What You Should Know About Composite Resin Fillings
A SHORT OVERVIEW OF COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
Chances are, every time you are scheduled to go to your dental practitioner in Sugarland, TX, you're praying that he or she won't discover a cavity. Not surprisingly, almost everyone will have a cavity or two at some point. If you've been treated for a cavity recently, it was probably treated with a tooth-colored filling. The current alternative to the old, alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings are molded out of a composite resin material that fills and seals a cavity after the unhealthy part of the tooth has been removed. Unlike metal amalgam fillings, composite resin fillings mix in almost invisibly with your natural teeth to keep your smile looking healthy and attractive. Because tooth-colored fillings are among the most frequent procedures required at MINT dentistry in Sugarland, we want to cover a number of the more consistent questions our patients want to know about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN CAVITY FILLINGS?
A patient's price for a composite resin filling is determined by many things. Two major factors are the measurement of the cavity and if any sedation is needed. Treating a cavity is a quick procedure, which means it can generally be carried out with only local anesthesia in a short appointment. Though, if you have dental anxieties or a strong gag reflex, dental sedation, like nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral sedation medication, may be a good idea. For individuals who have dental insurance, the dental office should verify your coverage before billing you for the left-over amount. For patients who don't have dental insurance, several dental practices in Sugarland, TX offer flexible payment options or accept low-interest medical financing. For most patients, it's cheaper to treat a cavity with a composite resin filling than to neglect it until it gets worse.
OUTCOMES IF YOU DON'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Choosing to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and encouragement to receive a composite resin filling can end up causing more concerns and more expensive fixes in the long run. When a cavity grows too deep for a filling, the tooth can be addressed with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are more expansive than composite resin fillings but smaller than crowns. Inlays and onlays are custom made to fit over the decayed part of the tooth as soon as it has been prepared. In cases where the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth, it's likely that a root canal will be required. A root canal removes the affected pulp deep within the tooth, and, usually, the tooth is then fitted with a tailor-made crown to seal it off. Putting off professional treatment can cause the infection to spread to the rest of your mouth and, eventually, to enter your bloodstream and affect your overall health. In summary, the longer you avoid treating a cavity, the more protracted, more invasive, more costly, and more painful the eventual solution will be. Therefore, it is imperative to get yearly oral health visits with a dentist in Sugarland, TX so he or she can diagnose and fix cavities right away.
ROUTINES PATIENTS CAN USE TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
At this point, you've probably determined that it is better (and less expensive) to avoid cavities from the get go. Though no one is fully immune from ending up with cavities, there are multiple things everyone can do to safeguard our teeth:
- PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
If you are prone to getting cavities or merely would like to be more on top of avoiding them, you could ask your dental practitioner about options for preventive treatments. While they are typically suggested for child and teen patients, professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants may be smart options for many adults. Dental sealants are made from a transparent, malleable coating that is put on the back teeth to help control different types of cavities from occurring in the uneven top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments assist in fortifying the enamel and preventing cavities. Often, dental sealants and fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for child patients; however, it can be a smart investment for adults who want to prevent having cavities. - CLEAN YOUR TEETH AFTER EVERY MEAL
Cleaning your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste no less than two times per day or after every meal is one of the most valuable things you can do to defend against cavities. The most effective times to brush are right after having breakfast and again after having your evening meal. This system will aid in removing food debris and bacteria before they begin to create a cavity. While it's typically not feasible to brush your teeth after eating lunch, you could still rinse your mouth with mouthwash. - SCHEDULE DENTAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
A consistent home oral health regimen is really important in preventing cavities, but going in for dental cleanings twice yearly at a dentist's office in Sugarland, TX is also imperative. At your dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will gently scale your enamel to clean away any areas of built-up plaque and tartar under your gumline. If you brush and floss every day, there is typically very little accumulation, though most patients will have a small amount, generally at the gumline or in places that aren't easy to reach, like the back teeth. Receiving twice yearly cleanings by your dentist will assist in the removal of accumulated debris before it can develop into a cavity. You could also request your hygienist to tell you where they cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can pay attention to these spots more closely while you brush at home. - FLOSS AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY
Cavities can develop between your teeth and at your gumline. Therefore, it's important that you floss a minimum of once every day. Flossing removes the food particles stuck in your teeth and promotes blood circulation in your gums. During your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to demonstrate the appropriate flossing technique so that you get the maximum benefits from your oral health care routine.
AN ALTERNATIVE DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you unfortunately develop a cavity, you should get it treated as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling at a dentist's office in Sugarland, TX. If you would like to find a great dentist who offers innovative treatments such as composite resin fillings, make an appointment at MINT dentistry in Sugarland. Our team of dental professionals can treat patients of all ages for any existing problems, help them avoid later issues, and keep their smiles in great shape.