Learn About Tooth-Colored Fillings

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS
It’s likely that, every time you need to visit your dentist in Chicago, IL, you’re praying that he or she won’t discover a cavity. However, almost everyone has had a cavity or two at some point. For those who’ve gotten a cavity recently, it was likely treated with a tooth-colored filling. The current alternative to the old, metal fillings, tooth-colored fillings are created with a composite resin material that fills and seals a cavity after the decayed area has been drilled out. Unlike metal amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings blend seamlessly with your natural teeth to keep your smile looking beautiful. Since tooth-colored fillings are one of the top procedures performed at DentalWorks – Chicago Loop, we want to review a few of the most common questions our patients have about them.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO PAY FOR TOOTH-COLORED FILLINGS?
The expense for a tooth-colored filling is based on many factors. Two major factors are the size of the cavity and if sedation is required. Filling a cavity is a noninvasive procedure; therefore, it can generally be performed with only local anesthesia in a brief appointment. However, if you have dental fears or an intense gag reflex, sedation, such as nitrous oxide (“laughing” gas) or oral-conscious medication, may be recommended. If you have dental insurance, the dentist should confirm your coverage before billing you for the left-over amount. For individuals who don’t carry insurance, several dentists in Chicago, IL offer manageable payment plans or accept low-interest medical financing. In most cases, it’s cheaper to treat a cavity with a tooth-colored filling than to ignore the issue until it gets bigger.

CONSEQUENCES IF YOU DON’T GET A PRESCRIBED FILLING
Opting to ignore your dentist’s detection of a cavity and recommendation to be fitted with a tooth-colored filling can lead to more concerns and costlier treatments in the future. When a cavity grows too large for a tooth-colored filling, it can be repaired with either an inlay or onlay. These treatments are bigger than tooth-colored fillings but not as big as crowns. Inlays and onlays are custom made to cover the decayed area after it has been drilled out. In cases where the decay has spread to the inside of the tooth, a root canal will be needed. A root canal removes the affected pulp inside the tooth, and, usually, the tooth is then covered with a specially made crown to prevent future damage. Putting off seeking professional help can allow the infection to spread to your other teeth, gums, and jawbone and, eventually, to get into your bloodstream and impact your whole body. In summary, the longer you delay fixing a cavity, the longer, more extensive, more expensive, and more uncomfortable the treatment will be. Therefore, it is extremely important to have annual oral health exams with a dentist in Chicago, IL so they can find and treat cavities before they get worse.

THINGS YOU CAN USE TO AVOID CAVITIES
At this point, you’ve likely figured out that it would be easier (and cheaper) to prevent cavities to begin with. Though no one is totally immune from developing cavities, there are many things we can do to safeguard our teeth:

• HAVE PROFESSIONAL CLEANINGS TWICE PER YEAR
  A good home oral care regimen is extremely important in preventing cavities, but having professional cleanings at least two times per year at a dentist’s office in Chicago, IL is also necessary. In your professional cleaning, your dental hygienist will carefully scale your enamel to clean away any spots of built-up plaque and tartar below your gum line. For those who brush and floss every day, there will probably be very little accumulation, but the majority of patients will have at least a little, generally along the gum line or in spots that are difficult to reach, for example, the back molars. Having bi-annual cleanings by the dentist will help in the removal of plaque and tartar before it turns into a problem. You should also ask your dental professional to tell you where they removed the most plaque and tartar so you can concentrate on these areas more closely while you brush at home.
• FLOSS EACH DAY
  Cavities can develop between your teeth and at your gum line. That’s why it’s critical that you floss at least once every day. Flossing gets rid of the debris stuck in your teeth and aids in stimulating your gums. During your next dental cleaning, ask your dentist or oral health care professional to demonstrate the proper flossing technique to ensure that you get the most benefits from your oral hygiene routine.
• BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWO TIMES EVERY DAY
  Brushing your teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride no less than twice every day or after you eat is one of the best things people can do to prevent cavities. The most effective times to brush are in the morning after you eat breakfast and again after eating supper. This practice will help with removing food debris and bacteria before they begin to form a cavity. At times when it’s not practical to brush after eating lunch, you should still rinse with mouthwash.
• PREVENTIVE TREATMENTS
  If you are predisposed to getting cavities or simply would like to be more diligent about avoiding them, you can ask your dentist about recommendations for preventive treatments. While they are usually recommended for child and teen patients, dental sealants and professional fluoride treatments can also be effective choices for certain adults. Dental sealants are made from a clear, pliable material that is applied to the back teeth to help prevent different types of cavities from developing in the uneven top surfaces of the premolars and molars. Professional fluoride treatments aid in fortifying the enamel and warding off cavities. Typically, sealants and fluoride treatments are covered by dental insurance only for child patients, but it’s a wise investment for adults who would like to avoid developing cavities.

A MODERN DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CAVITIES
If you do develop a cavity, you should get it treated as soon as possible with a tooth-colored filling at a dental practice in Chicago, IL. If you are looking for an experienced dentist who provides modern treatments like tooth-colored fillings, set up an appointment at DentalWorks – Chicago Loop. Our team of dental professionals will work with your whole family for any current problems and help you prevent future concerns to keep your teeth healthy.