General Dentistry

Dental Exams:

A large percentage of people don’t visit their dentist for routine dental checkups. When you delay treatment, you increase the potential damage and the severity of the issue. With regular dental exams, you can detect problems early, preventing any major damage or tooth decay. During a typical dental exam, your dentist or a dental hygienist will remove plaque and buildup from your teeth. X-rays will be taken to get a better look at your teeth.

How often should you schedule this regular exam?

The general recommendation is to visit your dentist at least twice per year.

Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning is often a part of the regularly scheduled checkup. Along with examination, the dentist/ dental hygienist   will use equipment to remove any buildup and plaque that you could not reach with your toothbrush .As well as flossing and polishing will be done.

Sealants:

Sealants can be used to protect your teeth against cavities. These sealants are typically applied during routine dental checkups. Though, they are most commonly used in order to protect children’s teeth as they develop some time high caries risk adults will need sealants.

Fillings:

When you have a dental cavity, you will experience sensitivity and pain  for temperature changes and while eating sweets, When you experience this pain it is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Not seeking medical attention can further damage your teeth and can minimize the possibility of the teeth being saved.

The most common reason for tooth decay is poor oral hygiene, Not brushing and flossing daily can lead to cavities due to food staying on your teeth. One of the main culprits is sugar. When left on the teeth, sugar can cause cavities that start out small and begin to grow if the oral hygiene regime doesn't change. Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth are all candidates for a filling. Sometimes regular wear of the tooth can also cause damage. Grinding, clenching and aggressive brushing may lead to thinning of the enamel and exposes the soft under layer (Dentin), which leads to tooth sensitivity. In some cases these teeth will need a restoration.

You may also need a filling for cosmetic reasons. This is a great way to fix a smile and will make the tooth or teeth look natural again.

 When you first notice a crack or hole beginning to form in your tooth, it is wise to set an appointment with your dentist . If the problem is caught in its early stages, the tooth can be saved easily. The longer you wait, the bigger the problem can become.

What Can I Expect When Having a Dental Filling?

Most visits will involve the dentist using instruments to check the tooth or teeth. Depending on the level of damage, an x-ray may need to be done. The dentist will examine not only the tooth but the gums and bone near it. After the dentist has finished the examination, he or she will go about helping to decide what can be done to fix the damage. If the damage to your tooth is minor, it may qualify for a filling. However, if the tooth is extremely damaged, you may be in need of a root canal. If you are in need of a filling, the dentist will give you all the available options of filling material.

What Materials are Used for Dental Fillings?

There are several different materials that can be used and these will depend on the level of decay in the tooth, the location of the damaged tooth, and the price that you can afford. The materials are gold, silver, porcelain, and a composite resin that is created to be the same color as your tooth.

The Gold Fillings have been said to be the best fillings because they are known to last over 20 years. This is used on inlays, onlays, and crowns, and is the most expensive of the filling materials. The downside is that this filling can require two office visits to complete, where others may only need one.

The Silver Fillings are normally used in the back of the mouth because the color of the silver tends to stand out and doesn't blend in with the tooth. It is fairly inexpensive and is known to last about 10 years or longer. The downside for this filling is that the process of filling the tooth destroys healthier parts of the tooth because room has to be made in order for the filling to hold.

The Porcelain Fillings are used for inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, etc. They are the color of your tooth but have been known to be more brittle. The life span is around 7 years and the price can be as much as a gold filling but this depends on the size of the damaged area.

Composite Resins matches the color of your teeth. A special light is used to harden the resin inside of the tooth and this allows the filling to blend in with your tooth and create a more natural look. Since this bonds directly to your tooth, it makes the tooth stronger than it would be with some of the other fillings. This filling material costs less than the gold fillings and can lasts for some time.

The life span of the filling will depend on how big the damaged area was to start with. Some people who have previously had fillings may need them replaced because they have cracked, decay has started to form under them, or simply because they look unappealing.

How Much Does a Dental Filling Cost?

The price of a filling will vary depending on which material is being used and size of the cavity.

What is the Process of a Dental Filling?

The dentist will first start by numbing the tooth and the area around it. He or she will then choose their instrument to begin cleaning out the decay in the tooth. Once all of the decay has been removed, the dentist will proceed to shape the inside of the tooth and fill it with your choice of filling. When the filling is in, he or she will then do a bite check to make sure the filling is level and not too high. If for any reason the filling is too high once you have gotten home, you can set a new appointment to go back and have it smoothed down. If you experience any symptoms after having the filling in that aren't normal, you should revisit your dentist.

How Do I Care for Dental Fillings?

Depending on the filling you have, it may be instantly for a filling to set or up to 48 hours. You may experience some sensitivity but this is a common side effect. This should only last a few weeks but if it goes longer, visit your dentist and he or she may have some desensitizing methods to help you.

However, if you begin to having pain that feels like an actual toothache, this may mean that the and tissue is damaged and a root canal may be needed. When eating, take the filling into consideration with the items you choose to consume. It is especially wise to avoid any foods that are sticky because they may pull the filling out before it has had time to set and when you do eat, chew on the side without the filling. It is very important to brush and floss properly and to do it on a daily basis. Proper oral hygiene is an important way to prevent any more decay or damage to your teeth. This will help take care of your teeth and hopefully avoid having to have any more fillings or any other dental procedures in the future.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays are used to cover the center of the inner cusp of the end of the tooth. It covers the very center of the biting surface of the tooth. An onlay covers the entire biting surface. They are like fillings, except that they are used to cover parts of the biting surface, rather than the exterior sides of the tooth.

General dentistry covers a variety of different procedures. From teeth whitening to root canal treatments, you can rely on your local dentist to help maintain the health of your teeth. During these visits, your dentist may detect dental problems, including the presence of tooth decay, gum disease, or cavities. If any of these issues are detected, your early detection could prevent severe or irreversible damage.

To schedule an appointment give us a call at (505)585-5157(or) email at apexdentalnm@gmail.com (or) simply fill out a form on our website.