What You Should Know About Tooth-Colored Fillings
A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
Odds are, any time you need to go to your dental practitioner in Cypress, TX, you're hoping that he or she won't find a cavity. Not surprisingly, nearly everyone has had a cavity or two sometime. For those who've had a cavity lately, it was presumably addressed with a tooth-colored filling. An innovative new version of the old, metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite resin material that fills and closes off a cavity after the rotten part of the tooth has been eliminated. Unlike classic fillings, composite resin fillings blend exceptionally well with your natural teeth to keep your smile looking clean and sexy. Because tooth-colored fillings are among the most common procedures required at MINT dentistry in Cypress, we thought we should review a number of the more frequent questions our patients want to know about them.
WHAT WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN CAVITY FILLINGS?
Your cost for a composite resin filling is determined by many factors. Two major factors are the extent of the cavity and whether sedation will be necessary. Filling a cavity is a noninvasive procedure, so it can usually be done with just local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you are affected by dental anxieties or a strong gag reflex, dental sedation, for example, nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, might be a good idea. For individuals who carry dental insurance, the practice can make sure of your coverage prior to charging you for the left-over amount. For those who don't have insurance, many dental offices in Cypress, TX offer affordable payment options or accept low-interest medical financing. Typically, it's cheaper to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to neglect the problem until it gets worse.
FUTURE ISSUES IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Opting to ignore your dentist's detection of a cavity and encouragement to have a composite resin filling can lead to more pain and costlier treatments in the future. If a cavity grows too large for a filling, the tooth can be repaired with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are bigger than fillings but smaller than crowns. Inlays and onlays are designed to cover the decayed area as soon as it has been cleaned. If the decay has extended to the interior of the tooth, it's likely that a root canal will be necessary. This procedure extracts the compromised pulp inside the tooth, and, generally, the tooth is then fitted with an individually designed crown for protection. Avoiding medical treatment can allow the infection to move on to your other teeth, gums, and jawbone and, eventually, to get into your circulatory system and negatively influence your overall health. In summary, the longer you put off treating a cavity, the more protracted, more difficult, more costly, and more unpleasant the treatment will be. Therefore, it is critical to have annual oral health exams with a dentist in Cypress, TX so they can find and treat cavities before they get worse.
STEPS PATIENTS CAN IMPLEMENT TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
By now, you've most certainly learned that it is simpler (and less expensive) to avoid cavities altogether. Despite the fact that nobody is totally immune from developing cavities, there are many things everyone can do to maintain our teeth:
- PROACTIVE TREATMENTS
If you are genetically susceptible to getting cavities or simply would like to be more on top of preventing them, you might ask your dental practitioner about recommendations for preventive treatments. 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 made from a transparent, pliable material that is applied to the molars to help control different types of cavities from forming in the uneven crown surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments assist in supporting the enamel and warding off cavities. Generally, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments are only paid for by dental insurance for younger patients, but it can be a wise investment for older patients who want to prevent cavities. - HAVE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWICE PER YEAR
A good home oral health system is extremely important in preventing cavities; however, receiving professional cleanings twice yearly at a dentist's office in Cypress, TX is also critical. At your dental cleaning, a dental hygienist will carefully scale your enamel to remove any areas of built-up plaque and tartar under the gumline. Among individuals who brush and floss the recommended amount, there is generally very little plaque and tartar, but the majority of people will have varying amounts, generally along the gumline or in places that are tough to reach, such as the molars. Receiving twice yearly cleanings by the dentist will assist in the removal of buildup before it turns into a cavity. You may also request your hygienist to tell you where he or she found the most buildup so you can focus on these areas more closely each time you brush at home. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride a minimum of twice per day or after every meal is one of the best things you can do to prevent cavities. The most effective times to brush are right after having breakfast, as well as after having your evening meal. This system will help with scrubbing off food detritus and bacteria before they begin to lead to a cavity. While it's generally not practical to brush after eating lunch, you should still rinse with mouthwash. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities often develop between the teeth and against your gumline. Therefore, it's important that you floss a minimum of once per day. Flossing gets rid of any food detritus stuck in your teeth and promotes circulation in your gums. During your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or someone on his or her team to demonstrate the proper flossing technique to ensure that you obtain the optimal effectiveness from your oral hygiene routine.
AN INNOVATIVE DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you do develop a cavity, you need to get it treated as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling at a dentist's office in Cypress, TX. If you need an experienced dental practitioner who provides up-to-date treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Cypress. Our remarkable group of dental professionals is happy to work with younger and older patients for any current problems, help them prevent future problems, and keep their teeth in top form.