Category: Uncategorized

Imagine taking a one hundred dollar bill out of your wallet and throwing it in the garbage. You’d never do that, right? It’s ridiculous! However, if you aren’t taking advantage of all your dental benefits, you’re essentially doing the same thing. These benefits—which typically include two cleanings a year—are vital to a healthier mouth and helping you avoid more extensive (and expensive) treatment. At midnight on December 31, any unused benefits for 2015 vanish, and dental insurance companies can make millions from consumers who never take advantage of their policies. Consumers may not realize that some dental plans even cover a certain dollar amount of dental services each year.

So what does dental insurance cover?

This will vary depending upon the specifics of the insurance you have, but typically, insurance will offer all or partial payment for:

All preventative care

This includes a cleaning two times a year, a checkup, and X-rays. Often, insurance companies cover preventative care at 100 percent, and patients only have to pay a deductible, which can range from $50 to $80, depending upon the policy.

Basic office procedures

This includes filling cavities and placing crowns. Most companies cover 60 to 80 percent of the cost of these procedures.

Endodontic Therapy Procedures

Root canals, tooth removal, oral surgery, and tissue biopsies fall under this category. Payment varies depending upon the policy.

Orthodontics

This includes retainers and braces.

Periodontics

These procedures manage infections or lesions and include periodontal scaling and root planning. The irony is that one of the main reasons patients don’t follow-up on needed dental care is because of the associated costs…and many of those patients don’t realize they have benefits they aren’t using? Take advantage of all your dental benefits. If you’re not sure of how much coverage you have, speak with your insurance representative or with the billing representative at your dentist’s office. They’ll be able to give you an idea about what is covered and what to expect. Don’t let your unused benefits disappear on New Year’s Eve!

---

Sources: Animated-Teeth.com. “Categories of Dental Services.” Dentistry IQ. “Use Them or Use Them.” National Association of Dental Plans. “What Do Dental Plans Normally Cover?”

Confess: Before you have a dental appointment, you vigorously floss your teeth the night before, even if you haven’t been flossing them regularly. (We hate to break it to you, but the dentist knows about your secret.) Some even brush before the cleaning appointment, determined to make a good impression. The appointment date and time is dutifully marked in the calendar and time is taken off from work. But there’s one thing you’re overlooking: A list of questions to ask your dentist. Don’t see your regular cleaning as just a cleaning. Use this as an opportunity to ask your dentist about how you can keep your mouth healthy year round. Need help getting started? Following are three questions that are a must.

1. Is my mouth healthy?

A healthy mouth is so much more than a great smile. Many researchers believe it can have an influence on other areas of your health, such as your heart. This is also a good time to review the medications you’re taking with your dentist. Some medicines cause dry mouth, which increases your chances of cavities. Your dentist will be able to recommend specialized mouthwashes or toothpastes to help you. The hygienist should also do a brief check for mouth cancer. If you have concerns about your risk for mouth cancer (particularly if you use tobacco products), please discuss this with your dentist. Remember, your dentist is a wonderful—but often underused—resource of health information.

2. Could you prioritize any procedures that I need to have done?

If you haven’t been for a regular dental check-up in a long while, there’s a good chance there may be a long list of things that need to be done, from filling cavities to root canals. Your dentist will help you prioritize the procedures and give you an idea of how long they might take. This is also a good time to review which procedures will be covered by your insurance. Most dental practices will be able to give you a ballpark estimate of how much something will cost, and the practice’s financial office will work with you to schedule a payment plan if services are not covered by insurance.

3. What foods can I avoid to improve my dental health?

While it’s no surprise that sugary snacks wreak havoc on your teeth, did you know that even healthy foods can cause problems? Apples and carrots can crack fragile teeth, and citrus fruits and acidic vegetables wear away enamel. Dentists are quick to point out that the benefits of these healthy foods outweigh the problems they can cause with your teeth. So what should you do? Continue to eat healthy foods but be sure to brush and floss after eating them. Your cleaning is a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge your dental professionals have to offer. If you’d like a list of more questions to ask, you can find them here.

---

Sources: American Heart Association. Dental Health and Heart Health. Drummond, Katie. 25 Foods Dentists Won’t Eat. Prevention Magazine. Jan. 31, 2013. Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives. Questions to Ask Your Dentist.

Root canals get a bad rap. Simply mentioning the words conjures unsettling images, but in actuality, having a root canal is very similar to having a cavity filled. In addition, a root canal is vital for clearing infection and keeping your mouth healthy. In this post, we offer some insight into this much-maligned procedure.

What is a root canal and why is it performed?

Here’s an interesting fact: Despite what many think, teeth aren’t completely solid. The inside of a tooth is made of soft material—blood vessels and nerves—called pulp. The pulp helps the tooth’s root grow during development. Decay eats away at the surface of the tooth, creating a cavity. Some cavities are so deep that they penetrate the pulp, and if the pulp is inflamed, it can lead to abscesses or serious infections. Deep cavities aren’t the only reasons for a teeth root canal treatment. Sometimes a chipped or cracked tooth opens the doorway for bacteria to settle deep within the tooth. During a root canal, the dentist removes the infected pulp and cleans the inside of the tooth, including any “branches” that may spring from the main root. Once the tooth is disinfected, it is sealed with gutta-percha, a rubber-like material that seals off the root so bacteria will not travel into the tooth. A temporary crown is placed on the tooth until it can be replaced with a permanent crown.

How do you know when you need a root canal?

Pain is not always an indicator. In fact, sometimes there’s no pain at all. Some may have anything ranging from mild discomfort to extreme pain, particularly when biting or chewing. Other potential signs that a root canal is in order include:

• Swelling around the tip of the tooth’s root (this does not occur in every case)
• Changing color or a shift in the shade of the tooth, typically to gray, black or yellow tint
• Appearance of a “pimple” or boil at the site of the problem tooth

The key to diagnosing a root canal is having regular visits with a dentist. Dental X-rays show evidence that the tooth is in trouble by comparing them with earlier X-rays. These subtle differences include a dark spot around the root, called “radiolucency.” Sometimes, when filling a cavity, the dentist discovers that the cavity is so deep it exposes the pulp tissue. This means a root canal is necessary. The dentist may also conduct a “percussion test.” During this test, the dentist lightly taps on the tooth using a dental instrument, causing slight pain in teeth that are irritated or need attention. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, only a dentist can accurately determine whether or not a root canal is in order. Having regular dental X-rays will enable the dentist to monitor any problematic teeth and treat cavities before they get too deep.

What to do in case of a dental emergency: Your child slides for that game-winning home run. You cheer as your heart swells with pride, only to realize that this cool move came at a price: your child’s front tooth. Or perhaps you’re on vacation, eating at your favorite restaurant, when you hear something crack, and a jolt of pain shoots down your jaw. A dental emergency can occur anytime, any place. What would you do if you lost a filling? Cracked a tooth? Here are a few first aid guidelines for the most common dental emergencies.

If your tooth is broken…

• Clean the area gently with warm water.
• Protect the tooth from exposure to germs, air, or liquid by covering it with a sterile gauze.
• Reduce swelling by applying a cold compress to the face.
• Seek dental treatment immediately.

If your tooth is knocked out …

• Immediately locate the tooth. Can’t find it? Check the mouth where it is missing to be sure the tooth hasn’t been shoved into the gums.
• Keep the tooth moist. The best way to do this is to place the tooth – if possible—back into its socket without touching the root.
• If the tooth cannot be placed back in its socket, then place it in your mouth between your cheek and gums. Another alternative is to place the tooth in milk.
• Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

If your tooth is cracked…

• Clean the area by rinsing with warm water.
• Use a cold compress on your face to reduce swelling
• As always, consult a dentist immediately

If you have a severe toothache…

• Clean the area with a warm water rinse and use floss to ensure that nothing has lodged between your teeth.
• Use a warm compress to relieve pain.
• Do NOT put aspirin on your gum because it can burn the gum tissue.
• If you experience severe swelling and have difficulty swallowing, go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, contact your dentist and get an appointment as soon as possible.

It also helps to be prepared for a dentals emergency while you’re out-of-town. Keep an updated list of prescription medications, as well as any herbal remedies you’re taking. Be sure you know where local dentists are before you travel. If going to a foreign country – particularly one with limited access to dental care—have a plan in place.

---

Sources: American Dental Association. “Mouth Healthy: Dental Emergencies.” North Dakota Department of Health. “First Aid for Dental Emergencies.”

Dental Hygiene

Brushing your teeth: You’ve been doing it for as long as you can remember, but have you been doing it correctly? Refresh your knowledge with our infographic!

Should i have my wisdom teeth extracted: If only wisdom teeth could live up to the promise of their name. Far from promoting knowledge, the arrival of these third molars causes a lot of questions— particularly, should they stay or should they go? Pre-emptive wisdom teeth removal has become a rite of passage for many adolescents, but can be controversial: Those who oppose early removal argue that the surgery is unnecessary, and, like all procedures, carries some risk. However, 80 to 90 percent of impacted wisdom teeth cause problems, ranging from overcrowding to pain. Therefore, most Wisdom Teeth Extracted should be removed.

Wisdom Teeth 101

Wisdom teeth are third molars that typically erupt (“grow in”) between the ages of 17 to 24. Why do we have wisdom teeth? The answer isn’t clear. Some scientists believe wisdom teeth were necessary because ancient man used to eat coarser diets which caused extensive wear and tear on the molars, so when the wisdom teeth appeared, there was room to accommodate them. Lack of dental hygiene meant that broken or lost teeth also cleared the way for these molars. Today, a softer diet and better access to dental care means wisdom teeth don’t have as much “elbow room” as they once did. Studies suggest that there is a 75 % chance that at least one wisdom tooth will be impacted. A tooth is impacted when it fails to surface into a normal position and is partially or fully covered by gum tissue or bone. Impaction can cause wisdom tooth pain, severe toothache pain, discomfort, and damage to neighboring teeth. So, why are they called wisdom teeth? Because the teeth surface later in life, when people are wiser. (At least, that’s the story.)

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

The decision of whether or not to preventatively remove wisdom teeth has been the center of extensive debate– and misinformation—for decades. While research and studies continue, following are the basic arguments for removal:

• If a wisdom tooth breaks the gum surface, it can create an opening for bacteria, which may lead to inflammation.
• Erupting wisdom teeth – particularly if they are coming in at an awkward angle – can create “plaque traps” that set the stage for extensive tooth decay and gum disease. For more information, view this informational video from the American Dental Association.
• As people age, they are at greater risk for developing dental problems, and this includes wisdom tooth pain.

Wisdom teeth should be removed if:

• They are causing extensive pain
• They are the source of an infection
• They are damaging neighboring teeth
• A cyst or tumor is present
• The tooth has extensive decay that is not possible to repair
• There is a risk of developing gum disease

The Bottom Line?

While every patient is unique, if the wisdom teeth are impacted, it is very likely that they will cause extensive trouble at some point in the patient’s life. Therefore, we believe most wisdom teeth should be removed. Speak with your dentist about any questions or concerns you have about your wisdom teeth or any severe toothache pain. Remember: by establishing regular, routine dental check-ups and yearly X-rays, your dentist can keep a close eye on your wisdom teeth and discuss the best course of treatment for you.

Wisdom Teeth Extracted

---

Sources: Academy of General Dentistry. “Know Your Teeth: What Are Wisdom Teeth?” Cohen, Ruben, DDS. “How to Know if Wisdom Teeth Really Need to be Removed.” The Huffington Post. The American Dental Association. “Mouth Healthy: Wisdom Teeth”

The most dental-conscious states: You know that dentists recommend cleanings and regular check ups twice a year… but do you know how many people actually take that advice? We’ve compiled a list of states with the highest percentage of dental visits in the past year. Check out where California falls!

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,” William Shakespeare wrote. Of course, he wasn’t talking about a dental crown, but for many, the procedure may also make them uneasy. We’ve taken the mystery—and uneasiness—out of dental crowns by addressing these commonly asked questions:

What is a crown?

A crown (also called a “cap”) is a permanent, protective covering that’s placed over a tooth to strengthen and protect it. It’s very different from a filling. While a filling repairs the natural tooth, a crown completely covers the surface of the tooth.

When is a crown needed?

A crown is needed when a tooth is extensively damaged by decay, misshapen, or cracked. It can also be used to support a tooth that has had a root canal pain treatment or to cover a dental implant. Dental crowns can also be used cosmetically to improve the appearance and color of a tooth.

What are dental crowns made of?

Crowns can be made of many different materials, including:

• Metal (nickel, gold, palladium or chromium)
• Porcelain
• Resin
• Other dental alloys

There are pros and cons to each type of material, so be sure to discuss your options with your dentist.

What is the process for getting a crown?

First, your dentist will have to treat the underlying condition that has damaged or weakened the tooth. This may involve filling a large cavity, performing a root canal, or repairing a broken tooth. After the tooth has been treated, it must be prepared to make room for the crown. Using dental paste, the dentist takes an impression of the treated tooth and the teeth around it. This is to ensure that the crown fits and does not “offset” your bite. Sometimes, impressions are done using a digital wand to scan images of your tooth. The impression is then sent to a dental laboratory. It may take several days to three weeks for the crown to arrive. The dentist will provide a temporary crown to protect your tooth until the permanent one arrives. When the crown arrives, it is permanently put in place using dental cement.

Does a dental crown hurt?

Dentists use a local anesthetic to numb the area being treated. If you experience soreness after the crown is placed, speak with your dentist, who may suggest over-the-counter pain relievers.

How long do they last?

This varies, depending upon the wear and tear on the crown. On average, crowns last 5 to 15 years. With proper oral hygiene and preventative cleanings, many crowns have been known to last much longer.

How do I care for a crown?

Care for your crown in the same way you would care for a regular tooth. Remember, while the crown may be made of metal or porcelain, it’s still protecting part of a tooth underneath it. Good oral hygiene is necessary to prevent bacteria from accumulating along the gum line.

Will my dental insurance pay for the procedure?

This will vary depending upon your insurance. If you have concerns, speak with your dental practice’s insurance and billing associate. This employee can help you understand what your insurance will or will not pay for and establish a payment plan if your insurance will not cover the procedure.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a crown varies widely depending upon what type of material is used, the size of the tooth, the complexity of the procedure, and how extensively the tooth was damaged. A crown may cost anywhere from $600 to $2,000. Every patient’s needs are different. Speak with your dentist to obtain an estimate for a crown that suits your needs. Most importantly, if you have any questions about whether or not a crown is right for you, speak with your dentist, who can provide more specific information. To view an animated illustration of a how a dental crown is placed and a cross-section of a dental crown, visit this site.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit: What You Should Know: There are several memorable milestones in a child’s life: the first words, the first steps and the first tooth … which means the first trip to the dentist. Getting your child ready for the dentist can be a daunting task, and to some, it seems unimportant. After all, the child is going to lose the “baby teeth” anyway. So how important is a first trip to a dentist? Very important.

Baby Teeth Set The Stage

Baby teeth are so crucial that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that children should see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Decay in baby teeth can increase the risk of decay in permanent teeth, and baby teeth help form a path that permanent teeth will follow. No one wants to have an unpleasant experience at the dental office. At Dental Express, we offer the convenience of being able to care for your entire family—our dental professionals specialize in treating both adults and children, so we are sensitive to the needs and concerns of our younger patients.

Tips For Your Child’s First Dental Visit

By making your child’s first trip to the dentist a positive one, you set the stage for a lifetime of good dental health. Here are some tips to help prepare your child for his or her first dental checkup:

• Provide a list of any medical conditions your child has or any medication he or she may be taking.
• Find an age-appropriate manner to explain to your child what is going to happen at the dentist’s office. This may involve finger puppets or colorful characters such as the “mouth monsters” that can be found here.
• Practice brushing your child’s teeth. Not only will this help establish good dental habits, but it will get your child used to the feel of a toothbrush in his or her mouth.
• Introduce your child to the dentist on the first visit. It may help for the dentist to show the tools that will be used.
• Bring a security blanket or a favorite toy to help your child feel more comfortable.
• Sometimes letting the child see and hear certain dental tools before a cleaning can be helpful, particularly if these tools–such as the suction cup/ spitting cup and rotary toothbrush—make loud noises.
• Reward good behavior by allowing the child to get a small prize from a grab bag.
• We have found that children (and adults!) enjoy looking at the trains in our waiting areas. Visiting the office before your actual appointment can help introduce the child to a new building with new sights, sounds and smells, therefore reducing anxiety before the actual appointment.

If you have questions about children’s dentistry or how to prepare your child for his or her first checkup, feel free to speak with us! We have provided dental care for entire families. We are happy to work with parents to ensure a positive experience and to help you teach your child about the importance of good dental hygiene.

---

Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “FAQ: America’s Pediatric Dentists” Fox, Isadora. Parents Magazine. “First Trip to the Dentist.” American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry “Mouth Monsters“