What You Should Know About Tooth-Colored Fillings
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Odds are, any time you need to go to your dental practitioner in Dallas, TX, you're hoping that they won't discover a cavity. The truth is, almost everyone will develop a cavity or two sometime. For those who've developed a cavity recently, it was likely treated with a tooth-colored filling. The modern alternative to the old, silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are produced with a composite resin material that fills and seals a cavity after the decayed part of the tooth has been removed. Unlike older fillings, tooth-colored fillings match exceptionally well with your own teeth to keep them looking flawless. Because tooth-colored fillings are one of the top procedures conducted at MINT dentistry in Love Field, we want to discuss a number of the most routine questions our patients have about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS?
Your expense for a composite resin filling is determined by many things. Two important factors are the measurement of the cavity and whether any sedation will be necessary. Filling a cavity is a simple procedure; therefore, it can usually be performed with only local anesthesia in a short appointment. However, if you deal with dental anxieties or a severe gag reflex, dental sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral sedation medication, is sometimes a good idea. For individuals who have dental insurance, the dental office should check your coverage before billing you for the left-over amount. For patients who don't carry insurance, a lot of dental offices in Dallas, TX offer manageable payment plans or allow low-interest medical financing. Almost invariably, it's less expensive to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to neglect the problem until it gets bigger.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS IF YOU DON'T GET A NEEDED FILLING
Opting to disregard your dentist's detection of a cavity and recommendation to receive a composite resin filling can cause more problems and costlier solutions in the long run. If a cavity grows too extensive for a composite resin filling, it may be repaired with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are larger than fillings but smaller than crowns. They are created to be cemented over the decayed area after it has been removed. In cases where the decay has reached the inside of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be needed. Root canal therapy extracts the affected pulp deep within the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then fitted with personalized crown for protection. Not seeking medical treatment can cause the infection to extend to your other teeth, gums, and jawbone and, sooner or later, to enter your circulatory system and impact your whole body. In short, the longer you delay fixing a cavity, the more prolonged, more extensive, more costly, and more painful the treatment will be. This is why it is extremely important to schedule annual oral health exams with your dentist in Dallas, TX so he or she can find and fix cavities before they get worse.
ROUTINES PATIENTS CAN USE TO AVOID CAVITIES
At this point, you've most certainly determined that it would be smarter (and less expensive) to prevent cavities altogether. While no one is fully immune from ending up with cavities, there are many things everyone can do to protect the health of our teeth:
- PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
For those who are predisposed to having cavities or just would like to be more diligent about preventing them, you ought to ask your dental practitioner about suggestions for preventive care. Though they are typically recommended for younger patients, professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants can also be effective choices for some adults. Dental sealants are made from a clear, malleable material that is deposited onto the back teeth to help control pit and fissure cavities from occurring in the irregular top surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments aid in supporting the enamel and warding off cavities. Usually, sealants and fluoride treatments are just paid for by dental insurance for child patients, but it can be a wise investment for adults who would like to prevent having cavities. - SCHEDULE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
An appropriate home oral care routine is quite important in avoiding cavities, but getting professional cleanings twice yearly at a dentist's office in Dallas, TX is also essential. In your dental cleaning, a dental professional will meticulously scale your enamel to scrape off any spots of built-up plaque and tartar below your gumline. For those who brush and floss every day, there will probably be very little buildup, though the majority of individuals will have a small amount, typically at the gumline or in spots that are hard to reach, like the back teeth. Having biannual professional cleanings by the dentist will facilitate the elimination of accumulated debris before it can develop into a problem. You might also ask your dental practitioner to show you where they found the most plaque and tartar so you can focus on these areas more closely while you clean your teeth at home. - CLEAN YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride at least twice per day or after every meal is one of the most effective things people can do to avoid cavities. The best times to brush your teeth are after you eat breakfast, as well as after eating supper. This practice will aid in scrubbing off food particles and germs before they start to develop into a cavity. While it's typically not feasible to brush your teeth after lunch, you can still rinse your mouth with mouthwash. - FLOSS AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY
Cavities sometimes form between your teeth and at your gumline. That's why it's important that you floss at least once per day. Flossing gets rid of any food particles stuck in your teeth and helps to stimulate circulation in your gums. When you have your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to demonstrate the most effective flossing technique to make sure that you obtain the most benefits from your daily routine.
A NEWER DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
In the event that you do develop a cavity, it's important to have it treated right away with a composite resin filling at a dentist's office in Dallas, TX. If you are searching for an experienced dentist who performs innovative treatments such as composite resin fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Love Field. Our incredible crew of dental professionals is able to work with younger and older patients for any current concerns, help them avoid future issues, and keep their teeth healthy and attractive.