A BRIEF OUTLINE OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
Chances are, every time you have an appointment to go to your dentist in Clearwater, IN, you’re hoping that he or she won’t find a cavity. Not surprisingly, almost everyone will develop a cavity or two at some point. If you’ve been diagnosed with a cavity recently, it was probably taken care of with a tooth-colored filling. The modern alternative to the old, silver 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 metal amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend exceptionally well with your own teeth to keep your smile looking great. Because tooth-colored fillings are one of the most common procedures required at DentalWorks – Clearwater, we would like to answer some of the most routine questions our patients have about them.
WHAT WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
An individual’s cost for a tooth-colored filling is determined by many factors. Two main factors are the extent of the cavity and if sedation is needed. Filling a cavity is a quick procedure, so it can generally be carried out with only local anesthesia in a short appointment. However, if you suffer from dental fears or a strong gag reflex, sedation, for example, nitrous oxide (“laughing” gas) or oral-conscious medication, is sometimes recommended. For individuals who have dental insurance, the practice should vet your coverage before billing you for the remaining amount. For patients who don’t carry insurance, many dental offices in Clearwater, IN offer flexible payment plans or accept low-interest medical financing. In general, it’s cheaper to fix a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to overlook the problem until it gets bigger.
LONG-TERM EFFECTS IF YOU DON’T GET A RECOMMENDED FILLING
Choosing to ignore your dentist’s diagnosis of a cavity and recommendation to get a tooth-colored filling can end up causing more problems and costlier solutions in the future. If a cavity grows too big for a tooth-colored filling, it may be restored with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are larger than fillings but smaller than crowns. Inlays and onlays are designed to fit over the decayed area once it has been cleaned. If the decay has reached the interior of the tooth, a root canal will be necessary. Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp inside the tooth, and, often, the tooth is then covered with a custom crown for protection. Delaying seeking professional help can cause the infection to branch out to your other teeth, gums, and jawbone and, sooner or later, to get into your bloodstream and affect your body in general. In short, the longer you put off fixing a cavity, the more prolonged, more invasive, more expensive, and more painful the treatment will be. This is why it is necessary to get annual oral health check-ups with a dentist in Clearwater, IN so they can diagnose and treat cavities early.
PRACTICES YOU CAN USE TO PREVENT CAVITIES
At this point, you’ve probably learned that it would be better (and cheaper) to avoid cavities altogether. While no one is completely immune from getting cavities, there are multiple things we can do to protect our teeth:
A NEWER DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you eventually get a cavity, it’s crucial to get it treated right away with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Clearwater, IN. If you would like to find a great dentist who offers state-of-the-art treatments like tooth-colored fillings, schedule an appointment at DentalWorks – Clearwater. Our remarkable group of dental professionals can work with patients of all ages for any current issues and help you avoid future problems to keep your smile healthy.