What Is Patchwork Dentistry?
We often see patients who only seek dental treatment when the condition has already become serious or the pain intolerable. When times are hard, people place dental appointments low on their list of priorities; they may not fully understand the value of good oral health on their appearance and overall health.
This is also the reason why patients in Milwaukee and all over the US are settling for patchwork dentistry. Patchwork dentistry, as the name implies, involves finding the cheapest possible perceived solution to your dental needs. It is choosing temporary dental solutions over high-quality dental treatments that are guaranteed to better resolve your problem and promote good dental health. Patients will usually opt for this type of temporary solution due to financial problems, limitations with insurance coverage, a lack of understanding of their dental condition, or being unaware of the long-term consequences of a quick fix.
Whenever a patient comes in for a consultation it is customary for dentists to provide a comprehensive treatment plan to address all the dental issues identified. This may mean recommending a series of dental treatments that will address the main concern causing the visible symptoms or an effort to prevent more serious dental issues in the future.
Some patients believe this is an attempt to get more money out of them and instead opt to have a filling done here and there, temporarily patching the problem. With patchwork dentistry, patients often find they need to return with the same problem, yet still choose to have the temporary solution to their dental issues. What they do not realize is that over time they spend more money on recurring quick fixes, while at the same time risking a future more expensive dental procedure as the condition worsens. Patching a tooth is like putting a band aid on the problem. It may continue to worsen over time.
At Hampton Dental Associates, we say no to patchwork dentistry and recommend dental treatments that are guaranteed to work and are guaranteed to last because we have your best interests in mind.
During the consultation, every patient is provided with all the necessary information regarding his or her current dental condition. The discussion includes what issues need to be corrected, the recommended treatments, and what might happen if these treatments are postponed. Each patient is encouraged to ask questions and clarify points that may be unclear so that they will have an understanding of their current dental health. In cases where patients may have financial difficulty paying for all the treatments, we can map out a timeline of your treatment plan, prioritizing the more serious dental conditions first and correcting the others at another time to avoid patchwork dentistry and shortchanging our patients.
Read What Our Patients Are Saying!
” I didn’t feel a thing after the pinch of the needle. He filled three cavities in an hour and 45 minutes. It felt like 15 minutes. I couldn’t stop praising Dr Richard Winter. This was the best experience in dentistry as an adult. Dr. Winter has grown as a dentist. He takes his education serious by taking continued education and it shows. “
Click here to read more reviews.
Rehabilitating Patchwork Dentistry
Patchwork dentistry correction or “rehabilitation” is one of the services that we provide at Hampton Dental Associates. Here are some of the common treatments that we perform to correct patchwork dentistry:
Matching Dental Products
If you have opted for quick fixes for a long time and have consulted different dentists in the process, you may have dental materials in your teeth with mismatching shades and colors. We correct this by matching all the shades of your dental restorations for a more attractive smile.
Repairing Dental Crowns
Crown leakage is a common consequence of patchwork dentistry. If you notice an accumulation of black material on your crown, a consultation is recommended. Crown leakage happens when the cementation of your crown is compromised and bacteria enter the base of the crown. If left untreated, this may lead to the deterioration of the remaining tooth structure that holds the crown.
Composite Bonding Repair
It is common for other dentists to use composite bonding for patchwork dentistry as this material looks and feels like a natural tooth. However, this sometimes just masks the underlying problem and provides a temporary fix. Our team of dental experts are skilled at removing composite bonding without causing further damage to the tooth surface to get to the root of the problem.
Reattachment Of Restorations
Sometimes it is necessary to replace or reattach a dental restoration such as a crown or a bridge after the underlying dental condition has been addressed. This procedure requires preparing the tooth and the adjacent teeth to receive the restoration again without sacrificing more of your healthy tooth structure.
It’s important to be confident in your smile, as your smile is one of the first things people notice about you when they meet you. Having a smile that you are proud of can make a world’s difference. If you are interested in getting rid of your “patchwork” dentistry in Milwaukee, WI, Hampton Dental Associates is here to give you the smile of your dreams. Call 414-464-9021 for information on any of our services. Please visit our before and after gallery to see how we rejuvenate smiles.