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://www.sunshinedentalelmonte.com or call Sunshine Dental Group at (626) 325-2133 for an appointment in our El Monte office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in El Monte, CA.
Patients are often confused about the need for X-rays during a general dentistry appointment. Digital X-rays give dentists the ability to see what is not visible to the naked eyes. Developing oral issues can be quickly detected and treated, hopefully with less invasive procedures. Continue reading to learn more about the relevance of digital X-rays…
Understanding what types of procedures a general dentist can do is a great idea. A dental crown, a.k.a. a dental cap, is a tooth restoration option that is used to cover a damaged tooth, with the goal of saving the tooth. General dentists will do everything they can to save a tooth because missing teeth…
General dentistry is responsible for addressing all routine things relating to the teeth, including damage that occurs. Teeth become damaged as a result of many things, such as injury, accidents, natural wear and tear, or cavities. Whatever the reasoning may be for a damaged tooth, there are a lot of treatment options available in general…
General dentistry includes the restoration of damaged teeth, which may refer to cavities or aesthetic issues, such as staining, chipping, or cracking. Thankfully, there are many ways to restore teeth that have become damaged.The type of damage that occurs will determine what type of restoration is needed. General dentists can identify this as soon as…
Clear braces can mean different things to different individuals. Some individuals use the term when referring to aligners. Aligners are not braces in the traditional sense, but these appliances help dentists to move the teeth too. When dentists use the term “clear braces,” the oral health care providers are probably referring to braces that have…
Are you looking into your teeth straightening options? Orthodontics is a popular part of the dental arena, as straight teeth are desirable. Not only because straight teeth make for a pleasant-looking smile, but it is also important for teeth to be in their correct positions in order to support good oral health. Choosing a general…