General dentistry is the foundation of your overall oral health. The general dentist is a dentist you first visit when you experience dental problems. This field of dentistry is the practice of preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions affecting the teeth, gums, and jaw.
The treatments that fall under this category include:
Routine Dental Cleanings
A dental cleaning is a general dentistry service that helps patients avoid cavities, gum disease, and other oral health concerns. The American Dental Association recommends getting a dental cleaning every six months. When you come in for your routine dental cleaning, our dental hygienist will clean your teeth by removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your mouth. We will also polish your teeth and floss them to make sure there is no food debris or bacteria between your teeth.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure designed to remove plaque and tartar from beneath the gum line. This treatment is typically recommended for patients with periodontal disease. Scaling involves scraping the surface of the teeth, and root planing is the process of removing rough spots on the tooth roots.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth, usually the molars and premolars. They do a fantastic job at protecting the teeth from plaque and food debris.
The result is a better bite, healthier teeth, and stronger enamel.
Dental Fillings
Cavities, or dental caries, are holes in the teeth that can form when teeth aren’t properly cleaned. A dental filling can stop cavities from spreading and restore the health of the tooth. Fillings are made up of dental resin, composite, or porcelain materials.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from the mouth. Extractions are performed for a wide variety of reasons, including tooth decay that has destroyed enough tooth structure to render the tooth non-restorable, to prevent infection, or to prepare the oral cavity for orthodontic treatment.
Teeth can be extracted while a patient is awake using a local anesthetic. However, many people choose to have their wisdom teeth removed under general anesthesia, which renders them unconscious and unable to feel pain. General anesthesia is usually required for third molars, which are the last teeth to erupt.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy, or endodontics, is a procedure used to save a badly decayed tooth. A root canal is necessary when decay has penetrated through the enamel and dentin and reached the soft tissue or pulp of the tooth.
During this procedure, the pulp and nerve of the tooth are removed. The inside of the tooth is cleaned and sealed. A dental crown is then placed over the tooth to strengthen and restore it.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns and bridges are restorative treatments that are meant to restore a tooth to normal form and function. A dental crown can be used to restore a tooth that is damaged, cracked, or worn down. A dental bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
If you are looking for a Sierra Vista, AZ, general dentist, call (520)-458-1989 or schedule an online consultation. You can Visit us at 66 North Garden Ave, Sierra Vista, AZ
