The Different Types of Dental Treatments That Are Prescribed Today

Over 60% of people keep their annual visit to the dentist. Visiting the dentist regularly reduces the risk of developing serious dental complications like gum disease.

But what are some common dental treatments you can expect when you visit the dentist? Which dental procedures should you anticipate and which ones may not apply to you?

When visiting your local dentist, here are a few dental treatments that you may need to have.

Teeth Cleaning

One procedure you can expect when visiting your dentist is teeth cleaning. The dentist examines your teeth, and afterward performs a deep cleaning on your teeth.

While brushing and flossing get rid of bacteria daily, dental tools provide a deeper clean that eliminates sugar effects on teeth, and lingering bacteria, and removes plaque. This deep clean keeps your teeth healthy and clean because not removing excess build-up leads to tooth decay and gum diseases.

Fillings

Cavities are spaces in your teeth caused by bacteria and tooth decay. They cause more problems and pain if they’re not removed and covered up. Fillings fill in the spaces where the cavity once was after it’s removed by your dentist.

When you have a cavity, the dentist removes the decay and uses materials to fill in the space. This keeps the tooth healthy so decay doesn’t spread to other teeth.

Extractions

There are times when your tooth needs extraction. While this sounds very scary, the dentist administers a local anesthetic so you don’t feel any pain. In some cases, you may be asleep entirely, especially if you have several teeth that need pulling.

The best dentist always tries to save the tooth and avoid extraction. However, if the decay has spread, or the tooth is too damaged, extraction may be necessary.

Cosmetic Dental Procedures

The dental industry commits itself to helping people keep their teeth as healthy as possible. But they also offer services to improve the appearance of your teeth.

These procedures are usually considered cosmetic. Teeth whitening, veneers, types of dental implants, orthodontics, all of these are cosmetic dental procedures. Sometimes restorative and cosmetic dentistry cross, especially if fixing a dental problem restores the function of your teeth.

Crown

Crowns cover damaged teeth. When a tooth has damage but doesn’t need an extraction, the dentist suggests covering it with a crown. The dentist first removes any decay and places the crown over the tooth for protection against bacteria.

Crowns typically take two dental visits because crowns are made in a laboratory. At the next appointment, the dentist fits the crown and makes adjustments if necessary. Some dental offices have advanced technology that allows dentists to create crowns and place them on the same day.

Dental Treatments for You

When you know more about dental treatments, you can feel confident during your trip to the dentist. It’s important to remember that dental treatments exist to further advance healthy teeth and gums.

Having a healthy smile keeps your entire body healthy. Visit our Health page today to learn more healthy tips and tricks.