4 Common General Dentistry Treatments

There are common general dentistry treatments available at the dental office. General dentistry typically focuses on preventive and restorative treatments to ensure a patient’s optimal oral health. In most cases, if a person has a dental issue, one of these standard procedures will most likely be the solution.

Common general dentistry treatments

The following are common treatments available at the general dentistry office.

Dental fillings

Dental fillings are the most often used dental procedures because tiny cavities and moderate tooth decay are prevalent among most people. Dental fillings are used for restoring cavities or decayed teeth and repairing fractured or damaged teeth. When a patient is dealing with a toothache, the dentist thoroughly examines their mouth to look for cavities and cracks. They do this by visually inspecting the tooth and using X-rays. If the dentist determines that the tooth requires a filling, they will proceed with treatment immediately.

The dental professional will utilize a dental drill to remove any decaying dental tissue in the inner tooth after administering a local anesthetic for numbing. They will clean the tooth properly with water before using a dental filling to seal the tooth.

Dental crowns

These can restore teeth that have been severely damaged due to disease or trauma. Crowns are the only dental restorations that can keep damaged teeth from being extracted. They are also utilized to cover up aesthetic flaws.

Since most crowns must be manufactured in a dental laboratory, the operation usually takes two dentist sessions to complete. However, some general dentistry offices have the equipment to create the crowns themselves, allowing a patient to have a dental crown installed in a single day. Crowns protect the teeth from other infections or injuries.

Tooth extractions

The dental professional will recommend a tooth extraction if a tooth is too damaged or infected to be salvaged. Also, when an impacted tooth tries but fails to push through the gum, the dentist will extract it. Extraction is often needed for a problematic and uncomfortable wisdom tooth.

If the affected tooth is above the gum line, the dentist will perform extraction by releasing it from its bone socket. A minor surgical procedure may need to be required to remove a tooth under the gums.

Dental implants

Getting dental implants is a sturdy and durable option to restore missing teeth. Dental implants involve placing an implant post into the patient's jawbone. The insertion of dental implants provides the patient with permanent prosthetic teeth, although it takes a few months and numerous operations to finish. Crowns and dentures supported by implants function similarly to natural teeth.