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Archives for October 2025

Looking for a Gingival Mask to Hide Black Triangles Between My Teeth

Posted on by AllSmiles.

When researching how to hide black triangles between my upper teeth, I found information on a gingival mask. What is the mask made of, and how can I find a dentist who offers them? Thanks. Elaina from El Paso, TX

Elaina,

A gingival mask is a soft, gum-colored appliance that fits over the front teeth to replace missing gum tissue that shows when you smile or talk. It fills black triangles between teeth so the smile looks smooth and natural again.

What Is a Gingival Mask Made Of?

Before and after gingival mask used to hid black triangles between teeth

A gingival mask can hide black triangles between teeth

Many gingival masks used to be made from silicone. Today, some labs choose vinyl polysiloxane because it offers more stability.

Creating a gingival mask involves a simple lab process:

  • The dentist takes impressions of your teeth.
  • The lab pours a plaster model and molds the mask on that model.

Labs that manufacture soft denture liners already possess the necessary skills and materials to produce these. A dentist trained in taking impressions can order a gingival mask even if they don’t regularly provide the masks for patients. After an evaluation of your oral health, a dentist can determine whether you are a candidate for a gingival mask.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Can I Save Money by Getting Implant Dentures at a Dental School?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

If I decide to get implant dentures, can I save money by getting them at a dental school? Thanks. Dennis from Tacoma, WA

Dennis,

Dental schools rely on patients to help students learn. You can expect high-quality care at a reduced cost, but you’ll need patience. Treatment takes longer and includes frequent check-ins with supervising faculty. Even with the slower pace, the work is generally well done and a good value.

What Services Dental Schools Typically Provide?

A dental implant with the crown, abutment, and screw labled

Dental implant placement is taught in specialty programs, such as periodontics or oral surgery

Undergraduate dental programs often require experience with removable dentures; therefore, schools frequently welcome patients who wear dentures. Implant placement for dentures, however, is taught only in specialty programs. General dentistry students don’t perform those surgeries, so schools rarely recruit implant cases.

Can You Get Cosmetic Procedures at a Dental School?

It’s best not to seek cosmetic dentistry at a dental school. Many patients who attempt to save money on veneers or smile makeovers often end up dissatisfied. Dental academia often prioritizes precision and clinical standards over patient appearance and preferences. While a few exceptions exist, most schools lack the aesthetic sensitivity and patient rapport that define excellent cosmetic work.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

I Expected a Gold Dental Crown, but My Dentist Ordered a Cheap Version

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My dentist and I agreed on a gold crown for my upper left premolar. Before my dentist placed the crown, I asked about its contents because it didn’t look like it was mostly gold. My dentist said he would order a certificate and let me know. Last week, I went to the dental office to get a copy of the certificate. The crown is only 2% gold. This is the content list:

35% Palladium

30% Indium

30% Silver

3% Zinc

2% Gold

I feel tricked and believe I am entitled to a refund. Before I talk to my dentist about this, I want to know if I should be concerned about palladium and indium? Thanks. Priscila from Los Angeles

Priscila,

Palladium is quite hard, so manufacturers add indium and silver to make it more adaptable to the tooth structure. Indium is often found in dental crown materials, comprising less than 5%.

In your crown, the higher indium content likely serves to soften the alloy while reducing the gold percentage, making it less expensive than a gold crown with a higher gold percentage.

Gold is ideal for crowns because:

  • It never corrodes.
  • Its softness allows a precise, burnished fit that seals the crown’s edge and protects against decay.

Should You Be Concerned About a Palladium Allergy?

Copy of an IdentAlloy certificate for a high noble dental crown

IdentAlloy certificate for a high noble dental crown

Although palladium occasionally raises questions, there is no credible documentation of allergic reactions for dental crowns. It is widely used in crown alloys without reported toxicity.

If you were reacting to this alloy, your gums would likely be inflamed at the crown’s margin. However, you requested a gold crown, yet your dentist appears to have chosen this alloy for its low cost rather than its composition. The law requires an Identalloy certificate with each crown, and the dentist must keep it in your chart. The fact that it appeared only after your inquiry suggests either oversight or avoidance.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

Should I Return to Costa Rica for a Snap-on Denture Refund?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I’ve trusted a dental clinic in Costa Rica for eight years and always had good results. In February, a dentist here in Michigan told me my x-rays showed inflammation around my implants. He said my fixed bridge had to be replaced for proper cleaning or the implants might fail. He quoted $11,000. I got two more opinions, and both dentists said the bridge should have been screw-retained, not glued.

So, I went back to Costa Rica. They removed the bridge and gave me a snap-on denture. The next day I struggled just to take it out—I had to use both hands. It hurts to chew, and food gets trapped under the denture. Unfortunately, the denture has broken. I think I’ve had too many struggles with it and it has weakened. Should I go back to Costa Rica for a replacement or just let a Michigan dentist replace the bridge even though I would lose money? – Thanks. Luke from MI

 

Luke,

Your snap-on denture should not have broken when you removed it, and food should not have been able to collect beneath it. These problems indicate issues with design and construction.

Is Dental Tourism Safe?

Diagram of an affordable dental implant option - a snap-on denture hovering above two dental implants.

A snap-on dentures makes implants more affordable

Dental tourism can be safe and yield good results. However, many patients choose dental treatment abroad to save money, but cost savings often come with a compromise in quality. Standards can vary, and dentists may not always face consequences for providing substandard care. That lack of oversight can make situations like yours more likely.

What Are Precautions for Dental Tourism?

If you consider dental care abroad again, choose providers who demonstrate a clear commitment to professional standards. Look for credentials from organizations such as:

  • International College of Dentists
  • Pierre Fauchard Academy

These organizations hold members to rigorous standards and continuing education requirements, which can help ensure safer, more reliable care.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.

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