Important General Dentistry Treatments and Procedures for Oral Health

Your general dentist does more than examine and clean your teeth. Your general/family dentist also provides treatments and procedures to improve the health of your gums and teeth. These procedures are critical for maintaining a healthy smile. Learn more about the procedures you can get at the dentist.

General dentist procedures and treatments

General dentists provide patients with a wealth of services. Along with exams and cleanings, patients visit dentists for diagnostic procedures, filling and crowns, root canal therapy and gum disease treatment. Patients can also get sealants at the general dentist. Find out how these treatments are used to protect and restore teeth.

Diagnostic procedures

Dentists offer diagnostic procedures. Procedures such as X-rays are used to monitor patients’ oral health. Dentists can look for changes in the tooth’s roots and jawbones with X-rays. Dentists also use X-rays to detect cavities. X-rays allow dentists to find problems early.

Fillings and crowns

Dentists provide fillings and crowns for patients. Fillings are recommended for teeth that have small to moderate amounts of decay. Dentists remove the decay and restore teeth with direct or indirect fillings. Direct fillings are placed in a single visit. Indirect fillings are fabricated in a dental lab and placed in a second visit. Indirect fillings are used when the decay has weakened the tooth so much that it can no longer support a direct filling.

Dental crowns are recommended when teeth have been severely damaged. Dentists use crowns to restore teeth with large amounts of decay or large cracks. Dental crowns are fabricated and placed around the tooth. Dental crowns restore the function of teeth.

Root canal therapy

Patients can undergo root canal therapy at the general dentist. A root canal is recommended when the tooth’s pulp is damaged or infected. Dentists clean out the pulp and replace it with a rubber-like material. Dentists might have to strengthen the tooth with a dental crown.

Gum disease treatment

Gum disease can lead to bone and tooth loss. Patients with gum disease require treatment to prevent the disease from progressing. General dentists look for signs of gum disease and provide treatment when necessary. Scaling and root planing is a common treatment for early-stage gum disease. Dentists remove the plaque and tartar below the gumline. Then, dentists smooth the roots so that the teeth reattach to the gums.

Dental sealants

Dentists provide dental sealants to prevent tooth decay. Teeth have deep grooves on the biting surfaces. Food gets stuck in the grooves, causing decay. Dental sealants consist of a clear resin material. Dentists place the sealants directly on the biting surface of teeth. Sealants prevent food from gathering in the grooves and make teeth easier to clean.

Visiting the general dentist

Your general/family dentist offers various procedures to help you maintain a healthy smile. Common procedures include diagnostics, fillings, crowns and root canal therapy. You can also undergo treatment for gum disease and get dental sealants at the general dentist. These treatments will protect your teeth and gums.

Request an appointment here: https://whiteflintfamilydental.com or call White Flint Family Dental at (301) 273-1085 for an appointment in our Rockville office.

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