As a dentist, I have the daily challenge of looking at teeth and determining what is wrong with them and what needs to be done to protect those that appear to have problems.

This task, at first might seem easy, but when all the variables are taken into consideration, it can be a challenging and difficult task.  Without a crystal ball to see into the future so we can actually see what will happen to a given tooth, dentists can only speculate, based on previous experiences with other teeth that come through our offices.

A never ending string of patients present to dental offices with broken teeth.  Some of the broken teeth are non-restorable, while others can be restored easily.  Still others can be restored, but they must have additional procedures such as root canal therapy and/or crown lengthening procedures.  These additional procedures, often add significantly to the cost of restoring a tooth.  As such, it is ideal to restore a tooth BEFORE it breaks in such a way that it requires additional, costly procedures to fix it up.

Dentists will often use rules, standards and guidelines when recommending certain procedures or services to their patients.  This is true, for instance, when your dentist recommends a crown.  There is no way of actually knowing whether a given tooth will break, fracture or be lost without a crown, but through using a set of guidelines and standards, your dentist recommends treatment that he believes is in a tooth's best interest.  Certain conditions found on teeth often result in detrimental pathologies that result in tooth loss.  It is clear, that those elderly patients with a full compliment of teeth, have often been those who followed their dentist's recommendations over the years.

While dentistry is not inexpensive, it is certainly a good value.  Few other things we purchase last as long as dental restorations and prosthetics--and we use our teeth constantly!  Average lifespan for a filling is 20 years, while an average lifespan for a crown is 30 years.  Dentures are often used for 15 or 20 years as well.  The up front cost of a crown, bridge, filling or denture is expended over the lifespan of the restoration or prosthesis.  Over the lifespan, the restoration cost pennies a day to have and use.  In addition, consider other service commodities, such as cosmetology, for instance.  It is not uncommon to pay $50 or more for a permanent or hair coloring.  This expenditure is for a service to the hair that will typically last about 3 to 4 months at best.  Compare that to a $100 filling that will usually last 15 years or more.  The value is obvious.

Few things express health, vitality, youthfulness and beauty than a full set of attractive, healthy, white teeth and fresh breath.  Your dentist can help you maintain and create that smile.