What Procedures Do General Dentistry Do?
Depending on the dental procedure, certain kinds of work or surgery can be extensive. The general dentist can usually perform necessary dental work without having to go to another office and without the added expense. However, many people do not really understand the value of general practitioners because their job title is unspecific. But to avoid unnecessary visits to other dental offices, it helps to know the role of a general dentist.
Having the word “general” in front of the dentistry occupation does not diminish the qualifications and skills of a doctor. This term merely indicates that these professionals are primary care dentists or family dentists. These doctors are responsible for all oral health care needs. From crowns and fillings to root canals and veneers, these dental professionals can perform many important procedures.
General Dentistry Procedure: Fillings
Dental fillings treat teeth with cavities or decay, as well as repair injured teeth with fractures. If a patient complains of a toothache, the first thing that the dentist will do is check for cracks or cavities by examining the tooth visually and taking x-rays. If they find that the tooth has to be filled, they fix the tooth. After numbing the tooth, the dentist will use a drill to remove decayed dental tissue in the inner tooth. The tooth is then cleaned before it is sealed with a dental filling. There are many types of fillings, and your dentist can help you pick the right one. Mild tooth decay and small cavities are found in the teeth of many people, so dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures.
General Dentistry Procedure: Dental Crowns
Dental crowns repair teeth that have been badly damaged by injury or decay. Crowns are one type of dental restoration and are pretty much the only thing that can save your damaged teeth from extraction. Crowns can also correct cosmetic imperfections. It usually takes two appointments to complete the procedure, since the crown will have to be made in a laboratory. There are general dentists who can make the crowns themselves, so it is possible to get the whole procedure done in just a day. Crowns restore teeth by completely covering them, protecting them from further damage and infection.
General Dentistry Procedure: Tooth Extractions
If a decayed tooth is beyond saving, a general dentist will easily pull it out. Once an impacted tooth will try to push past the gum and fail, the dentist will remove it. These doctors will also remove painful or troublesome wisdom teeth that cannot make up their mind if they will grow out or not. If the problem tooth is located above the gums, it is removed by first loosening it from the bone socket before it is pulled out. Teeth that cause trouble under the gums are extracted with minor oral surgery.
General Dentistry Procedure: Dental Implants
Dental implants offer the best and most permanent way to replace lost teeth. Applying for dental implants involves minor oral surgery to put the implant into the jawbone of the patient. The whole process can require a few procedures and take a few months to complete, but dental implants will give the patient permanent artificial teeth. Crowns and dentures that are supported by implants work just like real teeth.
General Dentistry Procedure: Braces
Braces or orthopedic treatment is used to position the teeth in a way that will make the easy to clean and aesthetically pleasing. They can also correct bad bites that can make it hard to talk or eat. The majority of the braces worn today are used to align the teeth of patients under 18 years of age.
These dental procedures are nothing to be afraid of. Thanks to aesthetics, getting your teeth fixed has become a pain-free process. So you can rest assured knowing that your general dentist has all the necessary knowledge and training to get any dental problem fixed.
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