What You Should Know About Composite Resin Fillings
A SHORT LOOK AT COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
Odds are, every time you are planning to visit your dentist in Garland, TX, you're crossing your fingers that they won't find a cavity. However, nearly everyone will acquire a cavity or two at some point. For patients who've developed a cavity recently, it was likely treated with a tooth-colored filling. The current new version of the old, alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings are created with a composite resin compound that fills and seals a cavity after the corroded area has been taken out. Unlike older fillings, composite resin fillings match exceptionally well with your own teeth to keep your smile looking great. Considering that tooth-colored fillings are among the top procedures conducted at MINT dentistry in Garland, we would like to review a number of the more consistent questions people ask about them.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
An individual's cost for a composite resin filling is determined by many factors. Two main factors are the diameter of the cavity and whether sedation will be required. Filling a cavity is a routine procedure, which means it can usually be completed with only local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you suffer from dental fears or an intense gag reflex, dental sedation, like nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, is often a good idea. If you have dental insurance, the dentist should vet your coverage before charging you for the remaining amount. For those who don't have insurance, many dental practitioners in Garland, TX offer flexible payment plans or allow low-interest medical financing. For most patients, it's less expensive to fix a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to neglect it until it gets bigger.
FUTURE ISSUES IF YOU DON'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Choosing to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and encouragement to have a composite resin filling can lead to more problems and more expensive remedies in the future. When a cavity becomes too deep for a tooth-colored filling, the tooth may be remedied with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are bigger than fillings but not as big as crowns. Inlays and onlays are designed to fit over the decayed area after it has been cleaned. If the decay has spread to the inside of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will have to be done. A root canal extracts the compromised pulp deep within the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then covered with specialized crown to seal it off. Delaying professional treatment can encourage the infection to travel to the rest of your mouth and, gradually, to enter your circulatory system and negatively influence your body in general. In summary, the longer you put off fixing a cavity, the more drawn out, more extensive, more costly, and more uncomfortable the eventual solution will be. For this reason, it is extremely important to get yearly oral health visits with a dentist in Garland, TX so he or she can find and fix cavities before they get worse.
PRACTICES PATIENTS CAN USE TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
By now, you've most certainly determined that it is wiser (and less expensive) to prevent cavities altogether. Though no one is totally immune from getting cavities, there are a few important things we can do to safeguard the health of our teeth:
- BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
Brushing your teeth with a toothpaste made with fluoride no less than twice every day or after every meal is one of the most valuable things anyone can do to avoid cavities. The most effective times to brush are after having breakfast, as well as after having dinner. This system will help with removing food particles and bacteria before they can produce a cavity. While it's typically not easy to brush your teeth after having lunch, you could still rinse your mouth with mouthwash. - PROACTIVE TREATMENTS
If you are predisposed to getting cavities or simply would like to be more on top of avoiding them, you could ask your dentist about options for preventive care. Though they are typically recommended for younger patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments are often smart choices for many adults. Dental sealants are created with a transparent, flexible coating that is applied to the back teeth to help control pit and fissure cavities from developing in the irregular crown surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments aid in strengthening the enamel and preventing cavities. Typically, dental sealants and fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for child patients, but it's a smart investment for older patients who would like to avoid having cavities. - FLOSS AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY
Cavities often form between the teeth and against your gumline. That's why it's crucial that you floss a minimum of once a day. Flossing removes the food particles stuck in your teeth and aids in stimulating blood circulation in your gum tissue. At your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to demonstrate the proper flossing technique to make sure that you get the maximum effectiveness from your oral health care routine. - SCHEDULE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
A good home oral health regimen is quite important in preventing cavities; however, scheduling dental cleanings two times per year at a dental practice in Garland, TX is also essential. In your professional cleaning, the dental professional will meticulously scale your enamel to scrape off any sections of built-up plaque and tartar under your gumline. If you brush and floss every day, there is usually very little plaque and tartar, but many people will have varying amounts, usually at the gumline or in spots that are tough to get to, like the back teeth. Having twice yearly cleanings at the dentist will facilitate the elimination of buildup before it turns into an area of decay. You may also request your dental practitioner to tell you where he or she cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can pay attention to these areas more closely each time you brush at home.
A MODERN DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you eventually end up with a cavity, you should have it treated as soon as possible with a composite resin filling at a dental practice in Garland, TX. If you are searching for an experienced dentist who offers modern treatments like tooth-colored fillings, schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry in Garland. Our staff of dental professionals can treat younger and older patients for any current problems, help them prevent future concerns, and keep their smiles in great shape.