How healthy are your teeth? Although many people are quick to underestimate their dental health, the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of different elements that play into overall dental wellness. From how often you brush and floss to how regularly you attend regular checkups, it is important to stay in close communication with your dentist, especially if you come down with a new symptom. The purpose of this website is to help people to understand and resolve dental issues, since small symptoms can lead to big problems down the road. Check out these posts to learn more about dental care.
You take care of your teeth in the hopes that they will remain cavity-free. Unfortunately, your dentist may find decay in your teeth during one of your annual x-rays. No one wants to get their teeth drilled, but your family dentist can make it a quick and painless experience. Here are four of the things your dentist will do during a cavity filling procedure to ensure you get the results you need:
1. Use topical anesthetic.
When you need dental work done, your dentist will administer local anesthetic through a hypodermic needle. The local anesthetic will numb your tooth so they can perform the cavity drilling without causing you pain. However, before administering a local anesthetic, your dentist will first apply a topical anesthetic. This anesthetic will numb the injection site, so you will feel less discomfort during that part of the appointment.
2. Offer soothing anxiety medication.
Some people are more nervous at the dentist than others. Feeling scared of a cavity filling procedure is very normal, but you don't need to suffer through your anxiety. Family dentists have access to safe and effective anxiety medication that can make your next dental filling a breeze. Laughing gas is safe for patients of all ages. Contrary to its name, it won't make you laugh. Laughing gas will simply help you feel calmer while the dentist works on your teeth.
3. Offer tooth-colored fillings.
Dental fillings used to be made from amalgam, a type of metal. Nowadays, most people prefer tooth-colored fillings made from a resin composite. Tooth-colored fillings are durable and long-lasting, just like amalgam fillings. However, they are less visible, which makes them desirable. Composite fillings are more expensive, and you may need to pay the difference out of pocket; many dental insurance plans don't cover cosmetic procedures, and composite fillings may be considered cosmetic. However, many patients prefer the invisible look of tooth-colored fillings in their teeth.
4. Check your bite.
Once your new filling is in place, your dentist will make sure it fits properly. A filling that's too high can cause tooth and jaw pain in the future since it will interfere with your tooth occlusion. Your dentist will check your bite using transfer paper. They will place the transfer paper between your teeth and ask you to bite down and grind your teeth from side to side. Using the location of dye transferred to your teeth as a guide, your dentist will reduce your new filling until it fits perfectly.
To learn more information, reach out to a family dentist near you.