Discover Tooth-Colored Fillings
A QUICK OUTLINE OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Odds are, every time you are planning to see your dental practitioner in Denton, TX, you're crossing your fingers that he or she won't find a cavity. Not surprisingly, nearly everyone will have a cavity or two at some point. If you've had a cavity recently, it was presumably taken care of with a tooth-colored filling. The modern alternative to the traditional silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are formed from a composite resin compound that fills and closes off a cavity after the compromised area has been taken out. Unlike traditional fillings, composite resin fillings mix in seamlessly with your own teeth to keep them looking clean and sexy. Considering that tooth-colored fillings are among the most common procedures requested at MINT dentistry in Denton, we thought we should review some of the most frequent questions our patients have about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN CAVITY FILLINGS?
The cost for a tooth-colored filling is influenced by many factors. Two main issues are the extent of the cavity and whether sedation is required. Treating a cavity is a noninvasive procedure; therefore, it can usually be conducted with only local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you have dental anxieties or a severe gag reflex, dental sedation, for example, nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, might be recommended. For those who carry dental insurance, the dentist should vet your coverage before billing you for the residual amount. For people who don't carry dental insurance, a lot of dentists in Denton, TX offer manageable payment plans or take low-interest medical financing. Almost invariably, it's less expensive to fix a cavity with a composite resin filling than to neglect it until it gets worse.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS IF YOU DON'T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Opting to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and encouragement to have a composite resin filling can add up to more pain and costlier solutions in the future. If a cavity grows too big for a composite resin filling, it may be restored with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are more expansive than tooth-colored fillings but not as big as crowns. Inlays and onlays are specially crafted to be cemented over the decayed area after it has been prepared. If the decay has made its way to the pulp of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be required. This procedure removes the compromised pulp inside the tooth, and, in most cases, the tooth is then fitted with an individually designed crown to prevent future damage. Not getting dental treatment can cause the infection to travel to the rest of your mouth and, ultimately, to get into your circulatory system and affect your body in general. In summary, the more you avoid fixing a cavity, the more protracted, more difficult, more costly, and more painful the eventual solution will be. Therefore, it is imperative to have yearly oral health checkups with your dentist in Denton, TX so they can diagnose and fix cavities early.
ROUTINES PATIENTS CAN IMPLEMENT TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
By now, you've probably come to see that it is better (and less expensive) to prevent cavities from the get go. Despite the fact that nobody is totally immune from ending up with cavities, there are several things everyone can do to protect our teeth:
- GET PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWICE PER YEAR
A sufficient home oral care routine is really important in avoiding cavities; however, getting dental cleanings twice yearly at a dental practice in Denton, TX is also necessary. At your professional cleaning, your dental hygienist will skillfully scale your enamel to scrape off any spots of built-up plaque and tartar under the gumline. For those who brush and floss the recommended amount, there is usually very little plaque and tartar, but the majority of people will have at least a little, typically along the gumline or in spots that are challenging to reach, for example, the back teeth. Receiving biannual cleanings at your dentist will aid in the elimination of plaque and tartar before it can develop into a cavity. You may also request your dental practitioner to show you where they removed the most plaque and tartar so you can focus on these areas more closely while you clean your teeth at home. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities can develop between your teeth and at your gumline. Therefore, it's crucial that you floss a minimum of once every day. Flossing removes the debris stuck in your teeth and aids in stimulating circulation in your gum tissue. When you have your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to show you the appropriate flossing technique so that you obtain the most benefits from your oral hygiene routine. - PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
If you are prone to getting cavities or simply want to be more on top of preventing them, you ought to ask your dentist about suggestions for preventive care. Though they are typically suggested for younger patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments may be smart options for many adults. Dental sealants are made from a transparent, flexible coating that is put on the back teeth to help control different types of cavities from occurring in the uneven top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments assist in fortifying the enamel and preventing cavities. For the most part, molar sealants and professional fluoride treatments are only covered by dental insurance for younger patients; however, it's a smart investment for adults who would like to prevent having cavities. - CLEAN YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
Brushing your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride at least twice per day or after you eat is one of the most valuable things anyone can do to prevent cavities. The key times to brush are after you eat breakfast and again after eating supper. This regimen will aid in getting rid of the food detritus and germs before they begin to create a cavity. While it's generally not practical to brush after lunch, you could still rinse with mouthwash.
AN ALTERNATIVE DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you do end up with a cavity, it's critical that you get it treated right away with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Denton, TX. If you are in the market for a great dental practitioner who performs advanced treatments such as composite resin fillings, schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry in Denton. Our remarkable group of dental professionals can treat younger and older patients for any current concerns, help them avoid future concerns, and keep their smiles in top form.