10 Most Common General Dentistry Procedures You Have to Know

Going to the dentist might seem boring or unnecessary, but the truth is that your family dentist can perform quite a few procedures that will help maintain and even improve the health of your teeth. Cleanings are the most well-known practice in general dentistry, but there is much more to good oral health.Whether you are actively looking to learn more about what is general dentistry or you are simply curious, here is the list of general dentistry procedures.Bonding is a treatment that can be used to repair teeth that are decayed, chipped, fractured or discoloured or to reduce gaps between teeth. For this procedure, a dentist mixes composite resin into a paste, then tints the mixture to whiten or match the color of your teeth. Several layers of resin are applied to each tooth. Each layer is hardened under an ultraviolet light or laser. Final steps include shaping and polishing the resin material so the finished tooth looks natural and smooth.Bonding can also be used to build up older teeth to make them appear younger. Bonding is an option for people of all ages, including children, as the resin can be replaced as teeth grow.Dental fillings are used to treat teeth that have cavities or decay. They can also be used to repair injured teeth that have fractures. With the help of the dentist, the patient will choose the type of filling that they prefer. They can choose from gold, silver, porcelain or dental resin fillings.Because small cavities and mild tooth decay are found in the teeth of a large majority of Americans, dental fillings are the most performed dental procedure in the country.Dental crown is another general dentistry procedure used to repair teeth that have been badly damaged by decay or injury. As a dental restoration, crowns are pretty much the only things that save damaged teeth from extraction. They are also used to correct cosmetic imperfections.Usually, it takes two dentist appointments to complete the procedure, because most crowns have to be made in a dental laboratory.Some general dentists are able to make the crowns themselves, however, and that makes it possible for a patient to get a dental crown placed in a single day. Crowns restore teeth by covering them completely, which protects them from further infection or damage.A tooth extraction, or dental extraction, is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. There are a number of reasons why tooth removal may be necessary. An extraction may be necessary if your tooth is so damaged that it can’t be fixed with a dental restoration. In some cases, dentists extract teeth to prepare the patient’s mouth for orthodontic treatment.The best and most permanent way to replace real teeth is with dental implants treatments. The placement of dental implants involves minor oral surgery to place the implant into the patient’s jawbone.Though the process takes a few months and several procedures to complete, the placement of dental implants gives the patient permanent artificial teeth.In the past, diseased teeth often had to be extracted. Today, they often can be saved through root canal therapy. Root canals treat diseases or abscessed teeth. Once a tooth is injured, cracked or decayed, it is necessary to open the tooth and clean out the infected tissue in the centre. This space is then filled and the opening sealed. Keeping your tooth helps to prevent your other teeth from drifting out of line and causing jaw problems. Saving a natural tooth avoids having to replace it with an artificial tooth.Have you lost most or all of your teeth? Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth. A complete denture is used when all of the patient’s teeth are missing. A partial denture is used when only some of the teeth are missing. Today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever.Veneers are strong, thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded to the teeth. They are used to repair chipped, decayed or stained teeth and may help in closing gaps between teeth. With a bit of contouring, veneers may also correct slightly crowded or overlapping teeth. If your teeth have discoloured with age, a veneer may improve their appearance.You should visit the dentist every six months for teeth cleanings. Tartar is a hard buildup of plaque that forms on the teeth. Tartar forms below and above the gum line. The only way to remove tartar is to see a dentist for a professional teeth cleaning. Regular teeth cleanings are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums.Sealants are made of plastic and are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent tooth decay. Sealants are painted on as a liquid and harden to form a shield over the teeth. Having sealants put on your teeth will save you money in the long run by avoiding dental fillings, crowns, and other dental treatments.So this is all you need to know about general dentistry dental procedures. Dentistry is a field that encompasses a great many procedures aside from simple teeth cleanings. Next time you visit the dentist, it might be in your best interest to ask what procedures could improve your oral health. Some may ask, “how to find the best general dentistry near me?”. The answer is by launching a search at the ADA’s Find-A-Dentist tool.