Discover Composite Resin Fillings
A BRIEF RUNDOWN OF COMPOSITE RESIN FILLINGS
It's likely that, every time you are planning to visit your dental practitioner in Lake Worth, TX, you're crossing your fingers that he or she won't say you have a cavity. The truth is, almost everyone will get a cavity or two sometime. For patients who've had a cavity recently, it was presumably addressed with a tooth-colored filling. An innovative alternative to the traditional silver fillings, tooth-colored fillings are created with a composite resin substance that fills and closes off a cavity after the corroded area has been eliminated. Unlike older fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend perfectly with your actual teeth to keep them looking great. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the top procedures required at MINT dentistry in Lake Worth, we thought we should go over a few of the most common questions people have about them.
HOW MUCH WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR COMPOSITE RESIN CAVITY FILLINGS?
An individual's cost for a tooth-colored filling is influenced by many things. Two major issues are the size of the cavity and if sedation will be necessary. Treating a cavity is a simple procedure; therefore, it can generally be performed with only local anesthesia in a short appointment. However, if you suffer from dental anxieties or a severe gag reflex, dental sedation, like nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral sedation medication, could be a good idea. For individuals who have dental insurance, the dental office can verify your coverage prior to billing you for the remaining amount. For people who don't carry insurance, a lot of dental practices in Lake Worth, TX offer affordable payment options or allow low-interest medical financing. Almost invariably, it's cheaper to fix a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to overlook it until it gets worse.
OUTCOMES IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A NEEDED FILLING
Choosing to disregard your dentist's diagnosis of a cavity and encouragement to get a tooth-colored filling can lead to more concerns and more expensive treatments in the future. In the event that a cavity grows too extensive for a filling, the tooth will likely be remedied with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are larger than fillings but not as big as crowns. They are created to fit over the decayed area once it has been removed. If the decay has extended to the inside of the tooth, it's possible that a root canal will be required. Root canal therapy extracts the infected pulp deep within the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then fitted with specialized crown to prevent future damage. Avoiding medical treatment can allow the infection to travel to your other teeth, gums, and jawbone and, gradually, to get into your circulatory system and negatively influence your general health. In summary, the longer you avoid fixing a cavity, the slower, more invasive, more costly, and more painful the eventual solution will be. This is why it is extremely important to schedule yearly oral health visits with a dentist in Lake Worth, TX so he or she can find and fix cavities right away.
PRACTICES YOU CAN USE TO PREVENT CAVITIES
By now, you've probably figured out that it would be smarter (and cheaper) to head off cavities from the get go. While no one is fully immune from getting cavities, there are multiple things we can do to maintain our teeth:
- SCHEDULE DENTAL CLEANINGS TWICE PER YEAR
An appropriate home oral care regimen is particularly important in preventing cavities; however, getting professional cleanings twice yearly at a dentist's office in Lake Worth, TX is also essential. In your dental cleaning, a dental hygienist will skillfully scale your teeth to remove any areas of built-up plaque and tartar under the gum line. For those who brush and floss every day, there will probably be very little buildup, though the majority of individuals will have a bit, generally along the gum line or in areas that are difficult to reach, for example, the molars. Having bi-annual dental cleanings at your dentist will ease the elimination of accumulated debris before it turns into a cavity. You could also request your dental professional to show you where they found the most buildup so you can pay attention to these spots more closely while you clean your teeth at home. - PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
If you are prone to having cavities or simply want to be more on top of preventing them, you could ask your dentist about recommendations for preventive care. While they are typically recommended for younger patients, professional fluoride treatments and dental sealants may be good options for some adults. Dental sealants are made from a transparent, malleable material that is applied to the back teeth to help prevent different types of cavities from occurring in the irregular crown surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments aid in strengthening the enamel and preventing cavities. For the most part, molar sealants and professional fluoride treatments are just paid for by dental insurance for adolescent and teen patients, but it can be a wise investment for older patients who want to prevent ending up with cavities. - FLOSS EVERY DAY
Cavities often occur between your teeth and along your gum line. Therefore, it's critical that you floss at least once per day. Flossing gets rid of the food detritus stuck in your teeth and helps to stimulate blood circulation in your gum tissue. When you have your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to show you the recommended flossing technique to ensure that you get the optimal benefits from your daily routine. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste made with fluoride a minimum of twice per day or after every meal is one of the best things people can do to ward off cavities. The key times to brush are in the morning after breakfast, as well as after having supper. This habit will help with eliminating food debris and bacteria before they can create a cavity. Though it's often not easy to brush your teeth after having lunch, you should still rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
A NEWER DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
In the event that you unfortunately end up with a cavity, it's critical that you get it treated right away with a composite resin filling at a dentist's office in Lake Worth, TX. If you need an experienced dentist who offers modern treatments such as composite resin fillings, set up an appointment at MINT dentistry in Lake Worth. Our remarkable group of dental professionals is happy to work with patients of all ages for any current problems, help them prevent later problems, and keep their smiles healthy.