What You Should Know About Composite Resin Fillings

A SHORT LOOK AT TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Chances are, any time you need to visit your dentist in Dallas and Houston, TX, you're praying that they won't discover a cavity. Actually, nearly everyone will get a cavity or two at some point. For patients who've developed a cavity recently, it was likely filled with a tooth-colored filling. The current new version of the old, alloy fillings, tooth-colored fillings are made of a composite resin material that fills and seals a cavity after the corroded area has been removed. Unlike classic fillings, composite resin fillings match seamlessly with your natural teeth to keep your smile looking flawless. Because tooth-colored fillings are one of the most frequent procedures done at MINT dentistry, we thought we should answer some of the more common questions people ask about them.

HOW MUCH WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
Your cost for a composite resin filling is determined by many factors. Two main factors are the depth of the cavity and if any sedation will be required. Filling a cavity is a noninvasive procedure, which means it can generally be carried out with just local anesthesia in a lunch-hour appointment. However, if you deal with dental fears or a strong gag reflex, dental sedation, for example, nitrous oxide ("laughing" gas) or oral sedation medication, may be a good idea. For patients who have dental insurance, the practice should verify your coverage prior to billing you for the remaining amount. For those who don't carry insurance, a lot of practices in Dallas and Houston, TX offer manageable payment plans or take low-interest medical financing. Typically, it's cheaper to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to avoid the issue until it gets bigger.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS IF A PATIENT DOESN'T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Opting to ignore your dentist's discovery of a cavity and encouragement to have a tooth-colored filling can result in more pain and costlier solutions in the long run. When a cavity becomes too deep for a tooth-colored filling, it can be restored with either an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are more expansive than fillings but not as big as crowns. They are custom made to be cemented over the decayed area as soon as it has been removed. If the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth, it's likely that a root canal will need to be performed. A root canal extracts the infected pulp inside the tooth, and, typically, the tooth is then covered with an individually designed crown for protection. Avoiding dental treatment can allow the infection to travel to the rest of your mouth and, eventually, to enter your circulatory system and affect your whole body. In short, the longer you put off treating a cavity, the more protracted, more invasive, more costly, and more uncomfortable the treatment will be. This is why it is imperative to get yearly oral health checkups with your dentist in Dallas and Houston, TX so they can detect and fix cavities early.

THINGS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TO HOLD OFF CAVITIES
By now, you've probably figured out that it would be simpler (and less expensive) to head off cavities to begin with. Though no one is completely immune from developing cavities, there are multiple things everyone can do to maintain the health of our teeth:

• FLOSS EACH DAY
  Cavities often form between your teeth and along your gum line. Therefore, it's critical that you floss a minimum of once a day. Flossing extracts any food particles stuck in your teeth and helps to stimulate circulation in your gums. During your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or hygienist to show you the most effective flossing technique to make sure that you get the maximum effectiveness from your oral health care routine.
• PREVENTIVE OPTIONS
  If you are prone to having cavities or merely want to be more on top of avoiding them, you can ask your dental practitioner about suggestions for preventive care. Though they are typically recommended for younger patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments may be effective options for some adults. Dental sealants are made from a clear, malleable material that is put on the back teeth to help prevent pit and fissure cavities from occurring in the uneven top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments aid in hardening the enamel and warding off cavities. For the most part, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments are only paid for by dental insurance for child patients, but it can be a wise investment for adults who would like to prevent developing cavities.
• BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
  Cleaning your teeth with a fluoridated toothpaste a minimum of two times a day or after every meal is one of the most valuable things anyone can do to avoid cavities. The best times to brush are right after breakfast, as well as after eating your evening meal. This system will help with removing food debris and germs before they can develop into a cavity. Though it's often not practical to brush after lunch, you can still rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
• GET PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS BI-ANNUALLY
  An effective home oral health regimen is really important in preventing cavities, but having dental cleanings twice a year at a dental practice in Dallas and Houston, TX is also imperative. At your dental cleaning, the dental hygienist will gently scale your teeth to scrape off any spots of built-up plaque and tartar under the gum line. For those who brush and floss every day, there is generally very little buildup, but many patients will have a small amount, generally along the gum line or in places that are challenging to reach, such as the molars. Getting bi-annual cleanings from the dentist will help in the removal of accumulated debris before it can develop into a problem. You may also ask your hygienist to show you where he or she cleared away the most plaque and tartar so you can pay attention to these areas more closely each time you clean your teeth at home.

AN ADVANCED DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
In the event that you eventually develop a cavity, it's critical that you get it treated as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Dallas and Houston, TX. If you are looking for a great dental practitioner who performs state-of-the-art treatments such as tooth-colored fillings, schedule an appointment at MINT dentistry. Our incredible crew of dental professionals can work with everyone for any existing concerns, help them prevent future issues, and keep their teeth healthy.