Current Expert Advice:
Showing 1-10 of 42 answersQuestion:
Anonymous
10/12/2009
I have a crown on one of my front teeth. Root c...
I have a crown on one of my front teeth. Root canal was done on the tooth appx. 15 years ago. The tooth (porcelain crown with a metal post) is now loose for 3x time and is threatening to come...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/12/2009
JT, I know that you are discouraged, but it may...
JT, I know that you are discouraged, but it may be that you don't have enough tooth structure to keep your crown in place. Most likely an implant is an option for you to replace the root... if you are a good candidate. Dental implants are very successful today using the latest protocols and techniques. The costs vary and depend on several different factors... the clinician's skill, care, and judgement; the overall health of the patient(medical history, current/ past medications), overall dental health of the patient, health of sugical site, selection of implant type, etc. In addition, different dentists have different "comfort zones". One dentist may feel more comfortable referring you to a specialist for further evaluation. Another dentist may feel confident enough to do the implant in his or her own office. Another dentist may recommend that a removable partial or bridge would be a good option for you. #1) I recommend that patient's first find out what the treatment options are for their specific case... and make a decision that is right for them. #2) Find the clinician/dentist that they trust to do the treatment and discuss all of the advantages and disadvantages of treatment/nontreatment. #3) After these are decided then discuss fees, financial arrangements, and insurance. Where there is a "will" there is a "way". If a patient can not afford one treatment option, then another treatment option(compromise) may be in order. I hope this helps. DrB
1 repliesQuestion:
Anonymous
10/1/2009
Hello Dr. Beeler, I work at UPS 500 Callahan Dr...
Hello Dr. Beeler,
I work at UPS 500 Callahan Drive Knoxville and we are having a Health Fair on Monday, Oct.19th. Is this something you would be interested in participating? We look forward to...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/1/2009
Yes, I would be interested. Please call Nikki a...
Yes, I would be interested. Please call Nikki at my office on Monday to give her the details of how we may best help you and your employees. Office- 494-0634. Thank you for thinking of me and our office. Dr. B :)
Question:
Anonymous
1/8/2009
I had porcelain laminates done years ago (6 top...
I had porcelain laminates done years ago (6 top front). My top front tooth has cracked under the laminate and it's a mess! I have seen a dentist who has told me that I also need to see a...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
1/8/2009
Smantha, You probably have several options. Get...
Smantha, You probably have several options. Get another opinion or two from some other dentists. First, figure out what your options are... choose the treatment that is best for you... make your financial arrangements so that you have no surprises... THEN discuss with your dentist how to best deal with your "allergy" to pain. Today patients can have their dental work done and "sleep" through the whole proceedure. Check out docs.com. You will find alot of info about this. I hope this helps. Let me know if I may be of further assistance along your dental journey. Dr. B.
Question:
Anonymous
11/20/2008
This is about my husband, I recently noticed th...
This is about my husband, I recently noticed that his gums have receeded (sp) and he has developed bad breath. How is the best way to tell him how bad his gums are and get him to the dentist.
We...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
11/20/2008
Dear Marie, Bad breath is probably one of the m...
Dear Marie, Bad breath is probably one of the more sensitive issues to discuss with anyone... and telling our spouse that they have breath that is noticably bad can hurt feelings or start an arguement. I think most of us want to be accepted by others and we want others to feel comfortable when we are talking in close quarters. I personally always want my staff members to tell me if my breath is bad... of course I'm a dentist! Sometimes my staff members will simply hand me a piece of sugarless gum. It's their way of letting me know that I didn't brush my teeth after lunch. Really bad breath can be a sign of periodontal disease. If your husband hasn't been to a dentist in over 6 months then recommend to him that he should have his teeth and mouth examined. If he uses tobacco he should have an oral cancer exam. Usually, a dentist or dental hygienist will discuss halitosis, periodontal disease, and any other concerns that they may have about conditions that they see present. Is your husband afraid to go to a dentist? That may be an issue that is holding him back. I hope that this helps. Dr B :)
Question:
Anonymous
6/7/2008
I need a front upper bridge replaced with eithe...
I need a front upper bridge replaced with either another bridge or with dental implants. Since this is the front teeth and very visible, I would like to obtain the very best appearance I can. In...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
6/7/2008
Dear Lisa, You have asked one of the best que...
Dear Lisa,
You have asked one of the best questions that I have read lately, and I will help you in the best way that I can. I can certainly appreciate your concern about your desire for the best dental outcome, especially since our self-esteem, confidence, and attractiveness is so closely tied to our smile.
It really is challenging to evaluate which dentist is the "right" dentist for any individual because one person may be looking for the cheapest dentist to make them dentures, and another patient may be looking for an experienced dentist to fully restore their mouth or give them a smile "make-over".
Here is what I tell my patients who are moving to another town and they ask me if I know of a good dentist in that location. I tell them to call at least five or six dental offices within a 20 mile radius of their residence ("google it"). There are at least 10 or 15 questions that I would ask, but I usually limit it to 4... they are easier to remember. #1 How long are the adult dental hygiene appointments? If they aren't at least one hour in length then I would say thank you and call another dentist. ( My reasons are personal and have to do with the dental hygienist having enough time to be thorough, not only with the patient's treatment but also thourough in record keeping, infection control, and patient education.) #2 Ask .. Does the dental hygienist wear magnifying glasses during the cleaning appointment? ( Only 20 percent of hygienists wear them.) My reasons are personal, but if the hygienist can see better then she should perform better.) # 3 Ask ... Do you use digital x-rays? ( Digital x-rays allow us to see a more clear image and they reduce the patient's exposure to radiation by 90 percent.... would you rather have more radiation or less?) #4 Ask ... Do you have a intra oral camera that the dental hygienist or doctor uses at every appointment? (This is such a powerful diagnostic tool that helps the dentist, the hygienists and the patient see exactly what's going on in the patient's mouth.) Only 20 percent of all dentists and hygienists USE an intra oral camera...even if they have one!
Once you find a dental office that can say "YES" to all four of those questions ... then ask questions about the dentist's credentials. How long has he/she been in practice? In what dental organizations is he/she a member? How long? What is your web address to find out more information about your doctor, the office, and the support team. If you feel comfortable with the answers that you have recieved then I would ask if it would be alright to go visit the office and meet the staff. ( In our office we welcome this request and there is no charge... we enjoy meeting new patients and making new friends!)
Most people who call a dental office don't know what to ask! Most ask... How much do you charge for...? or do you take my dental insurance? Although these are important issues that need to be addressed... the most important one to me is to find a dentist who is passionate about doing excellent dental work for me and my family. Trust is such a big part of a good dentist/patient relationship. Qualitly and thoroughness never go out of style. Dentistry is a wonderful profession. It allows dentists to be as good as they want to be.
To find the right dentist for you (or any quality-minded person) will require some time and effort on your part ... but it may save you time, disappointment and money in the long run.
I hope this helps. Dr. B :)
Question:
Anonymous
10/22/2007
Dear Mr. Beeler, I am 21+ year old, and I want ...
Dear Mr. Beeler, I am 21+ year old, and I want to have braces, So I want to know any good detnal plans or the dental insurance which cover orthodontics, and which one do you think is better, a...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/22/2007
10-10-2007 - Archi, Since you are a UT student,...
10-10-2007 - Archi, Since you are a UT student, you are only 20 minutes from my office. I will see you for a complimentry consultation. Come see us. We can answer all your questions. My financial coordinator even has some good suggestions about a dental insurance policy that you may be interested. It's very affordable and we have had patients who are really pleased. I hope this helps. Dr.B:)
Question:
Anonymous
10/22/2007
Doctor, I am a very desperate WWII vet who has ...
Doctor, I am a very desperate WWII vet who has given up trying to get a couple of dentures so that I can once more enjoy eating My wife and I are on social sec and have all to get by I have pleaded...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/22/2007
10-10-2007 - Bill, Call the V.A. in Nashville o...
10-10-2007 - Bill, Call the V.A. in Nashville or Johnson City. They will make your dentures for you free...I think. I have had many Veterans over the years and they have been able to have dental work done. I'm not sure about who qualifies or the number of "hoops" that you may have to jump through, but it certainly is worth a try. I hope this helps. Dr.B:)
Question:
Anonymous
10/22/2007
Would like to know who you consider is the best...
Would like to know who you consider is the best or who has the best results in the Knoxville area as far as TMJ, and doing pretty caps on all teeth. I have been told by another dentist that there...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/22/2007
10-07-2007 - J.Disney, You were told by another...
10-07-2007 - J.Disney, You were told by another dentist that there was "no one good here" in the Knoxville area who gets good results treating patients who have TMJ problems and "doing pretty caps." I would respectfully suggest to you that there are a good number of dentists in the Knoxville/east Tn area who have successfully treated patients with TMJ concerns and placing beautiful crowns that look like natural teeth. If you are looking for a dentist in Nashville who has limited his or her dental practice to those patients who have TMJ issues, then I would do a "google search" and see what you find. If you call my office, my receptionist should be able to tell you the "four questions" all patients should ask when selecting a dentist for you or your family. Then pick up the phone and start calling. Do your homework and see if Knoxville has any "good" dentists. I would be interested in what you find out. You can e-mail me at this website and let me know. "Quality and thoroughness never go out of style." I hope this helps. Dr.B:)
Question:
Anonymous
10/22/2007
Dr. B., This has taken me alot of nerve to spea...
Dr. B., This has taken me alot of nerve to speak with some one about my isues with my teeth. I have kept my mouth shut about it for many years..........literally. I am a 38 year old man who will...
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/22/2007
10-07-2007 - Clay, Wow. You and your family sur...
10-07-2007 - Clay, Wow. You and your family sure have been going through difficult times. There are so many people who are in dental pain and desperately need dental treatment. In Knoxville there are a couple places that may be able to help you. The Interfaith Dental Clinic and the Knox county health department(dental clinic). UT Hospital also has a dental clinic with dentists who are in a general practice residency program. I don't know the protocol as to how each of these three clinics treat patients, or how they choose the patients that they see. If I were you I would certainly follow up with a phone call to each of them and ask for help. If you run into a dead end e-mail me back and I will call each of these clinics myself to follow up. Don't give up! You will have a beautiful smile one of these days... if you really want to (and it certainly sounds that way in your e-mail.) Remember, God gives us a bicycle, but we have to do the peddling. I hope this helps. Dr.B:)
Question:
Anonymous
10/22/2007
Is there a way I can purchase false teeth that ...
Is there a way I can purchase false teeth that fit over my own teeth?
Expert Answer:
Michael B.
10/22/2007
10-07-2007 - Arlene, There is a new techique th...
10-07-2007 - Arlene, There is a new techique that has come along in dentistry called "Snap-on Smile". I have just recently seen two patients who chose to see if it would work for them. I am encouraged about this for select patients. Go to their web site.. snaponsmile.com and check it out. If you are interested either call your dentist and see if they have any experience with this alternative... or call my office. I will be happy to see you for a complimentry consult to see if you might be a good candidate. My web site is cosmeticdentistknoxville.com I hope this helps. Dr.B:)
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