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Frequently Asked Questions Click on a question or scroll down…
If you have a question for Dr. Malick, click here. What is a Cavity and what will happen if I don't have it filled? A cavity is the result of an active infection (called Caries) by harmful oral bacteria. If a cavity is not detected and treated, the bacteria destroy their way through the various tooth layers and eventually enter the dental pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels and nerve endings. Through the pulp, the bacteria invade and spread into the bone around the teeth and the gums and facial soft tissues. At this point, there is usually pain, but not always. Some swelling may also be apparent. When the cavity has gone this far, the problem is now more of a medical problem, i.e. an infection of the face and jaws, rather than just a dental problem. When a cavity is promptly detected and treated, you never actually experience the misery that would follow. So, you are left wondering why you needed that filling to begin with? Why doesn't my insurance cover all of my "needed" treatment? Because insurance companies are in business for a profit! If insurance companies paid for all necessary treatment needed by most of my patients, they would not make a profit – plain and simple. As a dentist and a professional, I am also in business for profit. However, unlike the insurance company, I have a moral, ethical, and a legal obligation to maintain your oral and dental health. I am also accountable for my diagnosis and treatment to my professional peers and review boards. The insurance company has no accountability and no interest in your oral and dental health. They are a wedge between your Doctor and you and their sole purpose is to turn a profit. They take your, and other people's, money and give it back to you. As you have seen in the mass media, even the highest elected official for insurance companies can place their own interests ahead of their insured customers. Why do I need X-rays so often? Most oral and dental tissues are "Hard" tissues. Bone, and teeth cannot be properly examined without X-rays. A visual exam is of very limited value. If you want to avoid having a small problem become a major problem, then X-rays will let me catch those elusive little time-bombs early enough to make your treatment simple, comfortable, and inexpensive. Why do I have so much gold and silver in my mouth? Well, everyone wants white teeth today. White fillings, white crowns, bleached natural teeth. But all the scientific data shows that to this day, the best dental material is GOLD. This does not mean you cannot have white fillings or crowns. It only means that if you want the very best restoration (fillings or crowns), then: WHITE IS NOT ALWAYS RIGHT Next time you are having a filling or crown, be sure to ask what material options you have before you say WHITE. I never have any problems with my teeth. This is a common statement I hear from many people, but I have yet to find these people without problems. It is my experience that these people are most resistant to decay and cavities, but most susceptible to Gum Disease. Decay and cavities are fairly fast in destruction and invariably lead to pain and sensitivity early on. So, people with decay problems are more acutely aware of their dental needs and see us frequently, instead of brushing, flossing, and giving up candy and chocolate! Since gum disease is slowly progressing and non-painful in its early stages, most if not all of those people with gum disease are not aware of its destructive progress. In fact, gum disease progresses by developing heavy tartar on the teeth, which insulate the teeth and actually make them feel pseudo-comfortable. But, eventually, when the first gum abscess hits, the patient realizes the problem and guess what…there is NO CURE for gum disease, and most of these people have such advanced gum problems that all we can do is to take teeth out or do gum surgery to slow down the damage with accompanying side effects of sensitivity and discomfort. This furthers their original disbelief in "Dentists" since now they are more uncomfortable than before they visited the dentist. If you have a question for Dr. Malick, click here. |
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