Learn About Composite Resin Fillings
A SHORT RUNDOWN OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Odds are, every time you have to go to your dental practitioner in Houston, TX, you're crossing your fingers that he or she won't discover a cavity. In fact, almost everyone will have a cavity or two sometime. For patients who've been treated for a cavity recently, it was probably filled with a tooth-colored filling. The current alternative to the old, metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are formed from a composite resin substance that fills and seals a cavity after the rotten part of the tooth has been eliminated. Unlike metal amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend exceptionally well with your actual teeth to keep them looking clean and sexy. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the most frequent procedures done at MINT dentistry in Westheimer, we want to discuss a few of the more routine questions our patients ask about them.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS?
The price for a composite resin filling is based on many factors. Two main factors are the size of the cavity and if sedation is needed. Filling a cavity is a quick procedure, which means it can generally be conducted with only local anesthesia in a lunch-hour appointment. Though, if you experience dental anxieties or a strong gag reflex, sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, might be suggested. For people who carry dental insurance, the dentist should vet your coverage before charging you for the remaining amount. For patients who don't have insurance, several dental practitioners in Houston, TX offer flexible payment options or take low-interest medical financing. Almost invariably, it's less expensive to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to neglect the issue until it gets bigger.
REPERCUSSIONS IF YOU DON'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Opting to disregard your dentist's detection of a cavity and recommendation to get a composite resin filling can result in more pain and costlier solutions in the future. If a cavity grows too deep for a composite resin filling, the tooth can be repaired with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are bigger than fillings but less substantial than crowns. They are custom made to fit over the decayed part of the tooth after it has been cleaned. 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. Root canal therapy extracts the infected pulp deep within the tooth, and, often, the tooth is then covered with an individually designed crown for protection. Putting off professional treatment can encourage the infection to travel to the rest of your mouth and, gradually, to get into your bloodstream and impact your general health. Basically, the longer you delay treating a cavity, the longer, more invasive, more costly, and more unpleasant the eventual solution will be. This is why it is crucial to have annual oral health visits with a dentist in Houston, TX so he or she can detect and fix cavities early.
ROUTINES YOU CAN USE TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
By now, you've probably come to see that it would be easier (and less expensive) to prevent cavities from the get go. While no one is completely immune from getting cavities, there are several things everyone can do to maintain the health of our teeth:
- PROACTIVE TREATMENTS
If you are prone to getting cavities or just would like to be more on top of preventing them, you ought to ask your dental practitioner about options for preventive care. While they are more often recommended for adolescent patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments might sometimes be good choices for many adults. Dental sealants are a clear, malleable coating that is put on the back teeth to help stop different types of cavities from occurring in the rough top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments aid in strengthening the enamel and warding off cavities. Generally, sealants and fluoride treatments are just included with dental insurance for younger patients; however, it's a smart investment for adults who are looking to prevent ending up with cavities. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste a minimum of two times a day or after every meal is one of the most important things you can do to defend against cavities. The key times to brush your teeth are in the morning after having breakfast and again after having dinner. This regimen will aid in removing food debris and germs before they begin to produce a cavity. Though it's often not an option to brush after lunch, you could still rinse with mouthwash. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities sometimes develop between the teeth and against your gumline. That's why it's critical that you floss a minimum of once a day. Flossing removes any food detritus stuck in your teeth and promotes blood circulation in your gums. At your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to show you the proper flossing technique to ensure that you get the maximum benefits from your oral hygiene routine. - HAVE DENTAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
A good home oral care regimen is quite important in preventing cavities; however, going in for dental cleanings two times per year at a dentist's office in Houston, TX is also critical. During your dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will thoroughly scale your enamel to scrape off any areas of accumulated plaque and tartar beneath your gumline. For those who brush and floss every day, there will likely be very little accumulation, but many patients will have a small amount, generally at the gumline or in places that aren't easy to reach, such as the back teeth. Getting biannual dental cleanings by the dentist will assist in the removal of accumulated debris before it turns into a problem. You might also ask your dental professional to show you where they cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can focus on these spots more closely when you clean your teeth at home.
AN INNOVATIVE DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you ever develop a cavity, you need to get it treated promptly with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Houston, TX. If you are searching for a great dental practitioner who offers state-of-the-art treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, make an appointment at MINT dentistry in Westheimer. Our incredible crew of dental professionals is happy to treat patients of all ages for any current problems, help them head off later issues, and keep their smiles healthy.