Archives for January 2024

Are Online Teeth Veneers a Total Waste of Money?

Posted on January 31, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I’ve been searching online for teeth veneers on and off for the past few weeks. I don’t expect online veneers to look as good or last as long as porcelain veneers, but are they a total waste of money? – Thanks. Annalise from Sacramento

Annalise,

Are Online Teeth Veneers a Waste of Money?

A porcelain veneer held with dental forceps next to a woman's tooth

Unlike porcelain veneers that a dentist individually bonds to the fronts of your teeth, online veneers are a single removable appliance

Although online veneers cannot match porcelain veneers’ comfort, beauty, and durability, some consumers enjoy them for special occasions and do not consider them a waste of money. Depending on how often you want to wear online veneers, you may find that they help you feel better about smiling.

What Is an Advantage of Online Veneers?

One advantage of online snap-on veneers is that they are removable. If you dislike how they look or feel, snap them out and revert to your natural smile. However, online veneers will give you an acceptable smile, not a beautiful one.

Quality Concerns with Remote Dental Services

Without direct dentist supervision, quality suffers. Companies offering remote dental services get customer complaints. Online companies often prioritize profit over customers’ oral health and satisfaction.

Check customers’ online reviews that are not on the sellers’ websites. Take note of the negative reviews and reasons for consumer dissatisfaction.

Alternatives to Online Veneers

One alternative to online veneers is the Snap-On Smile®, which requires a local dentist’s supervision. The dentist would take impressions of your teeth for a custom snap-on smile. However, the appliance fits over your teeth, making them look bulky. A Snap-On Smile is a temporary smile makeover for occasional use or special events. Still, it doesn’t look natural close-up.

Whether you choose online veneers or a Snap-On Smile, it is not intended for everyday wear. The appliance will quickly wear out, especially if you do not remove it to eat and drink. The more you wear the appliance, the more frequently you need to replace it.

We encourage you to consider what you want to improve about your smile. You may be surprised to learn how teeth whitening or dental bonding for chips or cracks can help you get natural-looking improvement that lasts.

What Can I Do for a Tooth Infection If I Don’t Have Insurance?

Posted on January 28, 2024 by AllSmiles.

The left side of my face has been swollen for over a month. I have three cavities in my teeth on that side of my mouth. While eating something chewier than usual two days ago, I felt the discomfort increase in my teeth, and today it hurts. Unfortunately, I’ve been job searching for the past eight months and don’t have dental insurance. I’ve had several promising interviews, and I should hear back in a few weeks. I am still looking for work, but my unemployment income is not enough to pay my rent and utility bills and find a dentist. I’m unable to get credit because I don’t have a job. Can I do anything at home to manage the infection until I see a dentist? Thanks. Rachida

Rachida,

Ignoring a toothache and facial swelling caused by a dental infection is risky. Studies show that five to ten people lose their lives to dental infections yearly. Dead pulp tissue inside a tooth is usually the source of a tooth infection. Although antibiotics may seem like a quick fix, they only treat the symptoms, not the source. Antibiotics can’t reach inside a tooth, so taking them can lead to resistant bacteria and a potentially life-threatening infection.

Even small communities often offer free dental care if you don’t have dental insurance. Search the Internet for a dental clinic, a non-profit healthcare center, or a university dental school within driving distance.

Dental implant

Dentists often go above and beyond to help. Many dedicate time to charity clinics, especially in areas with limited access to care. In larger cities with dental schools, the students need volunteers for dental cleanings, exams, or extractions. While more complex procedures like root canals might not be available at every location, these clinics can offer temporary or permanent fillings, extractions, and other crucial treatments.

Getting treatment quickly can prevent the tooth infection from affecting your overall health, losing the tooth, and needing a dental implant or bridge.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. If you don’t have dental insurance, call to ask about financing or payment plans.

I’m Allergic to My Partial Denture But Can’t Afford a Bridge

Posted on January 15, 2024 by AllSmiles.

I got a partial denture last month to replace the lower left missing teeth. Something about the denture makes my lip and tongue burn on the left side of my mouth. I saw my dentist last week, and she said I am allergic to the plastic plate in the denture. She said that a dental bridge is an option. However, I cannot afford $4,300 for a bridge. I stopped wearing the denture, but my mouth and tongue still hurt. My dentist gave me a lidocaine solution to numb my mouth. That’s a temporary solution, but what can I do about my missing teeth since I can’t afford a bridge? Thanks. Krystle from NH

Krystle,

We are concerned about your allergic reaction and your dentist’s treatment option of a dental bridge as the only alternative to your partial denture. A lidocaine rinse that gives you 15 minutes of relief is not a solution to your symptoms.

What If You’re Allergic to Your Partial Denture?

If you are allergic to your partial denture, schedule an appointment with an allergist for testing. Give your dentist a list of the allergens. An experienced dentist can explain the denture materials available other than acrylic. Ask the allergist to test you for the materials to prevent another reaction and save you the time and expense of choosing options that might cause a reaction.

Valplast Partial Denture

A Valplast denture is thermoplastic resin

A Valplast partial denture is a thermoplastic resin. The material is strong and more flexible than acrylic. Although we cannot find reports of Valplast allergic reactions, it is not impossible to be allergic to it. Some allergies are unusual.

Metal Partial Denture

Nickel is a common allergen. Other dental metals can cause allergies, too. Ensure you get allergy testing for the metals in a partial denture that your dentist may recommend,

Fixed Dental Bridge

Although a fixed dental bridge can replace missing teeth, if you cannot afford it, don’t feel pressured to go over budget to get it.

Consult a prosthodontist or cosmetic dentist to discuss your options for a partial denture. An allergist or your primary care doctor can help you get relief from the allergic reaction to your current denture.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post.