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Can I Switch Dentists In the Middle of My Dental implant Porcedure?

I’m not too thrilled with my implant dentist. I’m getting a dental implant and another tooth replaced with a Maryland Bridge. The bridge is done but it keeps falling off. This worries me. My dental implant case is planned out and I’m suposed to have the surgery in just a few days. However, I fear if he can’t do a dental bridge correctly, he will not be able to do the dental implant porcedure either. Is it too late to switch dentists for this?

Sean

Dear Sean,

Dental implant with components identified - crown, abutment, and root form

I share your concern about your dentist. A dental implant porcedure is much more advanced that a Maryland Bridge. Plus, there is much more training for a dental bridge in dental school than there is for dental implants. To do it well requires post-doctoral training. There are way too many dental implant horror stories as a result of patients going to inexperienced dentists for this procedure.

It is not too late to switch dentists. In fact, you can switch during any procedure at any time. Your dentist is ethically obligated to share all his diagnostics and notes with whichever dentist you end up choosing.

It’s good that you are thinking this through now instead of after the implant surgery, where you would risk dental implant failure.
By the way, a dental implant is a fantastic choice for a tooth replacement. When done well, they are the closest thing to having a healthy, natural tooth in your mouth again.

This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Goebel.

Is the Tanda Pearl Whitening System Safe and Effective?

I have bleaching trays that my dentist gave me, but they always seem to aggravate my TMJ Disorder. I was looking online for alternatives and came across this Tanda Pearl System. It says it whitens your teeth in just 5 minutes a day. I’m thinking I could handle 5 minutes, but wanted to make sure it was safe and effective before I did. Do you have any thoughts on it?

Cassie

Dear Cassie,

Teeth Bleaching trays in their case

The system works with the same premise as your current bleaching tray system with a few exceptions. Because it is done without dental supervision the gel will be weaker. If you are considering this because your TMJ is affected, I think it will have the opposite affect from what you are hoping for.

The trays you have now are worn independently on each arch. The Tanda Pearl system has one tray that you have to bite down on in order to keep it in place. I think that will drive your jaw pain through the roof. On that basis alone, I would not recommend it for you. That does not give you a solution to your problem, however. Here are some suggestions for that.

First, were your trays custom-fitted to your bite? They should have been. You don’t want some generic trays that you get warm and then bite down on to form to your teeth. Your dentist should have taken a mold and built the trays to fit your specific bite. If that did not happen, talk to your dentist about getting new trays.

Second, you didn’t mention how long you were wearing your trays. There is no required amount of time. If you’re wearing them for an hour, but your TMJ starts bothering you halfway through, then just wear them for thirty minutes. Obviously, the longer you wear them each day, the faster your teeth whiten. However, whitening a smidge slower in order to keep yourself from unnecessary pain seems the wiser course to me.

Communicate your concerns with your dentist. You paid for professional teeth whitening. Part of what you are paying for is his (or her) expertise and oversight to make sure nothing goes awry with your treatment. Teeth whitening should be pain free.

This blog is brought to you by Moline Dentist Dr. Thomas Goebel.