Learn About Composite Resin Fillings
A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Odds are, any time you are scheduled to see your dentist in Dallas, TX, you're hoping that he or she won't discover a cavity. In fact, nearly everyone will have a cavity or two at some point. If you've gotten a cavity recently, it was likely treated with a tooth-colored filling. An innovative new version of the traditional silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are molded out of a composite resin material that fills and closes off a cavity after the rotten part of the tooth has been eliminated. Unlike older fillings, tooth-colored fillings mix in gorgeously with your own teeth to keep your smile looking healthy and attractive. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the top procedures requested at MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts, we thought we should go over some of the more regular questions our patients have about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
A person's cost for a composite resin filling is based on many factors. Two major issues are the extent of the cavity and whether any sedation will be necessary. Filling a cavity is a minor procedure, so it can usually be conducted with only local anesthesia in a short appointment. However, if you deal with dental fears or a severe gag reflex, dental sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral sedation medication, could be recommended. For people who carry dental insurance, the dental office can confirm your coverage before billing you for the remaining amount. If you don't have dental insurance, a lot of dental practitioners in Dallas, TX offer affordable payment options or take low-interest medical financing. For most patients, it's cheaper to fix a cavity with a composite resin filling than to ignore it until it gets bigger.
OUTCOMES IF YOU DON'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Choosing to disregard your dentist's diagnosis of a cavity and recommendation to receive a composite resin filling can lead to more pain and more expensive treatments in the future. If a cavity grows too big for a tooth-colored filling, the tooth may be treated with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are more expansive than composite resin fillings but smaller than crowns. They are designed to be cemented over the decayed area after it has been prepared. If the decay has extended to the inside of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be required. A root canal extracts the compromised pulp inside the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then fitted with a custom crown to seal it off. Not getting dental treatment can encourage the infection to move on to the rest of your mouth and, ultimately, to enter your circulatory system and negatively influence your whole body. In summary, the more you delay fixing a cavity, the more drawn out, more extensive, more costly, and more painful the treatment will be. For this reason, it is necessary to have yearly oral health checkups with your dentist in Dallas, TX so he or she can diagnose and treat cavities before they get worse.
STEPS PATIENTS CAN IMPLEMENT TO AVOID CAVITIES
By now, you've likely come to see that it is simpler (and cheaper) to head off cavities to begin with. Though nobody is totally immune from developing cavities, there are a few important things we can do to protect our teeth:
- CLEAN YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride no less than twice per day or after every meal is one of the best things people can do to prevent cavities. The key times to brush your teeth are in the morning after you eat breakfast, as well as after your evening meal. This routine will aid in cleaning away food detritus and bacteria before they begin to lead to a cavity. While it's often not practical to brush after lunch, you can still rinse with mouthwash. - PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
For those who are prone to getting cavities or merely would like to be more on top of preventing them, you might ask your dentist about suggestions for preventive treatments. While they are typically recommended for younger patients, professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants are often good options for many adults. Dental sealants are created with a transparent, pliable material that is applied to the back teeth to help control different types of cavities from developing in the rough top surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments aid in hardening the enamel and warding off cavities. Typically, sealants and professional fluoride treatments are only covered by dental insurance for adolescent and teen patients, but it's a wise investment for adults who want to prevent developing cavities. - FLOSS EVERY DAY
Cavities sometimes occur between your teeth and along your gumline. Therefore, it's crucial that you floss at least once per day. Flossing gets rid of any debris stuck in your teeth and aids in stimulating blood circulation in your gum tissue. During your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or hygienist to demonstrate the appropriate flossing technique to ensure that you obtain the most effectiveness from your oral health care routine. - GET PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS BIANNUALLY
An appropriate home oral health regimen is particularly important in avoiding cavities; however, scheduling professional cleanings at least two times per year at a dental practice in Dallas, TX is also key. In your dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will thoroughly scale your teeth to remove any sections of built-up plaque and tartar beneath your gumline. Among individuals who brush and floss every day, there is generally very little plaque and tartar, but many individuals will have at least a little, generally along the gumline or in places that aren't easy to get to, for example, the molars. Having twice yearly dental cleanings by the dentist will ease the elimination of plaque and tartar before it can develop into a problem. You should also ask your hygienist to tell you where he or she cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can pay attention to these spots more closely when you brush at home.
A MODERN DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you ever get a cavity, you need to have it treated promptly with a composite resin filling at a dental practice in Dallas, TX. If you are searching for a reputable dental practitioner who offers state-of-the-art treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Bishop Arts. Our team of dental professionals is able to work with patients of all ages for any current problems, help them prevent later concerns, and keep their teeth beautiful.