"Why Can't I Just Have A Filling?"

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Patients often go into a dentist's office with the expectations that the only thing we need is a simple film only to be told that they need extra dental work involving inlays, onlays or crown build-ups.

While crowns are typically covered by dental insurance because they're considered a "major benefit", inlays, onlays and crown build-ups may be considered by an insurance policy to be a "Least Expensive Alternative Treatment" (LEAT) reimbursement which means that the patient is faced with much higher out-of-pocket expenses or settling for what amounts to be an inferior treatment.

With limited expected benefits for inlays, onlays, and crowns, patients may ask: "Why can't I just have a filling? According to the September 2007 issue of Woman Dentist Journal, the most easy-to-understand answers to this question include:

• A tooth with a defective "filling" or with cracks or fractures may be a tooth with bacteria and fluids seeping into it
  
  
• Bacteria may "eat away" at what is left of the tooth, eventually reaching and contaminated the nerve and blood supply, causing toxins to drain out the root "end," forming an abscess
  
  
• Once an abscess has formed, a root canal procedure is required, and an onlay or crown will be needed anyway.

So the next time you go into a dentist's office for a filling, don't be surprised if you end up needing a lot more than a hole in your tooth being patched. *And your dental insurance may not even cover it.

* Luckily, all of the discount dental plans that I sell cover inlays, onlays and crown build-ups. In fact, expect to save anywhere from 25% to as much as 50% off the regular retail price for these dental procedures.

Happy Birthday "My Dental Complaint"

With as little fanfare as possible, and proud to announce that this week marks the one-year anniversary of the blog "My Dental Complaint". I would appreciate it if you would wish my blog a happy birthday in the comments section. Yes, I am that desperatefor feedback that I would actually ask for readers to acknowledge my blog.

One thing I did not know about this month is that October is National Dental Hygiene month. So keep flossing those pearly whites of yours and life will be just great.

Who Among Us Has Bad Breath?

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If you never brush your teeth and eat lots of onions, bad breath is sure to follow. But the causes are not always that obvious.

The October issue of the Journal of Dental Research reported that researchers from Tel Aviv University looked for personal traits that might be linked with bad breath. They found that people with bad breath drink more alcohol, and are likely to be overweight or obese.

The researchers gave a questionnaire to 88 people who were getting check-ups in a doctor's office. They also used three measures to see if the people in the study had bad breath.

Each person's breath was judged by one of the researchers. They gave each person a breath test called a Halimeter. The test measures volatile sulfides, chemicals that contribute to bad breath. The researchers also took saliva samples and measured the levels of a chemical called beta-galactosidase.

In nine people, all three tests indicated bad breath. Those people drank more alcohol than people whose tests did not show bad breath. They also were more likely to have a high body mass index, indicating excess weight.

The Most Common Causes Of Bad Breath
Bad breath can be a sign of other medical problems, including chronic sinus infections, diabetes, reflux or bronchitis. However, in most otherwise healthy people, bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. It can be controlled with brushing, flossing, and scraping or brushing the tongue.

A recent study of older people found that 28% believed they had bad breath. Most of these people did not brush their teeth more than once a day. Most also reported that their mouths felt constantly dry. Dry mouth is also called xerostomia. It is a common side effect of medicines. It can contribute to bad breath.

How Often Should Teeth Be X-Rayed?

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Many people require regular X-rays to monitor their oral health. Exactly how often this happens will depend on your medical and dental history and current oral/dental condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. People who visit the dentist regularly and have excellent oral health may need X-rays only every three years or so.

To see how often you or your family members might need X-rays, check out this chart based on information from the American Dental Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Who needs more frequent or regular radiographs?

* Children and adolescents Children and adolescents at high risk of decay may need X-rays taken once every six months or once a year, depending on age. X-rays also help monitor tooth development.

* Adults with extensive restoration work, including fillings and crowns X-rays help the dentist find decay beneath existing fillings and crowns or in new locations.

* People with periodontal (gum) disease X-rays can reveal if there are significant or continuing signs of bone loss. If this has happened, then periodontal (gum) surgery may be needed

* People with dry mouth, also called xerostomia Saliva helps keep the acid levels (pH) in the mouth stable. In a dry mouth, the pH decreases. This causes the minerals in the teeth to break down, leaving them prone to decay. Dry mouth can occur as the result of taking certain medications, or it can be a result of cancer treatment or a chronic disease.

* Smokers Smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease.