What You Should Know About Tooth-Colored Fillings
A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
Odds are, any time you are scheduled to visit your dental practitioner in Spring, TX, you're hoping that he or she won't discover a cavity. Actually, almost everyone has had a cavity or two sometime. For patients who've gotten a cavity recently, it was probably handled with a tooth-colored filling. The current new version of the old, silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are molded out of a composite resin compound that fills and closes off a cavity after the compromised area has been taken out. Unlike traditional fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend gorgeously with your natural teeth to keep them looking flawless. Considering that tooth-colored fillings are among the top procedures done at MINT dentistry in Spring, we thought we should go over a few of the more routine questions people ask about them.
WHAT WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED CAVITY FILLINGS?
An individual's cost for a composite resin filling is determined by many things. Two main issues are the diameter of the cavity and whether sedation is needed. Treating a cavity is a noninvasive procedure, which means it can usually be conducted with just local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you suffer from dental anxieties or a strong gag reflex, sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, is often a good idea. For people who have dental insurance, the dental office should vet your coverage prior to billing you for the residual amount. For patients who don't carry dental insurance, a lot of dental practices in Spring, TX offer flexible payment options or accept low-interest medical financing. For most patients, it's cheaper to fix a cavity with a composite resin filling than to neglect it until it gets worse.
FUTURE ISSUES IF YOU DON'T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Deciding to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and encouragement to get a tooth-colored filling can add up to more pain and more expensive measures in the long run. When a cavity grows too large for a filling, the tooth may be repaired with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are bigger than composite resin fillings but less substantial than crowns. They are specially crafted to cover the decayed part of the tooth as soon as it has been prepared. If the decay has extended to the pulp of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be necessary. Root canal therapy extracts the compromised pulp deep within the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then covered with specialized crown to seal it off. Not getting professional treatment can cause the infection to move on to the rest of your mouth and, in the end, to enter your bloodstream and negatively influence your overall health. In summary, the longer you put off fixing a cavity, the slower, more invasive, more costly, and more painful the treatment will be. Therefore, it is extremely important to have yearly oral health checkups with a dentist in Spring, TX so they can find and treat cavities before they get worse.
METHODS PATIENTS CAN USE TO PREVENT CAVITIES
At this point, you've most certainly realized that it is smarter (and cheaper) to prevent cavities to begin with. Despite the fact that no one is fully immune from getting cavities, there are multiple things everyone can do to maintain our teeth:
- FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities can develop between the teeth and against your gumline. That's why it's critical that you floss at least once every day. Flossing gets rid of the food particles stuck in your teeth and helps to stimulate circulation in your gum tissue. During your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or someone on his or her team to demonstrate the best flossing technique to ensure that you get the maximum benefits from your oral hygiene routine. - PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
If you are predisposed to getting cavities or merely want to be more on top of avoiding them, you might ask your dental practitioner about recommendations for preventive care. While they are typically suggested for younger patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments can also be effective choices for certain adults. Dental sealants are a transparent, malleable material that is applied to the molars to help stop pit and fissure cavities from developing in the rough top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments assist in strengthening the enamel and preventing cavities. Usually, molar sealants and fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for child patients; however, it's a smart investment for adults who want to prevent developing cavities. - SCHEDULE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
A sufficient home oral care system is quite important in avoiding cavities, but going in for professional cleanings at least twice yearly at a dentist's office in Spring, TX is also essential. At your professional cleaning, a dental hygienist will skillfully scale your teeth to clean away any areas of accumulated plaque and tartar beneath the gumline. For those who brush and floss the recommended amount, there will probably be very little accumulation, though the majority of patients will have a small amount, typically along the gumline or in areas that are tough to get to, for example, the molars. Having twice yearly cleanings at your dentist will assist in the removal of buildup before it turns into an area of decay. You may also request your dental practitioner to show you where he or she cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can focus on these spots more closely when you clean your teeth at home. - CLEAN YOUR TEETH AFTER EVERY MEAL
Brushing your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste at least two times per day or after every meal is one of the most valuable things you can do to ward off cavities. The most effective times to brush your teeth are after you eat breakfast and again after your evening meal. This habit will help with eliminating food debris and bacteria before they start to develop into a cavity. While it's often not feasible to brush after having lunch, you could still rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
A MODERN DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you eventually develop a cavity, it's important to get it treated right away with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Spring, TX. If you are searching for a reputable dentist who performs innovative treatments like composite resin fillings, schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry in Spring. Our remarkable group of dental professionals is able to work with everyone for any existing concerns, help them prevent future issues, and keep their teeth beautiful.