Learn About Tooth-Colored Fillings
A BRIEF REVIEW OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
It's likely that, every time you are scheduled to go to your dentist in Frisco, TX, you're praying that they won't discover a cavity. The truth is, nearly everyone will get a cavity or two at some point. For patients who've gotten a cavity lately, it was likely handled with a tooth-colored filling. The modern new version of the traditional metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are formed from a composite resin compound that fills and seals a cavity after the corroded area has been removed. Unlike metal amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings match almost invisibly with your own teeth to keep them looking beautiful. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the top procedures required at MINT dentistry in Frisco, we want to answer some of the most common questions people ask about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I END UP PAYING FOR COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS?
A patient's cost for a composite resin filling is based on many things. Two main issues are the extent of the cavity and whether sedation is required. Filling a cavity is a routine procedure, so it can generally be completed with only local anesthesia in a lunch-hour appointment. Though, if you suffer from dental anxieties or a strong gag reflex, dental sedation, like nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, might be suggested. For individuals who have dental insurance, the practice should make sure of your coverage prior to charging you for the residual amount. For patients who don't have dental insurance, many dental practices in Frisco, TX offer flexible payment plans or take low-interest medical financing. For most patients, it's less expensive to fix a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to overlook the problem until it gets worse.
REPERCUSSIONS IF YOU DON'T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Choosing to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and recommendation to have a composite resin filling can end up causing more pain and more expensive solutions in the future. When a cavity becomes too severe for a composite resin filling, the tooth will likely be addressed with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are larger than fillings but not as big as crowns. They are individually made to fit over the decayed area once it has been prepared. In cases where the decay has reached the interior of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will have to be done. This procedure extracts the compromised pulp deep within the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then fitted with personalized crown to seal it off. Avoiding dental treatment can encourage the infection to move on to the rest of your mouth and, ultimately, to enter your bloodstream and negatively influence your body in general. In short, the more you put off fixing a cavity, the longer, more extensive, more costly, and more unpleasant the treatment will be. This is why it is imperative to get yearly oral health exams with a dentist in Frisco, TX so they can diagnose and fix cavities right away.
METHODS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TO AVOID CAVITIES
At this point, you've probably learned that it is simpler (and less expensive) to head off cavities altogether. Though no one is completely immune from ending up with cavities, there are multiple things we can do to safeguard our teeth:
- SCHEDULE DENTAL CLEANINGS TWICE PER YEAR
An appropriate home oral care regimen is extremely important in preventing cavities, but having professional cleanings at least twice a year at a dentist's office in Frisco, TX is also necessary. At your professional cleaning, a dental hygienist will thoroughly scale your teeth to remove any areas of accumulated plaque and tartar below your gumline. Among individuals who brush and floss the recommended amount, there will probably be very little accumulation, but the majority of individuals will have at least a little, generally at the gumline or in places that are tough to get to, such as the molars. Getting biannual dental cleanings by the dentist will help in the removal of buildup before it can develop into an area of decay. You can also request your dental practitioner to tell you where they cleared away the most buildup so you can concentrate on these spots more closely when you clean your teeth at home. - PROACTIVE TREATMENTS
For those who are predisposed to getting cavities or just would like to be more proactive in avoiding them, you might ask your dentist about options for preventive treatments. Though they are usually recommended for child and teen patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments may be effective options for certain adults. Dental sealants are created with a clear, malleable material that is put on the molars to help control pit and fissure cavities from developing in the irregular crown surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments help in supporting the enamel and preventing cavities. For the most part, sealants and professional fluoride treatments are only covered by dental insurance for child patients; however, it's a wise investment for adults who are looking to prevent getting cavities. - CLEAN YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste made with fluoride no less than twice per day or after every meal is one of the most valuable things people can do to defend against cavities. The best times to brush your teeth are in the morning after you eat breakfast, as well as after having your evening meal. This system will aid in eliminating food detritus and bacteria before they start to produce a cavity. While it's typically not practical to brush after having lunch, you could still rinse with mouthwash. - FLOSS EVERY DAY
Cavities can occur between your teeth and at your gumline. That's why it's important that you floss at least once per day. Flossing extracts the food detritus stuck in your teeth and aids in stimulating circulation in your gum tissue. At your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to show you the appropriate flossing technique to make sure that you get the maximum effectiveness from your oral hygiene routine.
AN ALTERNATIVE DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
In the event that you happen to get a cavity, it's critical that you get it treated as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Frisco, TX. If you are searching for an experienced dental practitioner who offers innovative treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Frisco. Our team of dental professionals is happy to work with everyone for any current issues, help them prevent later issues, and keep their smiles beautiful.