I am going to say upfront that I am a very nervous dental patient, so that is probably factoring into my hesitancy here. I went to see a cosmetic dentist about improving the look of my smile. He wants to put crowns on all my teeth. Most of these teeth have nothing wrong with them, so I am uncomfortable with the idea of grinding them down. On the plus side, he does put a three year guarantee on his work. I’m supposed to see the wax mock up in a few days but I’m becoming more anxious abut the whole treatment plan the closer we get. Do you think I am panicking over nothing?
Christine
Dear Christine,
Teeth being prepared for porcelain veneers.
This is an awfully aggressive treatment for someone who just wants to improve the appearance of their smile. Maybe there is something you haven’t mentioned that is significant, such as having been diagnosed with TMJ Disorder. Without something serious such as that, I would not agree to this treatment. Crowning every tooth is known as a full-mouth reconstruction. This is one of the most advanced procedures in dentistry. It takes a lot of post-doctoral training to do this right. When it is done wrong, it can cause serious problems that can leave you in pain for the rest of your life.
Typically, if you are wanting a smile makeover, the standard procedure is to get porcelain veneers. This will not grind down your teeth, the way preparation for a dental crown will. Often, dentists who do not have a lot of cosmetic training will prefer dental crowns because this is one of the first things taught in dental school. Unfortunately, the only thing taught is the mechanics, not the skill and artistry required to create a beautiful result. I want you to look for an AACD accredited dentist to do your smile makeover. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country and will have the skill and artistry to create a stunning smile for you.
Dealing with Dental Anxiety
You are not alone in your nervousness about going to the dentist. What I don’t want is for you to spend your life that way. I am going to suggest that you, in addition to see an accredited dentist, make sure they are a sedation dentist. If you have a pretty easy procedure, then you can relax with just some nitrous oxide. If you have a procedure that even the idea of it scares you, then what you would want is oral conscious sedation. This is administered by a pill but is incredibly strong. You will need to have a driver to get you to the dentist and back. They’ll also need to stay with you because you will not be as steady on your feet for a few hours.
That being said, it will be the most relaxing dental appointment you have ever had. In fact, many patients who use oral conscious sedation simply sleep through their appointment.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.
