Dental Treatments in 2021: Who Provides Them and When You Might Need Them
Our overall health is essential, no matter what way you look at it. We go our entire lives looking after ourselves and ensure we are putting the right things into our bodies, alongside those that our bodies crave. Promoting a healthy lifestyle comes naturally to many people, but others feel they have to work harder for this type of thing.
At the same time, caring for our dental health is just as important as caring for other aspects of our physical health. While many people might feel confident with their smile, others out there might not feel that way.
For the most part, orthodontic treatments are completed during adolescence, but this is not always the case. Whether through financial reasons or fear of attending the dentist, some people might not seek dental treatment until they are well into adulthood.
While there is not anything entirely wrong with this, and there will be many dentists out there who understand the reasons behind this, there may come a moment when you need to seek treatment for a condition or issue that you are experiencing concerning your dental health.
Suppose you find yourself needing to access specific dental treatments in 2021. No matter the reason that has led you to this moment read on to discover what dental treatments are available and when you might need them.
Which Dentist Do You Need to See?
While most dentists in Australia are general dentists, there might come a moment where you have to seek out more specialist treatments. Knowing precisely who you need to see in these moments is critical and will make a difference in the long run while trying to access the proper treatment for your issue.
According to the Dental Board of Australia, specialist dental treatments include such things as the following:
- Endodontics
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology or Surgery
- Dento-Maxillofacial Radiology
Naturally, establishing which specialist you would need to see would depend on the problem you are experiencing. However, a trip to the general dentist will enable you to understand which specialist you need to see; general dentists can diagnose and treat teeth, gums, and mouth diseases and refer you to the right person for the task. This takes us to the following section.
General Dentists
General dentists are available for standard check-ups while also addressing any emergency issues that you might be experiencing. For the most part, you can complete any routine checks through the likes of your general dentist. This includes procedures like x-rays, clean and polish, tooth extractions and fillings. General dentists can also complete more major dental procedures, like of veneers, implants and dentures. With veneers increasing in popularity worldwide, there is no doubt that more general dentists might be finding themselves completing procedures like this more often.
Pure Dentistry and other reputable dentists in Brisbane provide a wide variety of routine and major dental procedures. Find out more information about the available procedures and how you can go about accessing them. Whether you will be paying for your treatments through private insurance or with governmental assistance, you can rest assured you will be able to access the appropriate and necessary care required.
Endodontist
Following a consultation with your general dentist, you might be referred to an endodontist for further treatment to solve the issue you are experiencing. Endodontists specialize in issues associated with the interior of your teeth. Naturally, you would not want to leave your dental issues until this point and should make an effort to get any problems treated as soon as possible. At the same time, it can be hard to notice or recognize any issues with the interior of your teeth until it has passed a certain point.
Endodontists will be able to delve deeper into the inner layers of your teeth to establish what might be causing you pain. Furthermore, if you are referred for a root canal treatment or to have emergency treatment to fix a cracked tooth, you can expect to see an endodontist for this. While you might initially see a general dentist to assess your situation, you would not receive any internal specialist treatments like this from them.
Orthodontist
While some adults might find it embarrassing to get braces at their age, thousands of people across the world are in the same position. It is common to receive braces in your teenage years. It is also common to explore braces in your adult years as well. For some people, it might be returning to some sort of teeth straightening treatment as a means of not wearing their aligners or braces correctly following treatment. For others, they might be exploring teeth straightening options for the first time.
Consulting an orthodontist for children to explore your teeth straightening options is the recommended route to follow. While you might need an initial consultation with your general dentist, an orthodontist will be overseeing your care plan. If you have crooked teeth or even poorly aligned jaws, this is the treatment option for you.
When contemplating the treatment options you will be referred for, you may very well be considering how you go about affording these types of treatments. This takes us to the following section, which might be the most important one for some people.
How Can You Pay For Your Dental Treatment?
There are many ways you can afford the dental treatment you are receiving, with many of those options differing based on your individual financial situation. Most dental procedures are paid for by the patients, either through private health insurance, bulk savings, or with assistance from Medicare, which cover some essential dental services for those who qualify.
At the same time, those reading this with children needn’t panic; within Australia, you can expect to receive funding through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which covers essential treatment for children between two and seventeen. This fund does not cover orthodontic or cosmetic dental work. You would need to find an alternative means of paying for this treatment should your child need or want it.
Finally, you would need to assess the costs of your treatments through the appropriate governing bodies. Prices of services differ between state and territory, and you may also face an extended wait when accessing these services. Particularly following the pandemic, when there has been an increased wait time for healthcare treatments in any capacity, it is recommended you explore the options available to you and consult your general dentist as soon as possible to get the ball rolling.
While no one enjoys paying for treatments, whether necessary or through choice, they will undoubtedly make a world of difference to how you are feeling overall. It might not feel like it, but your smile can affect your self-esteem. Positively contributing to the smile you have, and changing it to the way you want it, will make you feel more confident in yourself, no matter your age.
We hope you have found this piece interesting and insightful and better understand what you need to do moving forward when accessing appropriate dental healthcare. Whether you have one minor issue that needs addressing or one more major, we feel confident you will be sorted in no time!