General dentistry includes all dental treatment options that are essential to protecting and preserving one's oral and dental health. General dentistry procedures prevent the onset of any dental diseases and keep your overall mouth healthy and disease-free.
General dentistry is all-encompassing. It refers to preventative, diagnostic, and restorative procedures that deal with a patient's teeth, gums, and jaw. General dentistry is preventive care that helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues.
General Dentistry Procedures
- Examinations and Cleaning
During your dental visits, our dentist will perform a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and mouth. We'll also check for signs of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as oral cancer. We will obtain dental X-rays if needed. We will also perform a thorough dental cleaning to remove any plaque, tartar, or food particles from your teeth and polish them.
We recommend patients visit for checkups twice a year. These visits are important for preventing dental problems, catching them early, and resolving them before they cause discomfort or require complex treatment.
- Dental X-ray
Dental X-rays offer your dentist a detailed image of your teeth and mouth. They are used to diagnose cavities, bone loss, infections, and more. Dental X-rays can also find problems that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
- Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments are a preventative dental solution that helps strengthen enamel and protect teeth from decay and cavities. It can also reverse minor decay or damage to the teeth. There are several different types of fluoride treatments available. The most common are fluoride varnishes and fluoride gels. Fluoride varnishes are typically painted onto teeth and left on for a few minutes. Fluoride gels are applied similarly to fluoride varnishes but are typically brushed onto the teeth by the dentist in Garland, TX.
- Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the most common treatments used in dentistry. A dental filling is a dental restoration used to repair minimal tooth fractures, tooth decay, or otherwise damaged surfaces of the teeth. Teeth can be filled with a variety of materials like composite, porcelain, and gold fillings. Composite fillings are tooth-colored and are made of a plastic and glass mixture. Composite fillings are created by your dentist by mixing composite resin to match your tooth's natural color. Composite fillings are bonded to your teeth, which does not require as extensive removal of tooth structure as amalgam fillings. Composite fillings are highly durable and can last up to 10 to 15 years. Porcelain fillings are matched to your tooth's color, shape, and size. Porcelain fillings are fabricated in a dental lab and bonded to your teeth. Porcelain fillings are highly durable and can last up to 30 years. Gold fillings last longer than composite fillings and porcelain fillings. Gold fillings are made of different types of gold alloys.
- Sealants
Dental sealants are a preventative dentistry treatment applied over a child's teeth to prevent the development of tooth decay. Made of clear or tooth-colored plastic, sealants are applied to the surface of your child's back molars, as this is where dental decay is most likely to begin. Sealants are a safe and effective way to seal out tooth decay and cavities. Your dentist may recommend sealants for children or adults who are prone to tooth decay. The plastic coating is painted onto the teeth, creating a smooth, protective coating. The coating is durable and protects teeth from plaque and bacteria.
- Mouthguards
Mouthguards are devices like plastic or silicone pieces that are molded to fit around your teeth, which creates an additional barrier between your teeth and any impact. Mouthguards are typically used during sports, in contact sports, or in other situations where there's a risk of injury to the mouth. Many sports require the use of a mouthguard to protect your mouth and teeth from injuries. For example, a mouthguard can prevent a basketball or football player from breaking their jaw or knocking out a tooth during impact. Mouthguards prevent your teeth from chipping, breaking, or losing. Even non-contact sports, such as gymnastics, volleyball, and skateboarding, can damage teeth if they are not properly protected. A mouthguard will protect your teeth and mouth if you fall or accidentally get hit. Although mouthguards are beneficial, they do not replace an athletic helmet.
- Teeth Extractions
If a tooth is severely decayed or injured, a dentist might have to remove it. Teeth extractions involve removing a tooth from the mouth.
Patients might need a tooth extraction for a number of reasons.
- A tooth is decayed beyond repair.
- A tooth is fractured or cracked.
- A tooth is impacted, meaning it's trapped beneath the gum line or wedged between other teeth.
- A tooth is crowding other teeth.
- A tooth is severely damaged due to an accident.
- A tooth is impacted and unable to grow.
- A tooth is infected, and antibiotics can't treat the infection.
Extractions or pulling teeth are usually the last resort. Our dentists recommend extractions only when other treatment options have been exhausted.
To learn more about the dental services offered by Choice Dental Associates, call us at (972) 530-7374 or schedule an appointment online.
