Discover Composite Resin Fillings
A QUICK LOOK AT TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
It's likely that, any time you need to visit your dental practitioner in Houston, TX, you're hoping that they won't say you have a cavity. In fact, nearly everyone will develop a cavity or two at some point. For patients who've been treated for a cavity recently, it was presumably addressed with a tooth-colored filling. An innovative alternative to the old, metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are formed from a composite resin substance that fills and closes off a cavity after the rotten area has been eliminated. Unlike alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings match gorgeously with your natural teeth to keep them looking great. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the most frequent procedures required at MINT dentistry in Heights, we want to cover a few of the most common questions people have about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN CAVITY FILLINGS?
Your expense for a composite resin filling is based on many things. Two important issues are the size of the cavity and whether sedation will be necessary. Treating a cavity is a quick procedure, which means it can usually be performed with only local anesthesia in a lunch-hour appointment. Though, if you are affected by dental fears or an intense gag reflex, sedation, for example, nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, may be a good idea. If you carry dental insurance, the dental office should verify your coverage prior to charging you for the left-over amount. For people who don't carry dental insurance, a lot of dental practitioners in Houston, TX offer flexible payment plans or allow low-interest medical financing. In general, it's cheaper to fix a cavity with a composite resin filling than to overlook the issue until it gets bigger.
REPERCUSSIONS IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A NEEDED FILLING
Choosing to disregard your dentist's discovery of a cavity and encouragement to get a composite resin filling can lead to more concerns and more expensive remedies in the long run. When a cavity grows too large for a tooth-colored filling, it will likely be treated with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are bigger than tooth-colored fillings but not as big as crowns. They are created to be cemented over the decayed area after it has been removed. In cases where the decay has spread to the interior of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will need to be performed. A root canal extracts the compromised pulp inside the tooth, and, in most cases, the tooth is then covered with a tailor-made crown to prevent future damage. Delaying dental treatment can allow the infection to branch out to the rest of your mouth and, gradually, to enter your circulatory system and negatively influence your overall health. Basically, the longer you delay fixing a cavity, the more drawn out, more invasive, more expensive, and more uncomfortable the eventual solution will be. Therefore, it is critical to get annual oral health checkups with your dentist in Houston, TX so he or she can diagnose and fix cavities before they get worse.
THINGS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
At this point, you've likely realized that it is better (and less expensive) to avoid cavities altogether. While no one is fully immune from getting cavities, there are multiple things everyone can do to protect our teeth:
- PROACTIVE OPTIONS
If you are genetically susceptible to having cavities or simply would like to be more proactive in preventing them, you ought to ask your dentist about suggestions for preventive treatments. Though they are usually recommended for adolescent patients, professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants might sometimes be good choices for many adults. Dental sealants are made from a clear, pliable material that is put on the back teeth to help prevent different types of cavities from developing in the irregular crown surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments aid in strengthening the enamel and warding off cavities. Generally, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for adolescent and teen patients, but it's a wise investment for adults who would like to avoid getting cavities. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities also develop between your teeth and at your gumline. That's why it's important that you floss at least once per day. Flossing removes the debris stuck between your teeth and promotes blood circulation in your gum tissue. During your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to show you the proper flossing technique to ensure that you get the optimal effectiveness from your oral hygiene routine. - SCHEDULE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
A sufficient home oral health routine is really important in avoiding cavities; however, scheduling dental cleanings two times per year at a dental practice in Houston, TX is also imperative. During your professional cleaning, your dental hygienist will skillfully scale your teeth to scrape off any sections of built-up plaque and tartar below the gumline. If you brush and floss every day, there is generally very little accumulation, but the majority of people will have some, usually at the gumline or in places that are hard to reach, like the molars. Receiving twice yearly dental cleanings by your dentist will aid in the removal of plaque and tartar before it can develop into a cavity. You could also ask your dental practitioner to tell you where he or she cleared away the most buildup so you can pay attention to these areas more closely each time you clean your teeth at home. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Brushing your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day or after every meal is one of the most effective things people can do to prevent cavities. The key times to brush your teeth are in the morning after you eat breakfast and again after eating supper. This habit will help with removing food detritus and bacteria before they start to create a cavity. While it's often not an option to brush after eating lunch, you should still rinse with mouthwash.
AN ALTERNATIVE DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you do end up with a cavity, you should get it treated right away with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Houston, TX. If you would like to find an experienced dental practitioner who performs innovative treatments like tooth-colored fillings, schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry in Heights. Our team of dental professionals is able to treat everyone for any current concerns, help them head off later issues, and keep their smiles in great shape.