Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do I need x-rays?
2. Can't I just get a cleaning?
3. Why do I need a root canal?
4. Why do I need a crown?
5. Why do I need fluoride treatments?
6. What is an onlay?
7. Why do I need to go through gum treatment?
8. What is an implant?
9. Why do I need to replace my missing teeth?
10. Why won't my insurance cover this?
11. What are veneers?
12. How can I pay for dental treatment that does not fit my budget?

Dental Emergencies:

1. My filling fell out.
2. I chipped a tooth.
3. My crown came off.
4. A tooth came out of my denture/partial.
5. I have swollen gums.
6. My teeth/gums bleed when I floss.
7. My or my child's tooth is knocked out in an accident.

1. Q: Why do I need x-rays?
   A: Routine x-rays are needed to show the doctor if there is decay between the teeth or under existing fillings.  X-rays will also show the level of bone supporting the teeth.  These are areas in the mouth that cannot be seen visually by the doctor.
    
2. Q: Can't I just get a cleaning?
   A: Most times, patients will only need a cleaning.  If it has been a long time since your last cleaning or there are heavy deposits of plaque and tartar, chances are you have gum disease.  This condition cannot be treated by just polishing the teeth.
    
3. Q: Why do I need a root canal?
   A: Root canal treatment is indicated when decay in a tooth reaches the pulp (nerve).  Once there, the infection spreads through the tooth into the surrounding bone around the tips of the roots.  When someone says "My tooth has an abcess," they are speaking about an infection in the bone around the root tip caused by decay that has entered the nerve.  Root canal treatment rids the source of this infection and the tooth can then be built back up and restored with a crown.  The only other option to root canal treatment is extracting the tooth.
    
4. Q: Why do I need a crown?
   A: A crown is indicated to restore a tooth if a filling becomes too large to be supported by the remaining tooth structure.  A tooth also needs a crown if it has received root canal treatment.  A large filling can have a wedging effect on a tooth and split it in half.  Crowning the tooth ensures the health of the tooth.  Crowns are also commonly called "caps."
    
5. Q: Why do I need fluoride treatments?
   A: It is a known fact that the application of fluoride to teeth strengthens the enamel and makes it more resistant to decay.  This is especially important in adolescence when oral hygiene and proper diet are not top priorities.  As we age and our gums begin to recede, the roots become exposed.  These areas of teeth are extremely prone to decay.  Fluoride also strengthens these areas of the teeth.
    
6. Q: What is an onlay?
   A: An onlay is a restoration on a tooth that covers the cusps but does not cover the entire tooth.  It is a conservative alternative to crowning a tooth that results in the preservation of healthy tooth structure.
    
7. Q: Why do I need gum treatment?
   A: Periodontitis, or gum disease, is a very low-grade chronic bacterial infection that starts with the accumulation of plaque and tartar at and below the gum line.  Most people who have it aren't even aware of it.  Some signs may be bleeding gums, an occasional bad taste or odor, or maybe a vague discomfort.  It is sometimes called the silent killer of teeth, because you don't know you have it until it is well advanced.  Gum disease is very treatable and in most cases does not require surgery.  Once treated, the gums must be maintained with diligent home care and regular cleanings by the dental hygienist.  There is recent evidence that links gum disease to coronary heart disease, making it that much more important to keep the health of the gums at their optimal best.
    
8. Q: What is an implant?
   A: A dental implant is a titanium fixture that is placed in the bone where teeth have been lost.  The procedure is no worse than having a tooth extracted.  In doing so, dentures can snap on to attachments so they do not move or slip.  Single teeth can be replaced without having to grind adjacent teeth to hook onto.  Dental implants are by far the best way to replace missing teeth.
    
9. Q: Why do I need to replace my missing teeth?
   A: Once a tooth is lost, the adjacent and opposing teeth begin to shift into the empty space.  This can create spaces between front teeth, problems with chewing, and contribute to gum disease.  By replacing missing teeth, the integrity of the mouth is maintained.
    
10. Q: Why won't my insurance cover this?
    A: Let's face it, dental insurance companies are in business for a profit, so the less they pay, the more they profit.  In 1970 the average dental plan covered benefits up to $1000 per year.  Today the average dental plan covers benefits up to $1000 per year, even though the cost of delivering dentistry has increase five-fold.  In this country, quality dental care is considered a luxury.  You must view your dental insurance as a benefit that HELPS you pay for the maintenance of your oral health.  Let's talk about usual and customary fees clause in insurance policies.  This is a very slick way for these companies to maintain their profit margins.  If you dentist charged one dollar for a crown, they would say the usual and customary fee is eighty cents; and they usually will only cover 50% of that.  Don't buy into the assumption that your dentist is overcharging you.
     
11. Q: What are veneers?
    A: Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that is bonded to the faces of misshaped or discolored teeth.  They are beautiful, strong, and natural in appearance.  The procedure is very conservative and usually requires no anesthesia.  Veneers can literally change the appearance of a person's smile, and the confidence one gains from that goes without saying.
     
12. Q: How can I pay for dental treatment that does not fit my budget?
    A: Never let money get in the way of quality dental treatment.  Your doctor should have available several payment options to make the experience available to you.  Remember that it is the priority we place on a need or desire that determines the value we get for the money we spend on something.
     

Dental Emergencies

1. Q: My filling fell out.
   A: If a filling falls out, call your dentist immediately.  The possibility of the tooth fracturing is imminent.
    
2. Q: I chipped a tooth.
   A: A fractured tooth is in a compromised position.  If force is applied to it, as in biting or chewing, it will continue to chip away more.  Call your dentist immediately.
    
3. Q: My crown came off.
   A: DO NOT attempt to glue it back on.  Chances are, it will be put on wrong and may need to be cut off and a new one made.  Call your doctor immediately and avoid chewing on that tooth until it can be re-cemented back on.
    
4. Q: A tooth came out of my denture/partial.
   A: Call your dentist immediately.  If they care about you, they will repair it that same day.  DO NOT attempt to glue it in yourself.
    
5. Q: I have swollen gums.
   A: This usually means an infection is present and antibiotics are required.  Call your doctor immediately.  If he or she cannot be reached, go to the emergency room, especially if a fever is present.
    
6. Q: My teeth/gums bleed when I floss.
   A: Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation and/or infection.  It is most commonly seen in gingivitis, which is the beginning stage of gum disease.  This condition can only be treated by periodontal therapy at the dentist office.
    
7. Q: My or my child's tooth is knocked out in an accident.
   A: First, do not attempt to clean it.  The tissue attached to the root needs to be left undisturbed if there is a chance for re-implantation.  The best thing to do is place the tooth in a cup of milk and call your doctor immediately.