ED Family Dental Blog

Dental insurance can be an effective way to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for everything from routine exams to more complex procedures. Most of these policies are designed to promote proper prevention and include up to 100% of standard services, then usually also contribute 50% to 80% of other required treatments.

However, your plan might also include other restrictions before benefits take effect, such as a waiting period that must pass for them to be applicable. If you’re worried about the delay or are curious why it’s included, continue reading to learn more!

November is TMJ Awareness month, and the perfect opportunity to learn more about the importance of your temporomandibular joint. Here’s a closer look at how if you’re experiencing any TMJ disorder discomfort, your dentist can help you get some much needed relief!

When you eat, do you have trouble chewing or hear a popping sound? These are just a couple of signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. This condition causes chronic jaw pain, and it can be quite uncomfortable to deal with. However, as you research online about it, you may come across some myths. Here’s the truth behind three misconceptions you might’ve heard.

If your jaw feels rather sore, you may think of visiting a family medical practice. Primary care doctors are the ones most consulted about aches and pains. Even so, you should actually go to your nearest dental provider; it’s best to see a dentist for TMJ treatment when possible. Your Astoria dental team can even share the reasons behind this truth. To that end, here’s a primer on TMJ disorder, why dentists are qualified to treat it, and how dentistry usually manages it.

Jaw pain can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and even interfere with everyday activities like chewing, speaking, yawning, and smiling. Often, this discomfort is linked to the TMJ, or temporomandibular joints—the hinge-like joints that connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. When these joints or the surrounding muscles aren’t functioning properly, it can lead to what’s known as temporomandibular disorder, or TMD. Here’s a closer look at some of the specific causes of TMD and how professional treatment can help you find relief!

Your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull and is primarily responsible for your ability to open and close your mouth. Unfortunately, however, the jaw can sometimes become misaligned with the temporomandibular joint, causing pain like headaches, shoulder pain, and even back pain, as well as difficulties chewing and speaking. This is known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Worse yet, some patients with TMD even report other side effects such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and vertigo. Here’s why if you have TMD, you may also have vertigo.

You were ready to start your dental implant journey, but during your initial consultation your dentist mentioned you might need a bone graft first. What does this mean, and why did your dentist recommend it?

Ultimately, bone grafts are all about reinforcing your jawbone with more support so your dental implant treatment will be successful. Now, understandably, that might sound like a lot! Keep reading, and it’ll start to make more sense.

Professional teeth whitening can brighten your smile and boost your confidence, but your job isn’t done once you leave the dentist’s office. For the first few days after whitening, your teeth are more porous and vulnerable to staining. By knowing which foods and drinks to avoid—and what to eat instead—you can help maintain your whiter smile for as long as possible.

Many people experience anxiety around dental appointments, especially if they require a more invasive treatment like a root canal. If you’re worried your procedure will be long and agonizing, you might avoid it altogether.

Unfortunately, dental problems don’t typically resolve themselves and tend to progressively worsen over time. That means your tooth isn’t going to get better by itself, and its condition could deteriorate and contribute to other health concerns. If your dentist recommended this service, continue reading to learn why you should undergo a root canal sooner rather than later!

Dental crowns are designed to be durable and long-lasting, but sometimes life throws a curveball our way, and your dental crown might unexpectedly come loose or even fall out! Whether it happens while eating, brushing your teeth, playing a sport, or seemingly out of nowhere, it can be a startling experience. That said, if you find yourself holding your crown instead of wearing it like you’re supposed to, here’s how your dentist can help!