Your teeth are strong, durable structures that must withstand massive amounts of pressure each day. It is important to protect your teeth and keep them strong through daily brushing and regular professional care from a licensed and experienced general dentist.
General dentistry involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a wide range of dental conditions for patients of all ages, as well as the maintenance of overall oral health. This comprehensive care from a general dentist is usually the only source of care patients require for their dental needs. There are several different dental specialties, but general dentistry encompasses the basics of these specialties.
You can prevent dental conditions by seeing your dentist on a regular basis. Regular visits to the dentist are recommended at least once every six months in order to maintain proper oral hygiene and screen for any potential problems. Receiving regular checkups can help improve your dental health and prevent major problems from developing. These checkups involve a full mouth cleaning as well.
A dental checkup appointment may also include X-rays to provide your doctor with full, detailed images of your teeth that can help detect early signs of decay or disease. These images can be viewed together by the doctor and patient in order to determine any potential problems and decide upon the best treatment options. Digital X-rays are becoming more and more common and produce immediate images that can be easily managed.
Some of the common services included in general dentistry are:
Many dental conditions damage the tooth and cause aesthetic and functional changes that require special treatment. These services can repair or replace teeth depending on the extent of their damage. Restorative procedures include fillings, crowns and bridges, porcelain veneers, implants, bonding, dentures and root canals.
Many people seek cosmetic dental care after certain dental conditions or because of an overall dissatisfaction with the appearance of their teeth. These procedures can improve the color, shape and size of your teeth and enhance your overall smile as well. Cosmetic treatments often improve self-confidence as well as patients are able to face the world with a healthy, beautiful smile. Some of the most popular cosmetic treatments include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, bonding and full mouth reconstruction.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a common dental condition that plagues many patients. Gum disease can be managed through treatments such as scaling and root planning, charting and practicing thorough, proper home care. Surgery and other advanced treatments may be performed for later stages of the disease.
While there are specialists for many of these treatments, they are also included in general dentistry and can be performed by most dentists. Complicated issues may be referred to a specialist such as a periodontist or prosthodontist, while age-specific issues may benefit from seeing a pediatric or geriatric dentist.
Certain dental procedures require the use of anesthetic aids. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, your doctor may administer a local anesthetic, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or IV sedation. These help minimize pain and discomfort during the procedure and reduce some of the anxiety many patients experience. Although most procedures only require local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, it is important to consider the risks of anesthesia before undergoing the procedure.
It is important for patients to work together with their dentist to maintain their oral health through daily care. General dentistry covers most patients' dental needs regardless of their age or desired treatment. These treatments restore health and beauty to your smile and leave you feeling more confident and comfortable than before, all while maintaining excellent oral health.
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Oral surgery may be required to diagnose or treat injuries and diseases in the mouth. Biopsies can determine the presence of oral cancer or tumors, which may then be surgically removed (excised). Tooth extractions prevent or treat damage caused by impacted wisdom teeth or crowding. Surgical contouring of the jaw or gum line can correct jaw alignment problems, TMJ, malocclusion ("bad bite") or other problems.
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Oral pathology is a subspecialty of dentistry that focuses on the identification, treatment, origins and effects of oral and maxillofacial diseases. Oral pathologists are involved in all areas of disease management including research, diagnosis/examination and treatment.
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