What You Should Know About Tooth-Colored Fillings
A BRIEF LOOK AT COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
Chances are, every time you are planning to visit your dentist in Fort Worth, TX, you're praying that they won't discover a cavity. In fact, almost everyone will develop a cavity or two sometime. If you've had a cavity recently, it was likely treated with a tooth-colored filling. The current new version of the old, metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are produced with a composite resin compound that fills and closes off a cavity after the corroded part of the tooth has been taken out. Unlike alloy fillings, composite resin fillings blend perfectly with your actual teeth to keep them looking beautiful. Considering that tooth-colored fillings are among the top procedures required at MINT dentistry in Fort Worth Horne, we would like to answer a few of the more common questions people want to know about them.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS?
A person's cost for a composite resin filling is determined by many things. Two main factors are the measurement of the cavity and if sedation will be required. Treating a cavity is a simple procedure; therefore, it can usually be carried out with just local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you experience dental anxieties or a severe gag reflex, sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral sedation medication, may be a good idea. For patients who carry dental insurance, the dental office can confirm your coverage prior to charging you for the left-over amount. For individuals who don't have dental insurance, many dental practitioners in Fort Worth, TX offer affordable payment options or allow low-interest medical financing. Almost invariably, it's cheaper to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to neglect the issue until it gets bigger.
FUTURE ISSUES IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Choosing to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and recommendation to get a composite resin filling can end up causing more pain and more expensive solutions in the long run. In the event that a cavity grows too large for a filling, it may be repaired with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are larger than composite resin fillings but smaller than crowns. They are specially crafted to cover the decayed part of the tooth once it has been prepared. In cases where the decay has made its way to the pulp of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will have to be done. This procedure extracts the affected pulp deep within the tooth, and, in most cases, the tooth is then fitted with a tailor-made crown to seal it off. Not seeking medical treatment can encourage the infection to branch out to the rest of your mouth and, in the end, to get into your circulatory system and impact your body in general. In summary, the more you avoid treating a cavity, the more prolonged, more extensive, more costly, and more unpleasant the eventual solution will be. Therefore, it is crucial to schedule yearly oral health visits with a dentist in Fort Worth, TX so he or she can diagnose and fix cavities early.
STEPS PATIENTS CAN IMPLEMENT TO PREVENT CAVITIES
At this point, you've probably determined that it would be wiser (and less expensive) to head off cavities to begin with. While nobody is totally immune from ending up with cavities, there are lots of things we can do to protect the health of our teeth:
- CLEAN YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste made with fluoride at least two times a day or after you eat is one of the most valuable things anyone can do to avoid cavities. The most effective times to brush are in the morning after having breakfast and again after supper. This routine will aid in cleaning away food particles and bacteria before they begin to form a cavity. Though it's generally not convenient to brush after lunch, you can still rinse with mouthwash. - FLOSS EVERY DAY
Cavities sometimes occur between the teeth and against your gumline. That's why it's important that you floss a minimum of once every day. Flossing gets rid of the debris stuck between your teeth and promotes circulation in your gum tissue. When you have your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or someone on his or her team to show you the most effective flossing technique to make sure that you obtain the most effectiveness from your oral hygiene routine. - GET DENTAL CLEANINGS TWICE PER YEAR
A good home oral health regimen is extremely important in avoiding cavities, but having dental cleanings at least twice a year at a dentist's office in Fort Worth, TX is also key. During your professional cleaning, your dental hygienist will thoroughly scale your enamel to scrape off any spots of accumulated plaque and tartar under your gumline. If you brush and floss every day, there is usually very little buildup, though most patients will have a bit, generally along the gumline or in spots that are hard to reach, like the molars. Having twice yearly dental cleanings by the dentist will aid in the removal of buildup before it turns into an area of decay. You could also request your hygienist to show you where he or she removed the most plaque and tartar so you can pay attention to these areas more closely while you brush at home. - PROACTIVE OPTIONS
If you are prone to getting cavities or just want to be more proactive in preventing them, you ought to ask your dental practitioner about options for preventive treatments. While they are typically recommended for younger patients, professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants can also be smart choices for some adults. Dental sealants are created with a transparent, malleable material that is put on the back teeth to help control pit and fissure cavities from developing in the rough crown surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments aid in hardening the enamel and warding off cavities. Usually, dental sealants and fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for adolescent and teen patients; however, it's a wise investment for older patients who want to prevent having cavities.
AN ADVANCED DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you do get a cavity, it's critical that you have it treated promptly with a composite resin filling at a dentist's office in Fort Worth, TX. If you are looking for an experienced dental practitioner who performs up-to-date treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Fort Worth Horne. Our experienced team of dental professionals is happy to treat patients of all ages for any current concerns, help them head off later issues, and keep their smiles healthy.