The majority of people don’t look forward to getting dental fillings, but sometimes it’s necessary to preserve the health of your smile. They help to prevent infections and tooth loss! If you’ve been informed that you need a new filling or two, it is a good idea to get this done before the year ends. This way, you can prevent future dental problems while maximizing your benefits. Read on to learn about the consequences of waiting too long as well as how your dental insurance plays a role in this process.
What Happens If You Put off Getting Dental Fillings?
When a tooth has become decayed, this is irreversible. While your body has the miraculous ability to heal itself, this does not apply to tooth enamel. When left untreated, you could be looking at a variety of oral health issues. It will continue to destroy healthy parts of the tooth until you reach the point where a filling is not enough. If you put off getting your filling(s), you will likely end up needing one of the following treatments instead:
- Root Canal Therapy: If decay reaches the pulp inside the tooth, the bacteria will irritate and infect it. Ultimately, you could end up with an abscess which can be very painful. To save your tooth, you will need to undergo root canal therapy. This involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it off. A lot of the time, the treated tooth will then be covered with a crown to keep it safe.
- Extraction: When a cavity is left untreated for too long, it may reach the point where a dentist can no longer save it with a root canal. Instead, you will need to have your tooth extracted to prevent the spread of infection to other areas of the mouth and body.
How Does Dental Insurance Play a Role?
If you have dental insurance, you are most likely going to lose out on all of your unused benefits by the end of the calendar year. Your annual deductible is the amount of money that you need to pay out of pocket each year until you can take advantage of your benefits. Every January, this amount resets and you are left responsible for paying it again. If you have already paid your deductible for the year, you can save money by getting your fillings before 2022 comes to a close.
It’s not the best idea to wait when it comes to dental fillings. By heading to the dental office soon, you can save yourself from more costly and invasive procedures and even reduce the overall cost. This way, you can start the new year with a healthy smile and additional money in the bank!
About the Author
Dr. Rachit Goyal earned his dental doctorate from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and has attended advanced courses in Invisalign. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Illinois Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and SPEAR Education. To learn more about dental fillings or insurance or to schedule an appointment at his office in Denver, visit his website or call (720) 640-0272.