Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Repairing your smile is essential to your oral health and often results in dental restoration work. Unfortunately, there are a few permanent dental solutions that can last forever and most need repair or replacement due to discoloration, disrepair, or age. Fortunately, replacing old dental work can be an effective way to improve your smile aesthetics and functionality. But is it affordable? Our Greeneville cosmetic dentists at Tusculum Dental Care answer the question on the blog today if replacing old dental work is affordable and how your oral health can benefit from updating old restorations.
Common Dental Work Replacements:
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Fillings
Metal or discolored tooth fillings can be very unattractive in your smile. Therefore, our smile makeover dentists in Jonesborough can remove discolored fillings and create a tooth-colored composite for new fillings that will blend seamlessly with your smile. Unfortunately, large metal fillings are known to cause teeth to crack or split that require additional treatments, like dental crowns, to preserve the tooth’s functionality and integrity.
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Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are an exceptional treatment for excessively damaged teeth. Due to their structure, durability, and benefits, they can last for years. Therefore, our Greeneville smile makeover dentists recommend replacing crowns only when it’s necessary. Like many other treatments, the cost to replace crowns is highly reflective of the materials cost and can vary from provider to provider. However, the most significant factor in determining how much everything will cost is your oral health condition and what must be done to replace the old restoration.
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Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is an effective, inexpensive method to address small visual flaws in your teeth. Unfortunately, it can also stain faster than other restoration types because of the composite material. Therefore, when you decide to change bonding areas, it may be beneficial to consider upgrading your smile with stain-resistant dental veneers. Our Erwin cosmetic dentists explain that not only will you maintain a brighter smile longer, but you get better reinforcement and coverage compared to bonding.
Will my insurance cover replacing my old dental work?
Dental insurance coverage varies from one carrier and plan to another and may or may not cover replacing restorative work. The coverage depends on the age and condition of your current restoration. If it’s new and you simply don’t like the look of it, your insurance plan will probably not approve the coverage. However, if you had a restoration years ago that “put in its time,” updating it can usually receive insurance approval.
During your consultation, our Greeneville smile makeover dentists can discuss your insurance coverage options, treatment plan, and additional financial commitments, if any. Then, you can decide how you would like to approach your treatment based on the recommended treatment plan and the availability of insurance benefits.
What can happen if I fail to replace old dental work?
Replacing old dental work may not be a purely cosmetic venture. For example, patients with a loose crown should seek immediate treatment to prevent further damage to their tooth. Our Jonesborough cosmetic dentists explain that avoiding treatment could result in bacteria and food getting trapped in the leaky margins and creating cavities or an abscess. In other cases, the old dental work may fail and cause additional damage to your surrounding teeth or gums, increasing your overall dental care bill.
Smile Makeover Dentists in Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin, Tennessee
Whether your old dental work is failing or you’re ready to update your smile, we can help you achieve your smile goals, no matter your budget. If you need to replace dental restorations or would like to schedule a smile makeover consultation, please call Tusculum Dental Care at (423) 639-7575 or contact us online today.