Many people may feel worried when it comes to their dental health. They know that they need to get in to see the dentist, but they worry that they will need to get a lot of work done on their teeth and they don’t want to handle it at the time. They may be confused about what some of the most common dental procedures even are. Understanding some of the common dental procedures they are going to utilize will make a big difference in how comfortable you feel when you go to the dentist.
There are a lot of different dental procedures that you can choose to do to preserve the look and feel of your mouth. Some of the most common dental procedures that you can choose include:
1. Fillings
This is a very common dental procedure that you can get done when you go to the dentist’s office. First, the dentist is going to do a full exam of the mouth in order to see whether there is any tooth decay present or not. They may do a dye that will help find the cavities or they can rely on x-rays to give them a closer look in the mouth.
If the dentist finds that there is only a surface-level cavity, then they will need to use a silver metal or a white composite material to help fill the whole and even out some of the chewing surfaces as well. This will stop the cavity from growing and the tooth can be sealed off at the same time. This same option can be used if there has been trauma to the teeth that has left them broken or cracked along the way.
2. Root Canals
Another option that you may be able to get when it comes to dental procedures at the dentist is the root canal. Typically, the pulp of the tooth, or the tissue that is found in the middle of the tooth, will get infected or inflamed and the dentist will need to get it removed through a root canal. The inflammation or the infection can be caused through a variety of different issues such as
- Repeated dental procedures on the same tooth
- Faulty crowns
- Deep decay
- Chip or crack in the tooth.
If the tooth is not treated or the infection does not go away, it is possible that a buildup of pus will form into an abscess. These can start to destroy the bone around the tooth and be painful at the same time. The root canal will help to solve some of this process. After adding on the root canal, the dentist may want to add a crown to the tooth to give it more protection as well.
3. Dental Crown or Cap
A crown is going to be a device that is able to permanently cover your existing tooth. It is going to be used by your dentist if there is a lot of decay in the tooth or the tooth has become broken or chipped. They can also be placed on the tooth after a root canal to make it stronger.
For the most part, crowns are going to be composed out of porcelain, metal, or a combination of the two. If you come into the dentist office for a crown, the dentist will often numb the tooth as well as the tissue around it. The tooth getting the crown will be filed down to help make some room for the growth. If a lot of the tooth is missing, then expect them to use some filling material to help build the tooth up more to provide additional support for the crown.
After he tooth has been reshaped well, the dentist is going to make a mold that is sent off to a dental lab to make a crown. The patient will get a temporary crown to protect the tooth until the new one is delivered. They will have to come back when the new crown is done. At that time, the temporary crown is removed, the tooth is numbed again, and the new crown is put into place.
4. Bridges and Implants
Next on the list of common dental procedures are the bridges and implants. These are going to be methods used to help replace some of your missing teeth. The first method is a bridge, which is often given the name of a removable denture. This will be a false tooth that is attached to the teeth on either side with a crown. These will be supported with implants or natural teeth.
The second method is going to be an implant. These will look and behave just like your natural teeth. They will have metal posts or frames that will be placed into the bone socket of the tooth that is missing. As the healing takes place in the bone of the jaw, it is going to grow around the post, which helps anchor it to the jaw. These implants are unique in that they will fuse to the bone, which makes them close to permanent teeth.
5. Extractions
Your dentist may also choose to do an extraction of the teeth. This is when they see a tooth that is decayed or broken beyond repair and they decide that it needs to be removed. There are also times when the tooth will be taken out because it is in the way and blocks the other teeth from growing. Wisdom teeth can also be extracted to help take away some of the pain in the mouth. Your dentist will be able to discuss all of the reasons for extractions and whether this is the right dental procedure for you.
There are many different dental procedures that you can choose to do to help preserve your oral health and help yourself feel your very best. When you are ready to see about your oral health and all that it entails, you need to work with the best dentist in town. At Bridgewater Family Dental, we are proud to offer some of the highest quality dental care for all of our patients, no matter their age or how long it has been since their last dental visit. Come and visit us today to help keep your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible.
