Dental FAQ's

Why do I need Dental Xrays?

When Dr. Hooper and our Dental Hygienists perform a dental examination, they look carefully at tooth surfaces and the gums to detect signs of cavities or gum disease. Dental xrays offer the "rest of the story" – these small images provide information about non-visible areas between teeth and underneath the gums to help detect signs of tooth decay and gum disease.

How xrays work. Dental Xrays measure "density". Areas that are more dense, such as tooth roots, jaw bone structures, fillings and crowns appear whiter, or more "opaque" on an xray. Areas that are less dense, such as soft tissues, appear darker. When reviewing your dental xrays, Dr. Hooper is looking for signs of light or dark areas where they should not be. Cavities, for example, appear as shadows on the teeth or between the teeth. Dental xrays can also help Dr. Hooper look for bone loss related to periodontal (gum) disease, abscesses or cysts. A "panoramic" xray is used to monitor tooth eruption and development in children's dentistry and to evaluate impacted and unerupted permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth in adults.

Digital Dental Xrays. Our office uses digital radiography, which requires less radiation than traditional film, and allows us to share our findings with you on a computer screen. Dr. Hooper will recommend xrays periodically at preventive dental visits to keep a close watch on your oral health.

My parents and grandparents lost all of their teeth as they got older and had to wear dentures. Will this happen to me?

It doesn't have to! Today, as adults live longer with more active lifestyles, it is quite possible (and important) to keep your natural teeth for a lifetime.

As we age, tooth decay becomes less of a problem, and periodontal (gum) disease is the more likely culprit behind tooth loss. At each preventive dental visit, Dr. Hooper and your Dental Hygienist will perform a comprehensive dental examination to evaluate your teeth, gums and jaw bone levels. They will look for signs of periodontal disease and recommend necessary treatment to maintain your oral health.

If you have lost one or more permanent teeth (other than wisdom teeth), it is important to replace them with a dental bridge, implant or partial denture. Spaces between teeth can cause other teeth to shift and move, which can lead to broken teeth, super-erupted teeth and bone loss, resulting in damage and potential loss of even more teeth.

We want you to enjoy laughing, smiling and eating the foods you love – dentistry today can help you maintain your oral health throughout the grown-up years. Remember, prevention is the key!

Why doesn't my dental insurance pay for all of my treatment?

By design, dental insurance plans are structured to pay a portion of dental expenses only. They will usually pay at a higher percentage for preventive care, such as examinations, cleanings and diagnostic dental xrays. For restorative needs such as fillings or crowns, however, they will pay considerably less or may exclude coverage on some procedures altogether. Cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and cosmetic porcelain veneers are usually not covered.

The bottom line is, insurance companies determine their benefits based on plan profitability and statistical data. It is not realistic for them to pay 100% of all dental needs for all of their subscribers, and, at the same time, charge a premium that consumers are willing to pay. Historically, the dental insurance formula has been to provide more coverage for diagnostic and preventive services that are popular, health-smart, and needed by "all" subscribers. This approach helps keep premium costs down, and makes dental insurance an appealing rider policy with a major medical insurance plan.

A good test of the effectiveness of your dental insurance plan is to total up the premium dollars you pay on an annual basis. If you are paying more for dental insurance coverage than you would for routine preventive care each year, you may want to speak with your benefits administrator about restructuring your policy. Many of our patients have switched to health savings plans that allow them to set aside funds for all of their health care needs each year, rather than paying for dental insurance benefits that they "lose" at the start of a new policy year. Read more Facts About Insurance or Contact Us if you have questions about dental insurance.