General dentistry refers to any procedure designed to address common oral health issues or to help prevent these issue for occurring. Do you need general dentistry? Yes, you do. Even if you have healthy teeth you need general care to ensure your smile remains healthy and attractive. Otherwise, you run the risk of developing infections, gum disease, tooth decay, and other issues that hurt the stability of your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Dentistry
Question: How do you treat gingivitis?
Answer: When a patient develops gingivitis, we can often reverse the problem with a deep cleaning, removing plaque and tartar from the teeth with scaling and root planing. Once gum disease forms, the doctor can using a deep cleaning to manage the disease and help reverse gum recession.
Question: How do you detect cavities?
Answer: In the past, tooth decay could only be detected with the naked eye and a manual tool, which meant a cavity had to form before treatment could occur. However, we can now employ advanced technology to identify the risk of decay, often preventing a cavity from forming in the first place. In order to identify potential cavities, we may employ digital x-rays, the DIAGNOdent laser fluorescence detector, and intraoral cameras.
Question: When does a patient need a filling?
Answer: If you have a cavity then we may suggest a filling. Unlike the restorations of the past, these contain no metal and can actually blend with the smile. Your new filling looks natural and protects your tooth from further decay and the risk of infection. Placement only takes a single visit. We can also use the same metal-free composite material to repair chipped teeth in cosmetic bonding procedures.
Question: Do you provide extractions?
Answer: Yes. In some cases removing a tooth is crucial for protecting your smile from the spread of infection. If a tooth develops an infection that can’t be treated with a root canal we may remove the tooth. We can also extract wisdom teeth before they erupt, avoiding the risk of impaction, misalignment, and damage to surrounding teeth. We always take steps to ensure the patient is relaxed and comfortable during the procedure.
