Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure. This means that it is an elective procedure, rather than something that is necessary for the person’s health. Unfortunately most insurance, even dental insurance, does not cover cosmetic dentistry. A lack of insurance coverage does not have to rule out whiter teeth. There are things that you can do...
A number of factors go into deciding which method to use to straighten crooked teeth. Patients need to consider what will provide the best result for their specific problem, how long it will take, and how well it fits with their lifestyle. For many people, Invisalign checks all of the boxes. Invisalign is an extremely...
Suppose you get a checkup and the dentist discovers cavities. You need to get them filled to prevent further tooth decay. The procedure is not too costly, but you cannot pay out of pocket right now. Does insurance cover the cost of dental fillings? It all depends on what kind of insurance is under discussion....
When deciding how to straighten teeth, dental patients often weigh the pros and cons of traditional braces and plastic aligners. Braces tend to work better on extremely crooked teeth, but aligners like Invisalign are less noticeable. There is a third option that offers the best of both worlds. Lingual braces are hidden from view, and...
Dental sealants are a safe and effective way to prevent cavities for kids. But are they just for kids? After all, tooth decay can still happen at any age. Why shouldn’t adults get dental sealants, too? Instead of asking “can adults get sealants?” (the short answer: They can), a more relevant question is whether the...
Most people assume that they have no choice but to get a crown after a root canal. But patients who are concerned about the time, discomfort, and cost of a crown might wonder if they can skip this part of a tooth restoration. While placing a crown is the typical final stage in almost all...
Dental fillings are the go-to solution for a cavity. They offer a safe, effective fix that can be completed in a single visit to the dentist. While placing a filling is a quick and routine procedure, there are times when a dentist might choose to do a short-term repair with a temporary filling, sometimes called...
Modern-day dentistry has advanced in some remarkable ways. Things like dental implants that look and feel just like real teeth and dental sealants that help children avoid getting cavities would have surprised dentists and patients alike 100 years ago. As welcome as these advancements are for many people, they are bound to raise some questions....
Jaw pain, difficulty chewing, or a clicking or locking of the jaw joint are all signs that there might be a problem with the temporomandibular (tem-per-oh-man-DI-byoo-ler) joint, or TMJ. This is the joint that connects the lower jaw, or mandible, to the skull; it can be found in front of the ears on both sides...
Dental crowns are an effective tool in restoring damaged or decayed teeth. Even though crowns are not expected to last forever, patients might assume they no longer need to worry about getting a cavity in the crowned tooth. Unfortunately, it is possible to get cavities under a dental crown. And just like cavities anywhere else...