What You Should Know About Composite Resin Fillings
A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
Chances are, every time you have an appointment to visit your dentist in Houston, TX, you're crossing your fingers that they won't say you have a cavity. In fact, nearly everyone will have a cavity or two sometime. For those who've had a cavity recently, it was probably handled with a tooth-colored filling. The modern alternative to the traditional alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings are produced with a composite resin material that fills and seals a cavity after the rotten area has been eliminated. Unlike older fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend perfectly with your actual teeth to keep your smile looking great. Because tooth-colored fillings are one of the most common procedures conducted at MINT dentistry in Katy, we thought we should go over some of the most regular questions our patients have about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
An individual's price for a tooth-colored filling is determined by many things. Two main issues are the depth of the cavity and if sedation will be needed. Treating a cavity is a simple procedure, which means it can usually be done with only local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you are affected by dental fears or a strong gag reflex, dental sedation, like nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, is often suggested. For those who have dental insurance, the dental office can verify your coverage prior to charging you for the left-over amount. For people who don't have dental insurance, a lot of dentists in Houston, TX offer manageable payment plans or take low-interest medical financing. In general, it's cheaper to fix a cavity with a composite resin filling than to neglect the issue until it gets worse.
FUTURE ISSUES IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Opting to disregard your dentist's diagnosis of a cavity and recommendation to have a tooth-colored filling can end up causing more pain and costlier solutions in the future. If a cavity becomes too deep for a composite resin filling, it may be restored with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are bigger than fillings but smaller than crowns. Inlays and onlays are individually made to be cemented over the decayed area after it has been removed. In the event that the decay has spread to the inside of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be required. A root canal extracts the infected pulp inside the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then covered with specialized crown to prevent future damage. Avoiding medical treatment can encourage the infection to move on to your other teeth, gums, and jawbone and, ultimately, to get into your bloodstream and negatively influence other areas of your body. In summary, the more you delay treating a cavity, the more drawn out, more extensive, more costly, and more uncomfortable the eventual solution will be. Therefore, it is extremely important to get yearly oral health visits with your dentist in Houston, TX so they can find and treat cavities right away.
ROUTINES PATIENTS CAN USE TO AVOID CAVITIES
By now, you've most certainly determined that it would be smarter (and less expensive) to head off cavities altogether. While no one is completely immune from developing cavities, there are many things everyone can do to safeguard our teeth:
- HAVE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS BIANNUALLY
An effective home oral health routine is quite important in avoiding cavities; however, going in for dental cleanings twice yearly at a dentist's office in Houston, TX is also imperative. In your dental cleaning, a dental professional will thoroughly scale your teeth to clean away any sections of built-up plaque and tartar below the gumline. For those who brush and floss the recommended amount, there is usually very little plaque and tartar, though most patients will have some, generally along the gumline or in spots that are difficult to reach, such as the back teeth. Getting biannual professional cleanings by your dentist will ease the elimination of accumulated debris before it can develop into a cavity. You may also ask your dental practitioner to show you where they cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can concentrate on these areas more closely each time you brush at home. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste made with fluoride at least twice every day or after you eat is one of the best things people can do to keep from getting cavities. The best times to brush are right after you eat breakfast and again after eating supper. This regimen will aid in getting rid of the food detritus and bacteria before they can develop into a cavity. While it's generally not convenient to brush your teeth after having lunch, you could still rinse your mouth with mouthwash. - PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
If you are genetically susceptible to getting cavities or simply want to be more on top of avoiding them, you might ask your dentist about suggestions for preventive care. While they are more often recommended for younger patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments may be good choices for certain adults. Dental sealants are created with a transparent, flexible coating that is situated on the back teeth to help stop pit and fissure cavities from developing in the uneven top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments help in supporting the enamel and preventing cavities. Often, sealants and professional fluoride treatments are just included with dental insurance for younger patients; however, it's a wise investment for older patients who are looking to prevent cavities. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities sometimes develop between the teeth and along your gumline. Therefore, it's critical that you floss at least once every day. Flossing gets rid of any food detritus stuck between your teeth and helps to stimulate blood circulation in your gums. When you have your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or someone on his or her team to demonstrate the best flossing technique to make sure that you obtain the maximum effectiveness from your oral health care routine.
AN ADVANCED DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
In the event that you ever get a cavity, you need to get it treated right away with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Houston, TX. If you need a great dental practitioner who performs advanced treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Katy. Our incredible crew of dental professionals is able to work with younger and older patients for any existing issues, help them head off future problems, and keep their smiles clean and dazzling.