Do Crowns Last Longer than Fillings?

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Crowns and fillings are both proven ways to restore a tooth that’s suffered decay or damage. If you’re wondering which one lasts longer, we’ll look at what you should know about their long-term results.

Crowns vs. Fillings

As a general rule, quality crowns in Indianapolis, IN can last several decades. This makes them the more durable treatment over fillings, which may only last 15 years. However, the actual results vary based on the type of material you choose. For example, a composite crown may only last for five years whereas a gold filling can last for two decades.

How Dentists Choose

Dentists will look at multiple factors before they recommend a crown over a filling, but it usually comes down to the severity of the damage. Small cavities will usually need a filling, while larger damage will need a more substantial crown. It’s important to look for a dentist with experience because the bigger the filling, the more likely it is to fail down the line.

Can I Get an Emergency Crown or Filling?

Yes. If you need a same-day crown or filling, either due to injury or infection, you can visit an emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN for immediate protection and coverage. While same-day crowns may not last as long as traditional crowns, today’s materials make them strong enough to hold up for up to 15 years — and potentially longer if they’re well-maintained.

At Indiana Emergency Dental, we know that tooth damage can cause serious disruptions to your life. We also know that your oral health needs don’t always conform to office hours. Whether you need an emergency recommendation or general advice, we’re here to help patients get the support they need.

How Can Dental Technology Improve the Patient Experience?

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When people talk about technology, they usually talk about it in terms of convenience. What they may not always consider is the precision of technology and the comforts that it can bring. Here, we’ll look at how dental technology works and why it’s worth factoring in technology before you choose a dentist in Indianapolis, IN.

Dental Technology in Indianapolis

Dental technology removes the bulk of the guesswork for dentists. While traditional X-rays undoubtedly opened countless doors to new and better treatments, they were still open to interpretation — and not all dentists were quick to admit if they guessed wrong.

Technology like 3D X-rays in Indianapolis, IN not only reveal more than traditional scans, they also showed the mouth in its entirety rather than in pieces and parts that the staff had to put together. So, if you needed your wisdom teeth removed, a dentist wouldn’t have to examine four separate quadrants but instead compare each tooth in one panoramic shot.

Better Results

From teeth whitening to crowns, dental technology paves the way to better results. Thanks to technology, you no longer have to spend more time and money to get the same treatments. For example, instead of scheduling multiple appointments for a crown, you can get a same-day crown and check the matter off your list.

Comfortable, Convenient Care

When different businesses move at their own pace, you can’t count on all dentists to have made the right investments. At Indiana Emergency Dental, we’ve made thoughtful purchases that pay off in spades for our patients. Plus, we implement the technology to streamline our emergency dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, giving you 24/7 access to qualified professionals for even the scariest moments.

What to Know About Osseointegration During Your Dental Implant

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Osseointegration is a scientific term, one that you might not understand if you’re deciding whether or not to get dental implants in Indianapolis, IN. Here, we’ll look at what exactly it is and why it matters for implants.

How Osseointegration Works

Osseointegration refers to the process of fusing the metal implant to the bone. The process takes a few steps:

  • When you get an implant, the dentist has to cut into the gumline to place a small post.
  • Once the dentist sets the post next to the bone, the body’s response is to start the healing process.
  • As the patient heals, the bone and the metal fuse together.

This is the very foundation of the implant, it’s what gives the abutment and artificial tooth the roots that it needs to stay strong against impact (whether it’s from a fall or a particularly hard praline).

Does Osseointegration Always Take?

No, for select patients, this process doesn’t always take. A good dentist in Indianapolis, IN can cut back on potential failure through better assessments and evaluations, but sometimes, there’s no way to predict when this process will fail. Thankfully, the odds of rejection may be as low as 5%, though again, a reputable dentist may be able to cut back on the risk even further.

If you have questions about dental implants, including how long it takes for the healing process to occur, whether or not you’re eligible for the procedure, and what you can expect from your artificial tooth once it’s fitted, contact the team at Indiana Emergency Dental today. Our staff is here to not only answer your general questions but to offer you additional insights into how the treatment will personally impact you!

Water Flossers vs. Floss: What to Know

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Flossing is one of the very best things that you can do for your oral health. Not only does it help your teeth, because it clears out the bacteria and plaque that can collect on the sides, but it also takes care of the sensitive gum tissue that brushing simply can’t address. Here, we’ll look at what you need to know about how to floss and whether water flossers can be a good substitute.

Are Water Flossers Better than Traditional Floss?

No, nothing, including water flossers, is better than traditional floss (including the flossing pics that you see everywhere in the drugstore). A dentist in Bloomington, IN can tell you that floss paired with the proper technique is the most effective way to remove plaque and bacteria from every part of the mouth.

The problem with traditional floss is that not everyone takes the time to complete the task every night. If you find it difficult to reach the back part of your teeth or if your teeth are crowded together, you might find yourself skipping certain sections or skipping days altogether.

Tips for Better Oral Hygiene

At Indiana Emergency Dental, our staff knows that making time for a better routine matters. Sometimes, this means buying different, thinner floss, depending on the configuration of your mouth. Other times, it means substituting with water flossers or pics. These measures will drastically improve your plaque removal (even if they’re not as good as floss).

It’s worth noting that floss, electric toothbrushes, mouthwash, and other home care items can go a very long way to preventing cavities. However, only a dentist can get any accumulated tartar build-up (which is unfortunately impossible to stop). Contact our team today to set up a teeth cleaning in Bloomington, IN, or to learn more about our services!

Tips to Care for Your Restorative Dental Work

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When you get restorative dental work done, it can be confusing to know how to care for it. After all, it’s not like an artificial tooth or dental bridge in Indianapolis, IN can get a cavity. Here, we’ll look at what you can do at home to care for your work, so it can last as long as possible.

1. Keep Up With a Strong Hygiene Routine

Flossing, brushing, mouthwash, and water flossers can all help you care for your gums and jawbone. So, even if you have two full arches of dental implants, you can keep the gum tissue free of debris, so it can’t make its way up to the bone.

2. Adjust Your Habits

Whether you’re a smoker or you love sticky foods, like caramels or toffees, you may want to go easy on your restorative dental work. While you likely won’t cut out everything, dental work like crowns and implants may last longer if you treat them with kids gloves. You may also want to wear a nightguard when you’re asleep to avoid grinding down the prosthesis.

3. Visit Your Dentist

A dentist in Indianapolis, IN can help you understand more about how your dental work is holding up over the years, giving you a heads up before you have to suffer a dental emergency. For example, if you got a crown 10 years ago and the materials are starting to wear away, it may not be a question of if you’re going to lose it but when (giving enough time to schedule the appointment well before the loss).

At Indiana Emergency Dental, our dentists can help you stay on top of your restorative work — so you don’t have to get any more down the road.

What To Know About Extractions

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Finding out that you need a tooth pulled can be upsetting, but extractions are more common than you m ight think. At Indiana Emergency Dental, we are here to make the process as simple, and painless, as possible.

What Are Extractions?

Dental extractions are the removal of a tooth or teeth from the socket. Pulling a tooth might seem intimidating, but it’s a relatively quick procedure that can be done in the office in most cases. Depending on your needs, you could have a simple or surgical extraction. Both are done with anesthesia, which means you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.

Why Are Extractions Performed?

There are many reasons why you might need a tooth removed, from injuries to infections. In some cases, teeth, such as wisdom teeth, need to be removed due to overcrowding or to prevent pain.

Before any extraction, our team will speak to you about your options and what you can expect.

How Do You Replace Missing Teeth After Extractions?

After extractions, you can get your teeth replaced. How you do it will depend on a number of factors, but standard replacement methods include:

Our team at Indiana Emergency Dental will discuss the options with you and find the solution that best suits your lifestyle, budget, and needs.

Contact [Practice_Name] To Schedule an Appointment for Extractions in Indianapolis, Indiana

At [practice name] in Indianapolis and Bloomington, IN, we understand that pain or damage to your teeth can be extremely troubling. If you’re dealing with dental pain or think you might need an extraction, don’t hesitate to call us. Call 1-463-276-0541 to book your visit at our Indianapolis or Bloomington location.

Zirconia and Emax Crowns: Are They the Best Option?

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Dental crowns help restore diseased or damaged teeth. However, as modern dentistry advances, more options for making crowns hit the market. Today, two all-ceramic crowns, Zirconia and Emax, are available from our dentists in Indianapolis, IN. They may not be the right choice for everyone, though.

What Are Zirconia and Emax Crowns?

What sets Zirconia and Emax crowns apart from other types is the material used to make them. Traditionally, crowns are made of porcelain fused to metal or composite resin. Zirconia and Emax crowns may offer more benefits, depending on the location of the tooth.

Zirconia Crowns

Zirconia crowns are made from a ceramic called zirconium dioxide. They are stronger than both porcelain and Emax, which makes them a practical choice for back teeth that do most of the chewing. Dental professionals often refer to the material as ceramic steel.

Since Zirconia can be more opaque than other options, it also looks less natural. Putting them in the back makes them less noticeable, as well.

Emax Crowns

Emax crowns come from lithium disilicate glass. That allows them to be more translucent and natural-looking than Zirconia crowns. In addition, they can be made to match the shade of your natural teeth closely.

They are not, however, as strong. That means they are more suitable for low-stress areas, such as the front teeth.

Both Zirconia and Emax crowns are biocompatible, meaning they are less likely to cause a reaction within the body.

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are often considered the gold standard because they closely resemble natural teeth. However, they can be prone to chipping and cracking.

To make them stronger, the porcelain is often fused to metal to create PFM crowns. The metal lining can sometimes be visible at the gum line, making the look less aesthetically pleasing.

Which crown is right for your needs? That is something only your dentist in Indianapolis, IN can tell you. Call today to schedule an appointment and learn more about your options for dental crowns.

Warning Signs Your Tooth Is Infected

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If you have a tooth that is nagging you, it might be more than just a cavity. Pain can be a warning sign of a serious bacterial infection that requires emergency dental care in Indianapolis, IN. Recognizing the warning signs of a tooth infection can help you avoid the potentially severe complications that can arise from it.

What Are the Complications of Tooth Infection?

Your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate the enamel over time and enter your bloodstream, traveling to major organs such as the heart and brain. Some of the complications of an untreated tooth infection include:

  • Sepsis
  • Brain abscesses
  • Deterioration of the jawbone
  • Infection of soft tissue
  • Infection of the heart

Just to name a few. These conditions all occur because a bacterial infection moves beyond the tooth cavity.

Warning Signs of a Tooth Infection

The key to getting the emergency dental treatment that you need is recognizing the symptoms of a tooth infection.

Pain

Pain is how your body warns you that something is wrong. You may feel it radiating from the tooth, in your jaw, ear, or neck.

Sensitivity

If a tooth becomes sensitive to hot or cold temperatures, it may indicate exposure of the nerves in the root of the tooth. When a cavity forms in the enamel, bacteria can work their way down into the dentin. That allows the liquid to enter the tooth and reach the raw nerves.

Foul Taste

A foul taste in your mouth can mean pus coming from a tooth. A sudden foul taste might indicate an abscess rupture.

As the bacterial infection grows, you may experience swelling in the face and a fever. These are signs you need emergency dental treatment.

If you suspect you have a tooth infection, call our office today to set up an appointment with our emergency dentist in Indianapolis, IN. The longer you wait, the more damage the bacteria can do.

The Cost of Ignoring a Dental Emergency

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Often, our first instinct is to ignore the signs of a dental problem, especially when the budget is tight. Nobody wants to see an unexpected bill for dental services in Indianapolis, IN. What many don’t know is that ignoring a dental emergency will cost you more in the end. Minor dental issues can escalate quickly into expensive dental problems.

The Cost of Ignoring a Cavity

Unfortunately, minor dental problems almost always get worse, especially cavities. An opening in the tooth enamel allows bacteria to enter and do damage.

That simple filling can turn into a root canal that requires a crown or an extraction. It can also escalate into a more serious infection that extends beyond the tooth into the jawbone or bloodstream. Many of the potential complications can mean hospital stays, chronic illness, or even lead to death.

The Downside of Dental Insurance

Dental insurance tends to focus more on preventive care rather than major procedures. You may pay nothing for an emergency office visit or simple dental procedure, but foot most of the bill for complex issues like tooth extractions or dental crowns. So, even if you have dental insurance, there is a good chance that your out-of-pocket expenses will be high if you don’t get treatment at the first sign of a problem.

The Cost of Tooth Pain

It’s essential to consider the costs of ignoring tooth pain beyond your dental office in Indianapolis, IN. How does it slow you down, making you less productive at home and work? How many sick days do you take because the pain is too much, or how much do you spend trying to control it?

When you take into account the damage to your teeth and gums, the risk of chronic illness, and systemic health problems, ignoring a dental emergency doesn’t make good financial sense. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Indianapolis, IN, and discover more ways to reduce your family’s dental expenses.

Horizontal Impactions – Recognizing Signs and Symptoms

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If you are suffering from pain in the back of your mouth or noticing swelling near your jaw, you might be dealing with a horizontal impaction of your wisdom teeth. While it can be serious, this problem is common. It’s something we treat regularly at Indiana Emergency Dental in Indianapolis, IN.

Here’s more about what you should know.

What Are Horizontal Impactions?

Horizontal impactions occur when a tooth, typically a wisdom tooth, is unable to erupt from the gums. It grows sideways instead of up and out, leading to a collision (impact) with other teeth. A horizontal impaction can cause significant pain and swelling, and it can lead to damage to your surrounding teeth.

What Are the Common Signs of Impacted Teeth?

Impacted teeth are typically easy to recognize on X-rays, but there are symptoms you may experience as well. Some could include:

  • Pain or tenderness in the gums or jaw
  • Swelling around the jaw or face
  • Headaches or earaches
  • Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
  • Difficulty opening your mouth

Over time, these symptoms may worsen, so it’s important not to ignore them.

What Should You Do If You Have an Impacted Tooth?

If you do end up having an impacted tooth and not another dental problem, then we’ll recommend the best treatment option at that time. Usually, surgical extractions are used to correct impacted wisdom teeth.

Contact Indiana Emergency Dental for Help With a Horizontal Impaction in Indianapolis, IN

At Indiana Emergency Dental, we want to ensure you are comfortable at all times. If you’re in pain or worried about an impacted tooth, we can help. Call us today at 1-463-276-0541 to schedule an appointment for horizontal impaction in Indianapolis or Bloomington, IN.