Get Your Fillings Before the End of the Year

Although cavities are preventable, at least 92% of adults have had one in a permanent tooth. Fillings are the go-to solution to treat early stages of decay. The procedure is quick and effective; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 26% of adults have untreated decay. If your tooth isn’t giving you any problems, why waste money having it fixed? Although it may not seem like a big deal now, it can lead to irreversible damage to your smile. If you’re concerned about the cost, you can use your dental insurance to preserve your oral health for minimal expense.

What Happens If You Don’t Get Fillings?

Your teeth are protected by the hardest substance in your body. Your enamel is the hard outer layer you see when looking in the mirror. It protects the softer inner layers, called the dentin and pulp. Although enamel is very durable, cavity-causing bacteria can erode it. Unfortunately, enamel can’t regenerate, and no amount of brushing will reverse tooth decay.

Without any intervention, the decay will progress through each layer of your tooth. Although you didn’t have any symptoms before, severe decay can cause significant pain and infection. If the pulp is compromised, a filling is no longer an option.

Root canal therapy will be needed, which costs more than a filling. If you choose to keep ignoring the problem despite the pain, the infection can enter your bloodstream. As it circulates throughout your body, it can cause potentially deadly complications.

Thankfully, you have dental insurance. You can treat cavities quickly without draining your bank account and invest in reduced long-term oral health expenses.

Maximize Your Dental Insurance

Paying your monthly premiums for your dental insurance provides a financial safety net for your smile. Your plan is designed to keep your mouth healthy for reduced rates. Most policies include 100% preventive coverage. After a copayment, you can visit your dentist every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup. Research shows you can save up to $50 on restorative and emergency costs for every $1 spent on prevention. Routine dental care stops many issues from occurring, like tooth decay or gum disease.

If you have a need a filling, don’t worry about a large bill. Your dental benefits include an annual allowance to offset the amount you pay for common services, like fillings, extractions, or periodontal therapy. After reaching your deductible, your benefits can pay up to 80% of the cost to treat a cavity early to avoid serious complications down the road.

Invest in a Healthy Smile

Although the new year is right around the corner, there’s still time to use your coverage before your benefits reset. Start 2022 with a healthy, beautiful smile.

About Dr. Caroline Salib

Dr. Salib earned her dental degree from Case Western Reserve University before continuing her training in cutting-edge treatments and techniques, like hard tissue lasers and tooth-colored restorations. She works with many dental insurances to keep her services affordable. If you have a cavity needing treatment, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.