General dentistry services are designed to improve a patient’s long-term oral health. Although the services offered by general dentists vary, common services include routine cleanings, cavity fillings, scaling and root planing, dental crowns, and root canal therapy.
On the first visit with a general dentist, they will conduct an oral examination and determine what treatments are necessary. They can put together a long-term treatment and prevention plan to not only restore any issues with the patient's oral health but also reduce the risk of future complications.
A routine dental cleaning is one of the most common dental procedures. If the general dentist determines that there are no oral health concerns that require treatment after examining the patient’s mouth and their dental X-rays, then they typically recommend a routine cleaning. This involves gently removing plaque and tartar build-up on the surface of teeth enamel and along the gum line. Routine cleanings are recommended once every four to six months.
Doing cavity fillings is relatively common among general dentistry practices. This is necessary when teeth enamel weakens and eventually erodes away. For weakened enamel only, the dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment. For more severe cavities, the dentist may recommend a root canal procedure. However, most cavities are treated through dental fillings, which involve removing the decay, filling the tooth with a tooth-colored material, and hardening the material.
Scaling and root planing, also called a deep dental cleaning, is necessary if periodontitis develops and threatens the patient's long-term oral health. The procedure involves cleaning below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar build-up, whereas a routine cleaning only involves cleaning at and above the gum line.
A dental crown can restore a severely weakened or damaged tooth for the long term. Different types of crown material can be chosen based on the location of the tooth and the patient’s preference. It is a relatively non-invasive procedure and can save a tooth from becoming lost. Crowns can last for more than a decade with proper care.
Root canal therapy is performed in general dentistry to treat deep tooth decay or an oral infection that extends to the tooth root. The procedure involves drilling to access the root of the tooth, removing the infected pulp inside the pulp chamber found in the tooth root, and filling the cavity with a material known as gutta-percha. The general dentist then places a dental crown on the tooth to protect it from further harm and restore its appearance.
If you have not been to the dentist in more than six months, then contact our general dentistry practice today to arrange a visit. We would be glad to determine what your treatment needs are for ideal oral health and answer any questions or concerns that you may have about caring for your oral health between visits.
Request an appointment here: https://stellarsmilesbridgewater.com or call Stellar Smiles Bridgewater at (908) 772-8629 for an appointment in our Bridgewater office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Bridgewater, NJ.
In general dentistry, tooth pain is a common problem that individuals deal with. Oftentimes, pain is the result of a different problem; however, the average person is not likely to be able to know what that problem is. Of course, the help of a general dentist will be required at some point. Nonetheless, it is…
General dentistry providers often perform dental filling procedures on patients needing to restore slightly damaged teeth. Fillings can be used to treat minor chips and cracks, but for the most part, they are done to bring an infected tooth back to life.Want to learn more about what it is like to undergo a dental filling…
You might want to head to a general dentist if you find yourself dealing with a cavity. Cavities are tiny holes that form on teeth because of tooth decay. Acids created by oral bacteria eat away at teeth surfaces, creating those tiny holes. Other symptoms include reoccurring toothaches, increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods,…
Visits to your general dentist are done routinely, which for most people is twice per year or every six months. Sometimes, your dentist may recommend a deep dental cleaning. What is that? In this article, we will review what a dental cleaning is and when you might be due for one.Just like spring cleaning in…
A dental bridge works by filling up the gaps created by lost teeth. Dental implants or crowns support the pontic or prosthetic tooth from either side. Dental bridges provide many benefits, including improving one's ability to eat and communicate. They help protect the jawbone and stop the rest of the teeth from moving into the…
Clear braces can be used to improve your smile and straighten your teeth. They emerged in response to the growing number of adults who refused to get the treatments they needed simply because they did not want to deal with traditional metal braces.Metal braces are oral appliances that cover up a person's teeth. They consist…