You may find yourself feeling anxious or unsure about what to expect when it comes to your dental visits. Understanding common dental procedures can help ease your worries and make you feel more confident about taking care of your oral health. In this blog post, we will walk you through some of the most typical dental treatments, from routine cleanings to more advanced procedures like dental implants, so you can feel well-informed and prepared for your next appointment.
Key Takeaways:
- Routine cleanings: Routine cleanings are necessary for maintaining good oral health because they help remove plaque, tartar, and stains that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
- Fillings: We use fillings to restore teeth damaged by decay. They help to prevent further decay and restore tooth functionality.
- Root canals: Infected or severely decayed teeth undergo a root canal procedure to preserve them. It involves removing the infected pulp and sealing the tooth to prevent further infection.
Preventive Dentistry
Regular Check-Ups
Your oral health is important, and one of the best ways to maintain it is by attending regular dental check-ups. During these appointments, your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, and overall oral health to catch any issues early on. This preventive approach can save you from more extensive treatments down the line and help keep your smile healthy.
Cleanings and Polishing
A vital part of preventive dentistry is getting regular cleanings and polishings at your dental visits. These procedures remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth, which can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and unpleasant breath. Your dental hygienist will use special tools to clean and polish your teeth, leaving them feeling smooth and looking bright.
Regular cleanings and polishing not only improve the appearance of your teeth but also contribute to your overall oral health. By keeping your teeth clean, you are minimizing the risk of developing dental problems in the future.
Preventive dentistry focuses on maintaining excellent oral hygiene to prevent dental issues before they occur. By taking a proactive approach to your oral health and attending regular check-ups and cleanings, you can keep your smile looking its best and avoid more invasive treatments in the future.
Restorative Dentistry
Some of the most common restorative dental procedures include fillings, bonding, crowns, bridges, dentures, and partial dentures. These treatments aim to repair and restore the natural function and appearance of your teeth.
Fillings and Bonding
One common restorative procedure is getting fillings for cavities or bonding to repair minor imperfections such as chips or gaps in your teeth. Composite resin, amalgam, gold, or porcelain materials typically make up fillings. Applying a tooth-coloured resin to the damaged area, then shaping and polishing it to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, is the process of bonding.
Crowns and Bridges
Crowns completely cover a damaged or decayed tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. On the other hand, bridges serve to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of artificial teeth anchored to the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants for support. Dental cement bonds a crown or bridge to your existing teeth or implants during the bonding procedure. This ensures a secure and long-lasting fit, allowing you to bite and chew without any concerns.
Dentures and Partial Dentures
Dentures are removable appliances used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are custom-made to fit your mouth and improve your ability to eat and speak comfortably. We recommend partial dentures when you still have some natural teeth and need to fill in the gaps for a complete smile. Bridges in dentures serve the purpose of connecting the replacement teeth to stabilize the denture in your mouth and prevent shifting or displacement while eating or talking. They provide additional support and functionality to your dentures, making them a more reliable option for missing teeth restoration. This comprehensive approach to restorative dentistry ensures that your teeth not only look natural but also function properly, allowing you to smile, eat, and speak with confidence. By addressing issues promptly and choosing the right treatment options, you can maintain a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Some dental procedures serve cosmetic purposes, aiming to enhance the appearance of your smile, rather than solely for health reasons. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the aesthetics of your teeth and gums through various procedures.
Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic teeth whitening is a popular procedure to remove stains and discoloration from your teeth, giving you a brighter and more radiant smile. A dentist can perform this procedure in-office, or you can use whitening kits prescribed by your dentist at home.
Veneers and Laminates
Veneers and laminates are two of the most common cosmetic procedures. We place these thin shells over the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance, covering imperfections such as chipped teeth, gaps, or discoloured teeth. Veneers are custom-made to match the colour and shape of your natural teeth, giving you a seamless and beautiful smile. A veneer is a permanent solution that can last for many years with proper care. It is a popular choice for those looking to improve their smile’s overall appearance in a relatively quick and non-invasive manner.
Gum Recontouring
Cosmetic gum recontouring is a procedure that reshapes your gum line to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile. People often undergo this procedure to rectify a “gummy smile,” a condition where your gums stand out excessively when you smile. By removing excess gum tissue, your teeth can appear longer and more balanced, improving your smile’s overall harmony. Teeth with uneven gum lines or excessive gum tissue can benefit from this procedure, giving you a more symmetrical and attractive smile. Gum recontouring can also help improve oral health by making it easier to clean between your teeth and gums, reducing the risk of gum disease and other issues. Local anesthesia typically ensures your comfort during this procedure. After the recontouring is complete, your gums will heal quickly, and you’ll be able to enjoy a more confident smile.
Endodontic Procedures
Often, when you experience severe tooth pain or infection, your dentist may recommend an endodontic procedure to save your tooth. Endodontic procedures focus on treating issues affecting the inside of your tooth, such as the pulp and roots. Two common endodontic procedures are root canals and apicoectomies.
Root Canals
A root canal is a necessary endodontic procedure when the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or inflamed. During a root canal, your dentist will remove the infected pulp, clean the inside of your tooth, and seal it to prevent further infection. This procedure is crucial in saving your tooth, alleviating your pain, and restoring the health of your smile
Apicoectomies
Root apex surgery, also known as an apicoectomy, is a procedure that targets issues around the tooth’s root tip. When a root canal fails to resolve the infection or when inflammation persists around the root tip, the dentist typically recommends this treatment. During an apicoectomy, the dentist will access the root tip through the gum tissue, remove any infected tissue, and seal the end of the root to prevent further issues. This procedure can save a tooth that would otherwise require extraction.
Understanding these endodontic procedures can help you feel more informed and prepared in the event that your dentist recommends them. By addressing the issues inside your tooth, these treatments aim to save your natural tooth and alleviate any pain or discomfort you may be experiencing.
Periodontal Procedures
Despite your best efforts at oral hygiene, you may still require some periodontal procedures to maintain the health of your gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontal procedures focus on treating diseases that affect the supporting structures of the teeth, such as the gums and bone.
Scaling and Root Planing
For some individuals, a professional cleaning may not be sufficient to remove the buildup of plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gum line. In such cases, your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing. During this procedure, the dental professional will remove the plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and roots, as well as smooth out rough areas on the roots to prevent bacteria from reattaching. Scaling and root planing can help treat gum disease and prevent its progression, ultimately promoting healthier gums and supporting bone.
Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty
Scaling alone may not be enough to address certain gum diseases. In more advanced cases, your dentist may recommend gingivectomy and gingivoplasty procedures. Gingivectomy involves the surgical removal of gum tissue to eliminate areas where bacteria can accumulate and cause damage. Gingivoplasty, on the other hand, reshapes and reforms the gum tissue to create a more pleasing appearance or to ensure a more snug fit around the teeth after the resolution of the bacterial infection.
Bone Grafting
Additionally, bone grafting may be necessary in cases where there has been significant bone loss due to periodontal disease. During this procedure, your dentist will use either synthetic or natural bone material to rebuild the bone structure that supports your teeth. This can help stabilize the teeth and prevent further tooth loss due to weak bone support.
In conjunction with other periodontal treatments, bone grafting is a common procedure that restores the health and integrity of the supporting bone structures in your mouth.
Oral Surgery
To ensure your oral health, you may sometimes need to undergo oral surgery. This can involve various procedures to address issues such as impacted wisdom teeth, severe tooth decay, or the need for dental implants.
Tooth Extractions
To avoid further complications, a severely damaged or decayed tooth may require extraction. During a tooth extraction, your dentist will numb the area with local anesthesia and gently remove the tooth. This procedure is relatively quick and should not cause significant discomfort.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
The removal of wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, is a common oral surgery procedure. These teeth often become impacted, causing pain, swelling, and potential infection. Your dentist or oral surgeon will evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and recommend removal if necessary to prevent future problems.
We usually perform the extraction of wisdom teeth under local or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure. Pain medication and proper care can manage the swelling and mild discomfort you may experience after the extraction.
Dental Implants
A dentist may recommend a dental implant to restore your smile and oral function if you are missing a tooth. A dentist surgically places a titanium post into the jawbone to replace the root of a missing tooth. This post serves as a stable foundation for the attachment of a crown or denture, emulating the appearance and functionality of a natural tooth.
One of the main advantages of dental implants is that they help preserve the jawbone’s integrity by stimulating bone growth. This can prevent the bone loss that often occurs after tooth loss, maintaining the structure of your face and supporting overall oral health.
Summing up
Upon reflecting on the information presented in “Common Dental Procedures Explained”, it becomes clear that having a good understanding of these procedures can help you feel more informed and at ease when visiting the dentist. Whether it’s a routine cleaning or a more complex treatment like a root canal, knowing what to expect can alleviate anxiety and empower you to take charge of your dental health.
