Why You Should Consider Getting Dental Fillings by The End of the Year!

Tooth decay is a serious problem; even if you practice good oral hygiene, your teeth are still vulnerable to its ravaging effects! Luckily, restorative solutions such as dental fillings are a great way to assist those damaged teeth and protect them from further harm. That said, you shouldn’t postpone opting for solutions like tooth-colored fillings; especially if you have dental insurance benefits that expire at the end of the year! Here’s why you should consider getting them while you’re covered.

How Fillings Prevent Serious Oral Health Issues

If you have an issue like a cavity, whether it’s causing you pain or not, it’s something that needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. Cavities don’t heal on their own and will continue to grow and weaken your enamel until addressed by your dentist. As this enamel burns away, the sensitive inner layers of your tooth become exposed to damaging bacteria. This puts you at risk for serious oral health issues like intense toothaches and hypersensitivity, dental infections, and even total tooth loss.

Fortunately, fillings can greatly mitigate these issues. They’re great for restoring damaged teeth and returning their functionality, all while also eliminating your pain! Your dentist will apply a local anesthesia at the beginning of the appointment and then remove the tooth decay with a special drill before applying the filling. Depending on the type of material used, your dentist will secure it to your tooth and harden it, ensuring that it looks and feels natural while also remaining sturdy. Once it’s situated, it provides restoration to the tooth as well as future protection.

How Fillings Save You Money in the Long Run

According to the National Association of Dental Plans, only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plan participants actually reached or exceeded their annual maximums—which means a lot of people are simply not taking full advantage of the money-saving benefits of things like dental fillings!

Simply put, fillings are much cheaper than several other treatment options including root canal therapy, crowns, tooth extractions and the following replacements, and more. All of these treatment options become necessary when a patient’s oral health becomes compromised. And while keeping up with an oral hygiene routine will go a long way, dental fillings provide an added layer of protection to your teeth that is just too good to pass up! And in doing this, they save you money by eliminating the need for extensive and expensive dental treatments.

Why You Should Get Fillings by the End of the Year

Of course, getting fillings at any time is beneficial to your oral health, but if you can, you should try to get them by the end of the calendar year. Most insurance companies have a benefit deadline of December 31^st, meaning that any unused benefits don’t rollover into the next year for most dental plans. Still, some plans may differ and end at different times of the year, so it’s important to check your plan’s details. Nonetheless, receiving fillings while you’re covered means that you’re taking advantage of your benefits!

Dental fillings are an effective and affordable way to protect your smile, and there’s no reason to put off getting them! Talk with your dentist before the end of the year if you’re curious about receiving them while you’re covered; your smile and wallet will both thank you!

About the Practice

The team at Dental Excellence Melbourne is honored to serve the dental needs of the area under the leadership of Dr. Cedric Chenet, Dr. Derek Chenet, and Dr. Veronica Yu. Together they’re proud to offer a wide range of services including tooth-colored fillings. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange an appointment, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (321) 255-0199.