3 Ways to Fix a Damaged Tooth 

A damaged tooth can be a painful, unpleasant problem to have. What’s worse is that a damaged tooth can lead to dental infection and even tooth extraction or tooth loss. If you have a damaged or injured tooth, see the dentist in Rockville, MD, as soon as possible. Some dental injuries are emergencies that need to be addressed quickly.

Even if your tooth is unlikely to become infected, a damaged tooth can impact your smile. At Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we can help you determine whether your dental injury requires a restorative or cosmetic dentistry procedure like one of the procedures below.

1. Dental Crown

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over the top of your tooth to reinforce the enamel and cover up any cosmetic defects. Dental crowns can be restorative or cosmetic. Some dental crowns are made of porcelain while others are made of metal. Either way, if you have a severe break in your tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental crown.

2. Dental Veneer

A dental veneer is a cover that’s placed over the front of the tooth only. To make room for the veneer, your dentist will shave down some of your tooth enamel.

The purpose of a dental veneer is to hide whatever is underneath, whether that’s a chip, crack, or discoloration. Dental veneers are not intended to fix structural problems with your tooth. If your tooth has a structural problem like weak enamel, your dentist may recommend a dental crown.

3. Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is similar to a dental veneer, except it doesn’t require the tooth enamel to be shaved for installation. Bonding is also not permanent. After a few years, dental bonding chips off and must be replaced.

Are you interested in cosmetic or restorative dentistry in Rockville, MD? Call Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to make an appointment.

3 Common Dental Problems For Children

Don’t wait for your older child to get a toothache before visiting the dentist. Children should have their first dental visit no later than the age of one, when their first tooth erupts, or earlier if there may be a potential tooth or gum problem.

1. Tongue-tie or Lip-tie

These are two congenital conditions that may go unnoticed without the help of your pediatric dentist in Rockville, MD. Tongue-tie is when the tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short, and restricts range of motion. Lip-tie is when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the upper gums is restrictive. Both can potentially cause problems with breastfeeding, speaking impairments, eating problems and dental alignment issues.

2. Baby Teeth Decay

Many parents are surprised to learn that baby teeth can decay before they even erupt from the gums. Typically, this is at least partially caused by an excess of sugary drinks, such as apple juice. An early visit to your child’s dentist will include helpful tips and advice to help you to avoid the need to extract decayed baby teeth. And, if problems have already developed, your family dentist will offer effective solutions that support your child’s future dental health.

3. Alignment Issues

Alignment problems with children’s teeth are often caused by thumb sucking and/or the use of pacifiers. While pacifiers serve a valuable purpose for parents, their prolonged use can cause teeth to grow in crooked. Unfortunately, thumb sucking can do the same thing. Your family dentist in Rockville, MD has helpful ideas to help your child break the pacifier habit. We can also identify potential alignment issues before they become expensive orthodontic problems later on.

Your Rockville, MD, dentist is here for your whole family, including your children. Contact us now for a child-friendly dentist visit!

How Does Insurance Define Prevention Services?

A dental insurance policy can be a tricky document to read, and it’s not just because it’s full of legal jargon. Because insurance has to account for a number of different scenarios, the clauses can be interpreted in different ways by different people. If you’re wondering what exactly constitutes preventative dentistry in the eyes of an insurance company, we’ll take you through the basics.

Preventative Dental Care

The vast majority of dental plans will cover dental prevention services in Rockville, MD. The idea is that the more they pay upfront, the less they’ll have to pay if their teeth are severely damaged due to neglect. It’s important to note here that even the most diligent of brushers and flossers aren’t immune to plaque or tartar buildup, which can ultimately cause tooth decay and gum disease if you’re not careful.

What’s Covered Under Insurance?

Every insurance policy is different, but most will cover your exams, cleanings, and X-rays. What’s more important is the portion that’s covered and whether you have any limits under the policy. Because dental care can add up over time, many dental plans have limits as to how much they’ll cover over the course of the year. For instance, they may cap you at $2,000 for the year. Once you hit that limit, prevention work will not be covered under the plan.

Find a General Dentist in Rockville

If you’re looking for a dentist in Rockville who can help you make the most of your oral health, no matter what state it’s in currently, contact Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today. Our staff can help you schedule preventative care so it’s as resilient as possible. We can also help you plan your budget around your insurance plan, no matter what it covers.