What You Should Know About Composite Resin Fillings

Tooth-Colored Fillings

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Odds are, every time you have an appointment to see your dentist in Terrell, TX, you're crossing your fingers that they won't discover a cavity. The truth is, nearly everyone will get a cavity or two sometime. For those who've developed a cavity recently, it was probably handled with a tooth-colored filling. The modern new version of the traditional alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings are created with a composite resin material that fills and closes off a cavity after the rotten part of the tooth has been eliminated. Unlike classic fillings, tooth-colored fillings match seamlessly with your actual teeth to keep your smile looking great. Because tooth-colored fillings are one of the top procedures conducted at MINT dentistry in Terrell - Coming Soon!, we thought we should cover a number of the more consistent questions people ask about them.

HOW MUCH WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN CAVITY FILLINGS?
A patient's price for a tooth-colored filling is determined by many things. Two important factors are the size of the cavity and whether any sedation is needed. Filling a cavity is a routine procedure, which means it can generally be done with only local anesthesia in a brief appointment. Though, if you are affected by dental anxieties or an intense gag reflex, dental sedation, such as nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, might be suggested. For people who carry dental insurance, the practice can vet your coverage before billing you for the remaining amount. For individuals who don't carry dental insurance, a lot of dental practitioners in Terrell, TX offer affordable payment plans or accept low-interest medical financing. In most cases, it's less expensive to fix a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to avoid it until it gets bigger.

CONSEQUENCES IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Opting to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and recommendation to have a composite resin filling can result in more pain and costlier remedies in the future. In the event that a cavity grows too severe for a tooth-colored filling, it may be restored with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are bigger than fillings but not as big as crowns. They are specially crafted to cover the decayed part of the tooth as soon as it has been prepared. In the event that the decay has gotten to the inside of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be necessary. This procedure extracts the affected pulp inside the tooth, and, usually, the tooth is then covered with personalized crown to prevent future damage. Delaying dental treatment can encourage the infection to travel to the rest of your mouth and, in the end, to enter your circulatory system and impact your body in general. Basically, the longer you delay fixing a cavity, the more prolonged, more invasive, more expensive, and more uncomfortable the eventual solution will be. This is why it is critical to get yearly oral health checkups with your dentist in Terrell, TX so they can find and fix cavities early.

STEPS YOU CAN USE TO AVOID CAVITIES
At this point, you've probably learned that it would be smarter (and less expensive) to avoid cavities from the get go. While no one is completely immune from ending up with cavities, there are multiple things everyone can do to maintain the health of our teeth:

  • BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER EVERY MEAL
    Brushing your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride a minimum of two times a day or after you eat is one of the most effective things people can do to defend against cavities. The key times to brush your teeth are after having breakfast, as well as after eating dinner. This system will aid in getting rid of the food particles and germs before they begin to develop into a cavity. While it's typically not easy to brush your teeth after lunch, you could still rinse with mouthwash.
  • GET DENTAL CLEANINGS BIANNUALLY
    A consistent home oral health system is extremely important in avoiding cavities, but having dental cleanings at least twice a year at a dentist's office in Terrell, TX is also necessary. In your dental cleaning, the dental professional will gently scale your teeth to scrape off any sections of built-up plaque and tartar beneath your gumline. If you brush and floss every day, there is usually very little plaque and tartar, though many people will have at least a little, typically along the gumline or in places that are hard to get to, such as the back teeth. Receiving biannual cleanings at the dentist will assist in the removal of accumulated debris before it turns into a cavity. You should also ask your hygienist to show 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 EACH DAY
    Cavities can develop between the teeth and along your gumline. That's why it's crucial that you floss a minimum of once every day. Flossing gets rid of the debris stuck between your teeth and aids in stimulating circulation in your gum tissue. When you have your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or hygienist to show you the most effective flossing technique so that you obtain the most effectiveness from your oral hygiene routine.
  • PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
    For those who are prone to getting cavities or simply would like to be more proactive in preventing them, you could ask your dental practitioner about options for preventive care. While they are usually suggested for child and teen patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments can also be good choices for some adults. Dental sealants are a transparent, flexible material that is deposited onto the back teeth to help prevent different types of cavities from occurring in the irregular top surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments help in fortifying the enamel and preventing cavities. Often, sealants and professional fluoride treatments are just paid for by dental insurance for younger patients; however, it's a smart investment for older patients who want to prevent ending up with cavities.

A MODERN DENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION FOR CAVITIES
If you do end up with a cavity, you should get it treated as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling at a dentist's office in Terrell, TX. If you are searching for a reputable dental practitioner who provides advanced treatments like tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Terrell - Coming Soon!. Our team of dental professionals is able to work with everyone for any existing problems, help them prevent future concerns, and keep their smiles clean and dazzling.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.