How much for a filling? Wrong question – Part 3 More Assessment – Mouth Hostility!
Treatment, requiring a filling, needs to be considered in the environment of which it is “living in”.
Pardon the pun – “no tooth is an island”.
We want the treatment to last and ensure that the mouth is not “hostile” to its teeth.
Sometimes the teeth anatomy of in its itself can be hostile. How is that possible. Well blame mum and dad. It’s genetics. Some teeth can form with very deep grooves, called fissures. So deep that cannot be cleaned properly. Hence higher risk of hidden large decay.
Not good, maybe another question should be “how much for no fillings?” It would be a lot cheaper, both financially and more important, biologically.
One answer is sealing. This changes the shape of the tooth by flowing material into the fissure, so it can become self-cleaning. In other words, we don’t need to rely on the human to clean the uncleanable!
Occasionally a fissure, though usage, change in bite, or poor cleaning & diet, can trap more bacteria. Food gets caught in the changed anatomy a seal would be best to prevent a filling. In other words, the only constant is change.
You need another set of eyes to for this. Yes, those regular dental check-ups are just the ticket!
Now the bite is great for chewing, but not so great when we clench or grind.
VERY, VERY hostile!
It’s a bit of a “pandemic” as most people do this at one time or another, but some take it to a whole new level! Sometimes the filling is to repair a part of the tooth that has sheard off. The ultimately level of hostility is splitting the tooth right down to the end of the root…. “How much to take it out”?
Treatment of clenching and grinding through adjustments, and occlusal splint therapy have saved countless teeth (and jaw joints & muscles) from ruin.
There is a physiological component to this as well. Comfortable eating, and swallowing, without muscle & jaw joint aches and cracked teeth, can be life changing!
Crowns may need to made used to protect teeth from being cracked or those that are cracked.
This is why not have having regular check-ups and only coming where there is problem, is not in your best interest or even too late.
As I have often said “Happy teeth, (and Mouth), Happy Life!”
Now for something completely different…
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