What You Should Know About Composite Resin Fillings
A BRIEF LOOK AT COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
It's likely that, every time you have an appointment to go to your dental practitioner in Shenandoah, TX, you're crossing your fingers that they won't discover a cavity. The truth is, nearly everyone has had a cavity or two at some point. If you've gotten a cavity recently, it was presumably addressed with a tooth-colored filling. The current new version of the traditional silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are molded out of a composite resin compound that fills and seals a cavity after the unhealthy area has been removed. Unlike metal amalgam fillings, composite resin fillings mix in almost invisibly with your actual teeth to keep your smile looking healthy and attractive. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the most common procedures conducted at MINT dentistry in Woodlands, we would like to go over a few of the more routine questions people want to know about them.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS?
An individual's price for a composite resin filling is influenced by many factors. Two important factors are the depth of the cavity and if any sedation is needed. Filling a cavity is a simple procedure, which means it can generally be carried out with only local anesthesia in a short appointment. However, if you suffer from dental fears or an intense gag reflex, sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, could be recommended. For patients who have dental insurance, the dental office can make sure of your coverage prior to billing you for the residual amount. For patients who don't have insurance, a lot of dental offices in Shenandoah, TX offer flexible payment options or take low-interest medical financing. In most cases, it's less expensive to remedy a cavity with a composite resin filling than to ignore the problem until it gets worse.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS IF YOU DON'T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Deciding to disregard your dentist's discovery of a cavity and recommendation to get a tooth-colored filling can lead to more pain and costlier measures in the long run. In the event that a cavity grows too deep for a filling, it may be remedied with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are bigger than composite resin fillings but less substantial than crowns. They are designed to cover the decayed area after it has been prepared. In the event that the decay has spread to the interior 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 fitted with a tailor-made crown for protection. Not getting professional treatment can cause the infection to move on to the rest of your mouth and, eventually, to get into your circulatory system and affect your general health. In short, the longer you put off treating a cavity, the slower, more invasive, more expensive, and more uncomfortable the treatment will be. Therefore, it is extremely important to schedule yearly oral health checkups with a dentist in Shenandoah, TX so he or she can find and fix cavities right away.
PRACTICES PATIENTS CAN IMPLEMENT TO PREVENT CAVITIES
By now, you've most certainly determined that it would be wiser (and cheaper) to head off cavities to begin with. Though no one is totally immune from getting cavities, there are many things everyone can do to safeguard our teeth:
- GET DENTAL CLEANINGS BIANNUALLY
A consistent home oral health system is really important in avoiding cavities; however, going in for professional cleanings at least twice yearly at a dentist's office in Shenandoah, TX is also essential. At your dental cleaning, a dental professional will carefully scale your enamel to scrape off any spots of accumulated plaque and tartar under the gumline. If you brush and floss the recommended amount, there is usually very little plaque and tartar, though many people will have a small amount, usually at the gumline or in places that aren't easy to reach, like the back teeth. Receiving twice yearly dental cleanings from your dentist will assist in the removal of plaque and tartar before it can develop into a cavity. You may also request your dental professional to tell you where they removed the most plaque and tartar so you can focus on these areas more closely while you brush at home. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Brushing your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride no less than two times a day or after you eat is one of the most helpful things anyone can do to ward off cavities. The best times to brush your teeth are right after having breakfast, as well as after having supper. This routine will aid in cleaning away food debris and germs before they start to develop into a cavity. Though it's typically not easy to brush after lunch, you can still rinse your mouth with mouthwash. - PROACTIVE TREATMENTS
For those who are predisposed to getting cavities or just would like to be more proactive in avoiding them, you can ask your dental practitioner about recommendations for preventive care. While they are typically recommended for adolescent patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments are often good options for some adults. Dental sealants are created with a clear, pliable coating that is put on the molars to help stop different types of cavities from forming in the irregular top surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments assist in supporting the enamel and preventing cavities. Generally, sealants and professional fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for younger patients; however, it can be an intelligent investment for adults who would like to prevent developing cavities. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities may form between your teeth and along your gumline. Therefore, it's critical that you floss a minimum of once every day. Flossing extracts any food particles stuck between your teeth and aids in stimulating circulation in your gum tissue. During your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or someone on his or her team to show you the best flossing technique to make sure that you get the maximum benefits from your oral health care routine.
A NEWER DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you eventually develop a cavity, you need to get it treated right away with a composite resin filling at a dental practice in Shenandoah, TX. If you are searching for a reputable dentist who performs advanced treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, make an appointment at MINT dentistry in Woodlands. Our team of dental professionals is happy to work with younger and older patients for any current problems, help them avoid later issues, and keep their teeth clean and dazzling.