Discover Tooth-Colored Fillings
A BRIEF REVIEW OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
It's likely that, every time you are scheduled to visit your dentist in Dallas, TX, you're crossing your fingers that he or she won't find a cavity. Actually, nearly everyone will acquire a cavity or two sometime. For patients who've gotten a cavity lately, it was presumably treated with a tooth-colored filling. The current new version of the old, alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings are created with a composite resin substance that fills and closes off a cavity after the rotten part of the tooth has been eliminated. Unlike classic fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend seamlessly with your natural teeth to keep them looking beautiful. Considering that tooth-colored fillings are among the most frequent procedures required at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel, we thought we should answer a few of the most common questions our patients ask about them.
WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
A person's price for a tooth-colored filling is influenced by many things. Two major factors are the diameter of the cavity and whether sedation will be required. Treating a cavity is a minor procedure; therefore, it can generally be done with just local anesthesia in a lunch-hour appointment. However, if you suffer from dental fears or a severe gag reflex, dental sedation, like nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral-conscious medication, is often a good idea. If you have dental insurance, the practice can confirm your coverage prior to charging you for the remaining amount. If you don't have insurance, a lot of dental practices in Dallas, TX offer manageable payment options or allow low-interest medical financing. Typically, it's less expensive to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to neglect the problem until it gets worse.
FUTURE ISSUES IF YOU DON'T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Opting to ignore your dentist's diagnosis of a cavity and encouragement to receive a tooth-colored filling can cause more problems and more expensive measures in the long run. If a cavity becomes too large for a tooth-colored filling, the tooth can be remedied with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are more expansive than tooth-colored fillings but smaller than crowns. They are specially crafted to fit over the decayed area after it has been removed. In the event that the decay has gotten to the inside of the tooth, it's likely that a root canal will need to be performed. A root canal removes the infected pulp inside the tooth, and, usually, the tooth is then fitted with an individually designed crown to prevent future damage. Not seeking medical treatment can cause the infection to spread to the rest of your mouth and, in the end, to enter your bloodstream and affect your whole body. In summary, the more you avoid treating a cavity, the more drawn out, more extensive, more costly, and more unpleasant the eventual solution will be. This is why it is necessary to schedule annual oral health checkups with your dentist in Dallas, TX so he or she can detect and treat cavities right away.
METHODS PATIENTS CAN IMPLEMENT TO AVOID CAVITIES
By now, you've most certainly figured out that it is better (and cheaper) to avoid cavities to begin with. Though nobody is completely immune from developing cavities, there are lots of things everyone can do to protect our teeth:
- GET DENTAL CLEANINGS TWO TIMES A YEAR
An effective home oral health regimen is quite important in preventing cavities, but receiving professional cleanings twice a year at a dental practice in Dallas, TX is also necessary. In your dental cleaning, your dental hygienist will gently scale your teeth to remove any sections of built-up plaque and tartar under your gumline. If you brush and floss the recommended amount, there will likely be very little accumulation, though many people will have some, typically at the gumline or in places that are tough to get to, like the molars. Getting twice yearly cleanings by the dentist will help in the elimination of buildup before it turns into a cavity. You could also request your hygienist to tell you where they cleared away the most buildup so you can concentrate on these spots more closely each time you brush at home. - PROACTIVE OPTIONS
For those who are predisposed to having cavities or simply want to be more on top of avoiding them, you should ask your dentist about suggestions for preventive treatments. Though they are usually suggested for adolescent patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments may be good choices for certain adults. Dental sealants are made from a transparent, pliable coating that is applied to the molars to help prevent different types of cavities from occurring in the irregular crown surfaces of the back teeth. Professional fluoride treatments aid in supporting the enamel and warding off cavities. For the most part, dental sealants and fluoride treatments are just covered by dental insurance for adolescent and teen patients, but it can be an intelligent investment for older patients who want to prevent cavities. - FLOSS EACH DAY
Cavities also develop between the teeth and along your gumline. Therefore, it's crucial that you floss at least once every day. Flossing removes any food detritus stuck between your teeth and helps to stimulate circulation in your gums. When you have your next professional cleaning, ask your dentist or someone on his or her team to demonstrate the best flossing technique to ensure that you get the most effectiveness from your oral hygiene routine. - BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER EVERY MEAL
Cleaning your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride a minimum of two times per day or after every meal is one of the most important things people can do to keep from getting cavities. The most effective times to brush your teeth are in the morning after having breakfast and again after supper. This regimen will aid in eliminating food detritus and germs before they start to form a cavity. While it's often not an option to brush your teeth after lunch, you could still rinse with mouthwash.
A NEWER DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you do develop a cavity, you should have it treated promptly with a tooth-colored filling at a dentist's office in Dallas, TX. If you are looking for a reputable dentist who provides innovative treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, make an appointment at MINT dentistry in Highland Hotel. Our experienced team of dental professionals can treat everyone for any current issues, help them avoid future issues, and keep their teeth healthy and attractive.