Trauma

Traumatic injuries to teeth can result from a sports injury or accident. Often, these injuries result in minor damage, such as a chip or crack, to a tooth. If a crack is large enough, it may spread to the root. This type of injury may require tooth extraction or placement of a dental crown to preserve oral health. 

Complications Related to Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are commonly extracted for a variety of reasons. Around 10 million third molars are removed each year in the United States. Wisdom teeth are prone to becoming impacted, meaning they are unable to fully emerge. Partially impacted teeth partly emerge while fully impacted wisdom teeth are unable to emerge at all. This situation can cause a wide range of dental problems, including an increased risk for cavities or infection or dental crowding. 

Even when a wisdom tooth fully emerges, it is often at an increased risk for cavities because wisdom teeth are difficult to clean. During your dental exam, Dr. Bridges will determine if your wisdom tooth requires extraction. The procedure is far more comfortable than most people anticipate. 

An Abscess

Wisdom teeth are prone to developing an abscess due to the fact that they are more difficult to clean. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms inside a wisdom tooth, often near the root. Patients often notice pain as a result of this advanced infection. By the time symptoms arise, the body’s ability to fight off the infection has probably been compromised. To protect your jaw and surrounding tissue, an emergency tooth extraction will likely be needed. 

Failed Root Canal Procedure

There are multiple reasons that a root canal can fail and require tooth extraction. If all the bacteria are not removed from within the tooth before it is sealed, the infection can reemerge. If the structure of the dental crown is compromised, bacteria can reenter the tooth’s pulp. The inner seal that is placed following your root canal therapy can break down over time. Whatever the cause, the presence of an advanced infection within the tooth following root canal therapy may require tooth extraction to prevent further health problems. 

Cosmetic Considerations

Many people do not realize that tooth extraction can be combined with orthodontic treatments or other procedures to add symmetry and beauty to your smile. Removing wisdom teeth can prevent the teeth from ruining your smile following treatments using Invisalign or traditional braces. Some patients can benefit from tooth extraction as preparation for placement of implant-supported prosthetics or dentures.  

Contact Our Duncan, OK Office Today

Many of the dental problems that require tooth extraction are considered dental emergencies. If you are experiencing the sudden onset of pain from a tooth, contact our office by calling (580) 255-4880. Our staff will set up an immediate appointment to address your dental needs.  

The post Reasons You May Need to Undergo Tooth Extraction appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

How Often Do I Need Dental Visits?

Each patient has unique oral health needs, so the frequency of these visits can vary for person to person. Most patients see the dentist every six months, although some may need more frequent cleanings if they are prone to certain issues, such as periodontal disease. Most dental insurance plans cover the cost of biannual visits.

Factors that Dr. Bridges will consider when scheduling the frequency of your exams or cleanings may include:

• Severity of periodontitis (gum disease)
• Age
• Frequency of past dental visits
• Restorative treatments the patient has undergone in the past
• Restorative or cosmetic treatments that are being considered

What Are the Benefits of Regular Dental Visits?

• Prevention of dental problems: Prevention is always preferable to treatment. Dental exams and cleanings can address a wide range of dental problems before they develop. If you do have gum disease, cleanings can reverse the spread of harmful periodontitis. By removing plaque and food build-up, you can lower the risk of developing cavities. Oral cancer screenings are another potentially life-saving exam that can be performed quickly and for little cost.
• Brighter smile: You don’t have to undergo cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening to enjoy the benefits of a brighter smile. Cleanings can remove buildup. One final step of the process involves polishing the front row of teeth for an even whiter smile.
• No more bad breath: Cleanings can address bad breath. There are many causes of foul-smelling breath. During your exam, Dr. Bridges will be able to explain some of the potential causes while prescribing treatments or remedies.
• Boosted self-confidence: If you suffer from tooth pain or gum disease, you know how insecure that can leave you feeling. Once your dental problems have been treated, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are in good oral health.
• Improved overall health: Endocarditis (heart infection), heart disease, and stroke have all been linked to gum disease. Research continues, but the current consensus points to bacteria entering the bloodstream through infected gums as one potential cause of these ailments.
• Lower overall treatment costs: Dental implants, dentures, and other restorative treatments can cost thousands of dollars. The need for many of these procedures can be prevented with regular dental visits.

What Preventative Treatments Are Offered at Chisholm Trail Smile Center?

• Routine Examinations
• Regular Cleanings
• Patient Education
• Dental Sealants
• Fluoride Treatments
• Custom Mouth Guards
• Digital X-rays
• Oral Cancer Screening

Contact Our Office Today!

It’s never too late to address dental problems. If you are interested in learning more about treatments in preventative dentistry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bridges. Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center online, or call our office at (580) 255-4880.

The post Benefits of Regular Dental Office Visits appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

At Chisholm Trail Smile Center, we work in-network with Health Choice and Delta Premier but accept many other forms of dental insurance. For patients who lack dental insurance, we offer in-house financing through CareCredit as well as other payment options.

Whether you have insurance, Medicare, or prefer financing, our staff will work to ensure that affordability is not a barrier to proper dental care.

Will My Procedure Be Covered by Dental Insurance?

Generally speaking, preventative and diagnostic treatments (such as consultations and cleanings) are covered entirely by dental insurance plans. The idea is to encourage patients to seek preventative care before more dangerous (and expensive) complications develop. Most insurance plans cover a significant percentage of fillings, root canals, and other necessary procedures. More expensive restorative treatments such as dental crowns and bridges are often covered at around 50 percent, depending on your plan. Cosmetic treatments are rarely covered.

Our clinic will either be classified as in-network or out-of-network by your dental insurance provider. For out-of-network insurance holders, patients may be responsible for the difference between our office fee and the allowable fee determined by your policy. Out-of-network insurance plans still provide benefits at our clinic.

If you have questions about which procedures are covered, one of our staff will be glad to contact your insurance company. Many procedures, especially more costly ones, require that insurance companies are pre-notified in advance of the treatment. By understanding how your dental insurance works, you can avoid unwanted surprises.

Our office also accepts Medicare for certain procedures.

Tips for getting the most out of your dental insurance include:

• Taking advantage of free cleanings (usually twice a year)
• Know the difference between HMO and PPO plans
• Stay in network whenever possible
• Schedule procedures to maximize benefits (while not exceeding maximum benefits)
• Shop around if you’re unhappy with your benefits

What Are My Options If I Don’t Have Insurance?

If you do not have dental insurance, you’re not alone. Nearly 25 percent of adults in the United States lack dental insurance. Not to worry, you still have several payment options at our clinic.

• Installment payments: Our office is glad to divide your treatment costs into small, affordable monthly payments.
• CareCredit: Millions of Americans have used CareCredit to pay for medical services. The zero interest financing option can be completed online at our Duncan, OK office. CareCredit is the trusted medical financing company of more than 200,000 healthcare providers across the United States. The application process usually only takes a few minutes.

Our office also accepts:

• Cash
• Personal Check
• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Discover

Contact Us Today

Affordability should not be the final determiner when deciding whether to seek dental treatments or not. At Chisholm Trail Smile Center in Duncan, OK, we believe quality dental care can be attainable for everyone. Our staff will take the time to explain your payment options. We bill all dental insurance providers. If you have questions or concerns over dental insurance or other forms of financing, contact us online or call (580) 255-4880.

The post Paying for Care: Dental Insurance in Duncan OK appeared first on Chisholm Trail.