign. They wrap all the way around your teeth the way your aligners did. You can ask to look at them and get an idea of whether you’ll like them as much as you did your orthodontic treatment.

3. Full Mouth Aligners. These are also clear plastic but they also cover the top of your mouth. Some companies even allow you to customize them. You can have them made in various colors, or have your favorite activity or sports team printed onto them.

Modern dentistry is filled with advancements and options. Always ask what ALL your options are. While technically dentists are ethically obligated to point out all your treatment options, we all have our favorites and some dentists are better than others at sharing the procedures they’re not as keen on.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Noah.