COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY DENTAL PATIENTS, VALUE SMILES, AFFORDABLE DENTIST OF LITHIA SPRINGS AND DOUGLASVILLE, GA

COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED BY DENTAL PATIENTS
VALUE SMILES, AFFORDABLE DENTIST OF LITHIA SPRINGS AND DOUGLASVILLE, GA

1. WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS AND WHY SHOULD I GET THEM?

Dental sealants are a plastic coating that adheres to the biting surface of pre-molar and molar teeth. This is considered a preventative service by most dental insurances and is covered at 100%. However, there is usually an age limit and frequency limitation. Our Lithia Spring dentists at Value Smiles recommends them for children and adults as long as the tooth is completely erupted.

If a sealant is done properly it can last for years and years. Sealants were designed to fill the creases in the chewing surface to protect the common areas that plaque hides and causes tooth decay. Due to the effectiveness of patients with sealants develop fewer cavities than patients without them dental insurances have begun to cover the procedure at any age.

Patient’s that grind their teeth have seen less wear and tear on their teeth because the sealants act as a barrier and help in the prevention of fractures. If your dental insurance provider does not cover sealants for adults our dentists at Value Smiles would probably offer a reduced rate.

Sealants are clear or white in color when they are completely dry or light cured. Dental sealants are usually placed on a freshly cleaned and polished tooth, by your dental hygienist or dental assistants. The best result is from a stain free polished tooth that has been etched with a dental material that assures the adhesiveness to the tooth. The sealant material is brushed on the biting surface just like applying nail polish. Making sure every crevice is filled then a blue curing light is placed above the tooth to harden the sealant. If the area gets wet or mixes with saliva it will probably come off within a few days. During the placement of the dental sealant you will have to keep your tongue out of the way.

If any of your sealants chip, crack or comes off it should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid exposure to bacteria and staining. Patients with sealants should stay away from sticky candy and gum; it may pull off the sealant.

Dental sealants are an excellent investment in your child or your oral health. Just remember to address the areas not covered by the sealant. Brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will ensure that cavities do not form between the teeth and around the gum tissue.

2. ARE DENTAL X-RAY HARMFUL AND DO THEY CAUSE CANCER?

The answer to both questions is an educated NO. Dental professionals are making huge technological advances in the dental field. Especially the new digital x-rays and high speed film. When used by a dental professional with proper training they lower the radiation level emitted during a dental x-ray. The digital x-ray machine was calculated to only expose the small area being x-rayed to the radiation beam. The high speed film limits the time of exposure. This prevents the scatter radiation that was one of the problems with the older x-ray units.

Remember how uncomfortable the holders used to be? They would be too large and when you bit down they would move. This would only result in another x-ray being taken, repeating the process of scatter radiation and exposure.

The lead apron is no longer necessary because the radiation is focused on that one area and there is no scatter radiation to expose you or anyone else in range. But dentists at our Lithia Springs and Douglasville office use lead aprons to ensure your safety, used as another precaution. Even we double shield for pregnant patients.

When a person is continuously exposed to radiation of any kind from any source can damage the cells and tissues of that person’s body. This will lead to the development of many different types of cancer. Places where a person can be exposed are in sunlight, at home, work, dental office, medical office and even using household appliances.

Studies performed on patients using the two different types of x-rays have proven that the digital x-ray machine emits the lowest levels of the list. Dental x-rays are a necessary diagnostic tool in discovering malformations of the teeth, facial bones, cavities, bone loss, soft tissue abnormalities and wisdom teeth placement.
There is a lot of misinformation about the safety of dental X- rays. The X-rays used in dentistry emit less radiation than the natural radiation exposure from Sun, air, water and soil. But the dental X –rays are worth it due to its effectiveness in finding early cavities, cysts, abscesses, anomalies, tumors, condition of the fillings and crowns and other reasons.

Please contact us at 770-489-9141 or visit us at WWW.MYVALUESMILES.COM for any further information about dental X-rays. We have same day appointments in most situations. We accept most major dental insurances. We are conveniently located at 2635 Lee Road, Suite C4, Lithia Springs, GA-30122. We are in the Publix plaza at the intersection of Fairburn Road and Lee Road. Value Smiles provide Affordable Dental Care with Excellent Customer Service to patients in Lithia Springs, Douglasville, Austell, Mableton, Powder Springs and surrounding areas.