It is easy to have a variety of reasons to put off dental treatment. Finances is often a big one. However, if a tooth is not hurting or bothersome, it is also easy to put it on the back burner. It is actually advantageous to find decay or dental problems BEFORE they start hurting. Let’s look at some reasons to schedule that recommended treatment even though it is not bothering you!
May require a smaller restoration
Preserving as much natural tooth structure is always our goal! The more of your natural tooth structure we can save, the better! Nothing truly replaces your own God-given tooth, so keeping restorations small is to the your benefit. Treating a tooth as soon as a problem is discovered prevents decay or cracks to worsen, which can result in more extensive and expensive treatment!
Less sensitivity
The smaller the restoration, the less likely the restoration will cause tooth sensitivity. Dental treatment is traumatizing to the tooth. The closer dental treatment is to the nerve of the tooth, the more likely the tooth will have temporary sensitivity. Treating teeth before decay is in close proximity to the nerve will prevent the likelihood that the tooth will be sensitive following treatment.
Less likely to need root canal therapy
When decay reaches the pulp, or nerve, of a tooth, then root canal therapy is required to save the tooth. If a filling or crown is recommended before the problem has affected the nerve, it is important to treat as soon as possible so that the nerve does not end up being affected. Once decay reaches the inside of the tooth, it tends to grow quickly. Since there is no way to predict how quickly decay will worsen, it is important to schedule any dental treatment as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of needing root canal therapy.
Less time in the chair
We know everyone is busy these days. It is difficult to find time to fit it all in! When dental treatment is scheduled before it gets too extensive, it also means less time in the dental chair. Simply put, less extensive treatment takes less time.
Less expensive
Fillings are less expensive than crowns. Crowns are less expensive than root canal therapy with a crown. Fillings and crowns are less expensive than an extraction with bone graft and implant. See the trend? The sooner a tooth problem is addressed, the less likely it is to become more extensive and expensive. There is no benefit to putting off dental treatment!
There are so many benefits to scheduling dental treatment as soon as it’s recommended. Unfortunately, cracks and cavities do not repair themselves, therefore there is no benefit to putting off treatment. Please call Adams and Cheek Dentistry or click here to schedule your recommended treatment!
