General dentistry is the term we use for the most common dental procedures that we do for patients. Most of these treatments have to do with removing tooth decay & repairing the damage it has done to your smile.
General Dentistry includes procedures that most people have heard of, even if they haven’t had them done, such as crowns (caps), fillings, & root canal therapy. General dental care is also used to repair minor tooth damage due to accidents, such as chipping a tooth while eating. Addressing bad breath is also part of general dentistry!
General Services & Treatments:
Bridges
As much as we try to take care of our dental health, tooth loss happens. Dentists have mastered the art of replacing lost teeth & their toolkits are full of solutions to fit your specific needs.
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Crowns
Severe tooth decay can sometimes destroy a tooth to the point where a filling cannot keep it intact. Left untreated, these teeth can break down even further. In these cases, dentists rely on dental crowns to protect what’s left of the tooth.
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Dentures
Replacing missing teeth with dentures is important for maintaining the aesthetics of your face. Without the structure of the teeth as support, your cheeks & jaw may start to sag, leading to a more aged appearance.
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Fillings
A dental filling is a dental material that is used to repair the look & function of a tooth that has been damaged by tooth decay. Fillings are used to fill cavities, or small holes, caused by bacterial acids that have eaten through your tooth.
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Fluoride Treatments
There are numerous factors that lead to tooth decay, otherwise known as cavities, & there are many ways to prevent it. Tooth decay can be a significant problem for children as well as adults.
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Inlays & Onlays
Porcelain inlays & onlays are an excellent & conservative solution to cavity pain, reduced chewing strength & general degeneration of the back teeth.
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Nightguards
Bruxism is linked to stress, anxiety, abnormal bites & missing teeth, but the exact causes of it are not well understood. There is emerging evidence that it may also be linked to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, but until there is more conclusive evidence, our best option is to prevent as much of the damage & side-effects of bruxism as we can.
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Sealants
Sealants are highly effective in preventing tooth decay on the biting surfaces of chewing teeth. These surfaces have natural pits & grooves, which can become filled with food particles & bacteria that can be difficult to remove with a toothbrush.
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Sports Mouthguards
Sports mouthguards, also called sportsguards, are an absolutely essential piece of sports safety equipment. Unfortunately, despite the fact that thousands lose or injure teeth every year while participating in sports, sportsguards are often overlooked or underutilized by athletes.
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Teeth Cleanings
Having your teeth professionally cleaned is about more than a bright & shiny smile. Getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist on a regular basis may be the most important way we help you prevent oral health problems.
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Comfortable, Personalized & Affordable
Because these treatments are so common, many dental insurance plans cover a large part of the cost. That’s why you will see them listed near the top of the list of benefits on your insurance plan. If you have insurance, having general dentistry procedures covered by your insurer can be reassuring & helps motivate you to get the care you need. Insurance companies also know that if you don’t solve a dental problem early on it will only get more expensive later.
General Dentistry Often Overlaps Other Categories of Dentistry
While our general dental services don’t necessarily include cosmetic or restorative treatments, many times general dentistry treatments get bundled up with cosmetic or restorative care treatment plans. For example, if you’re getting a full smile makeover, we may change the position of your teeth with aligners & make their shape more uniform using bonding. Nobody has the same dental situation or dental care goals. That’s why many general dentistry treatments seem to overlap with other categories of dentistry.
All dentists get training in general dentistry when they’re in dental school, even if they move on to specialize in a certain area of dentistry later on (such as cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics). Depending on where you live or the certifications they have earned, some dental hygienists can perform certain parts of a general dental procedure (helping to size crowns, for example).
Connection Between Your Oral Health & Overall Health
There is a big connection between your oral health & your overall health. General dentistry can address some situations that may be linked to other health conditions. For example, dentists can assess problems with your jaw joint (TMD) or even spot signs of sleep apnea or potential causes for migraines. So don’t be surprised if we ask you about more than just your teeth & gums!
General Dentistry Includes Non-Invasive Actions
General dentistry also includes the non-invasive actions our dental team will take in the effort the keep you healthy & comfortable. Many diagnostic scans or examinations, such as those that look at your bite & how your teeth fit together (called occlusion by dentists) would be considered general dentistry. Local anesthesia & light sedation are also common & apply to so many different dental care situations that they fall under this category.
Preventing Dental Problems
Preventive dentistry is the area of dentistry concerned with preventing dental problems before they become costly, painful or both. A large part of preventive dentistry is patient education. This includes learning the proper at-home dental care, nutrition, etc. Another aspect of preventive dentistry is oral hygiene through regular dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, mouthguards & more.
