Routine dental appointments go a long way in keeping us healthy and smiling. While most dental appointments involve examining your oral health and providing oral hygiene instructions, sometimes dentists have to perform various procedures to restore optimal oral health and treat dental issues. It is therefore important to have an idea about various commonly performed dental procedures so that you can make an informed decision about your treatment, in consultation with your dentist.
This blog provides an overview of the commonly performed dental procedures, so that the next time your dentist mentions a dental procedure, you’re familiar with it and take an active part in your treatment planning process.
Commonly Performed Dental Procedures
Teeth Cleaning
This is a preventive procedure in which your dentist will remove the plaque and tartar deposits from your teeth, which are one of the causative factors of gum disease. Plaque and tartar removal helps eliminate harmful bacteria that release toxins and cause gum inflammation. Your dentist will use an ultrasonic scaler, whose tip vibrates at a high frequency to remove adherent tooth deposits. Once all the teeth have been cleaned, your dentist will polish them to prevent re-infection in the future.
Dental X-rays
Dentists routinely use X-ray images of the teeth and other oral structures to detect underlying issues that are not visible to the naked eye. For example, dental cavities can be detected on X-rays well before they become apparent visually. Similarly, different types of dental issues, such as infections or cysts can be detected on dental X-rays.
Dental Bonding
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, bonding is a procedure in which your dentist will apply a tooth-colored filling material over damaged teeth to restore their aesthetics and structure. The term bonding is used because this filling material bonds directly to the tooth structure. Dental bonding is one of the most commonly performed dental procedures worldwide. The US National Institutes of Health estimates that over 122 million bonding procedures are performed in the US annually.
Dental Sealants
According to the American Dental Association, dental sealants are thin coatings applied to the biting surfaces of the teeth to prevent tooth decay caused by food impaction. The biting surfaces of our back teeth have very deep pits and fissures that promote food impaction and are difficult to clean. Dentists apply sealants on such teeth to minimize the risk of tooth decay.
Root Canal Treatment
A root canal treatment is a procedure in which your dentists will remove the infected pulp from the interior of the tooth. Simply, root canal treatment is performed to treat an infection within the interior of the tooth. In this procedure, your dentist will remove the inflamed pulp tissue,. Then clean and disinfect the tooth’s interior, and place an inert material inside it to prevent infection in the future.
Dental Crowns
A crown is a cap-shaped structure placed on the visible surfaces of the tooth to reinforce them and restore their esthetics. First, your dentist will remove a thin layer of tooth surface to create room for bonding the crown. Next, they will make impressions of your teeth and send them to the laboratory. Finally, the prepared crowns will be bonded to the prepared teeth using adhesive. Dental crowns are made of tooth-colored resins or ceramics.
Dental Bridges
A tooth bridge is a prosthesis used for replacing one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of supporting teeth or the pontics that rest over the prepared supporting teeth. The missing tooth gap is filled by attaching a crown to the pontics. In this way, if there are two missing teeth, your dentist will replace them with a four-unit bridge comprising two pontics (on either side) and two crowns for tooth replacement. Dental bridge procedure is similar to dental crown preparation.
Dental Implants
An implant is a screw-shaped fixture inserted into the jawbone to replace missing natural teeth. An implant serves as an artificial tooth root. Once placed inside the jawbone, it promotes bone formation around it and becomes firmly anchored. This way, it provides a solid foundation for any prosthesis to be attached to it for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants can be used for replacing a single, multiple, or all missing teeth in a jaw.
If you wish to know more about dental procedures such as how long does a dental implant procedure take. How safe is dental bonding, you can ask your family dentist or dental hygienist. If you are looking for the best dentist in town, your best option is Tamborello Dental Associates. We offer high-quality dental services at affordable rates and in a calm, relaxing environment. So, book an appointment today and let us take your first step towards a healthy and lasting smile.
Here at Tamborello Dental Associates in Houston, TX, we are passionate about exceptional dental work. Our years of experience ensure that each patient receives the best care that is customized to their unique needs and desires!
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