General dentistry encompasses all dental treatments and procedures designed to enhance the functionality and appearance of the teeth. A general dentist is a dental practitioner qualified to conduct routine consultations and offer restorative and cosmetic treatments.
Beach Dental Care Anaheim specializes in different forms of general dental treatments. Our highly qualified staff has previously treated many individuals with oral problems and offered comprehensive treatments for their conditions. Our outstanding services and cutting-edge technologies make our clinic a leading dental service provider in Anaheim, CA.
What Does General Dentistry Entail?
General dentistry comprises many treatment solutions and procedures essential to maintaining and safeguarding oral health. These procedures are in place to maintain the health of teeth, gums, and mouth while making sure they are pain-free.
The following are general dentistry services that are essential to your dental health:
Routine Evaluations
A routine evaluation is at the heart of developing your personalized dental regimen. It enables your general dental practitioner to identify precisely what treatments you need to maintain your dental health.
A routine evaluation, often known as an "oral check-up," will offer you a complete evaluation of your mouth, teeth, gums, jaw joints, and the head and neck tissues. This helps to detect any inherent oral health issues such as illness, cancer, and tooth decay. A routine exam can also identify anomalies in their earliest stages and address them before they worsen.
A general dentist will often conduct a physical exam of your mouth as part of routine exams, but they will also use X-rays to capture images of your mouth and assess your dental health in more detail.
This is done to look for cavities, check for misaligned teeth or jaws, loss of bone, and how the teeth fall in line whenever you bite. X-rays will provide you with a more comprehensive view of your oral state.
It's crucial to remember that a regular exam won't stop problems with dental health. It evaluates your condition to develop a strategy to prevent problems and enhance your general dental wellness.
Restorative Treatment
The phrase "restorative treatment" refers to dental care that seeks to restore damaged or broken teeth to a healthy and more operational state to restore your smile and safeguard against subsequent oral health issues.
Your dentist could refer you to a specialist if you have missing teeth or extensive damage. However, the general dentist could provide the necessary care for more minor fixes and unimportant cosmetic issues. Standard restorative procedures include the following;
Fillings
Caries and cavities, which result in holes in your teeth, are treated with fillings. Teeth are susceptible to bacterial accumulation, and if they aren't treated promptly, severe issues could occur. A general dentist can identify early indicators of cavities and address them before they cause problems.
Most of the time, your general dentist can treat and fill a cavity the same day they find it. A filling procedure is a painless treatment that typically takes 30 minutes.
Root-Canal Therapy
Whenever a tooth's pulp is seriously infected, an endodontic operation called a root canal could treat the infection and protect the tooth. It is a painless treatment that a general dentist can perform. Even though infected teeth will show signs of illness, only X-rays can show whether the infection has spread to the tooth's pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth.
When the pulp becomes infected, it can't heal by itself, and if treatment is delayed, the tooth could die, resulting in complete loss of the tooth.
Crowns
If a tooth is severely injured or at a high risk of breaking, a standard filling may not retain it for long. In these circumstances, a general dentist could advise using a dental crown to repair the damaged tooth.
Unlike a filling that covers a hole inside the tooth, crowns are made to cover damaged teeth and guard them against future deterioration and injury.
Additionally, crowns are frequently utilized to repair damaged teeth and rebuild the tooth following root canal therapy. When a crown has been recommended, your family dentist should prep the tooth so that a dental lab can create it.
Tooth Extraction
A general dentist can quickly remove teeth from your mouth whenever necessary. Most dentists only perform tooth extraction when it's required. This is because tooth loss can result in further issues.
Afterward, an oral prosthesis, like a bridge, crown, or implant, will replace the missing tooth. Your dentist could send you to a specialist, like an Implantologist, to perform this procedure.
Inlays and Onlays
Cavities could sometimes be too large for fillings. For such cases, your dentist could advise you to get inlays or onlays. These specialized restorations fit into the natural dentition. Your dentist will permanently bond them in place.
Onlays and inlays share similar characteristics. An inlay occupies the space between your teeth's cusps, while an onlay fills a cusp.
Bridges
Dental bridges can repair a row of or one missing tooth. Dental bridges can fill the gaps left by one or more missing teeth with one or more artificial teeth. Dental bridges are often comprised of crowns cemented in position on both sides of the missing teeth anchoring the false tooth.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are small threaded posts that replace the roots of lost teeth. When your dentist places a crown on the implant, it will function like a natural tooth.
Dental implants can be fixed by your dentist using bridges, crowns, or dentures. Unlike standard bridges and crowns, implants do not require any changes to your natural teeth. Implants are regarded as the gold standard for tooth replacement.
Dentures
Another conventional method of replacing teeth is dentures. Complete dentures restore a whole arch of lost teeth in the mouth. Partial dentures are used to replace multiple lost teeth in multiple parts. Dentures are supported by the jawbone beneath and sit at the top of the gums.
You could choose implants supported by dentures. These devices look like conventional dentures but adhere to dental implants rather than using the gums as support. This provides a lot more stability than traditional dentures.
What Are the Benefits of Restorative Dental Procedures?
Restorative dentistry provides numerous benefits to patients across all age groups. For instance, it could:
- Restore your dental health.
- Enhance the ability to chew.
- Assist in reducing dental pain.
- Lessen the likelihood of future dental problems
- Enhance the look of your smile.
Preventive Treatments
Preventive dental treatment is the best approach to protect and preserve your dental health. It relates to the procedures of taking good care of the gums and teeth by maintaining good hygiene and having routine checkups. Preventive dental care should start in childhood and continue throughout adulthood. It is important to remember that there is always time to begin and gain the benefits of preventive oral care.
Preventive treatment can be practiced at home and with a dentist's assistance. There are routines you can perform at home with no need to seek the assistance of a dentist. A general dentist carries out professional preventative dental care treatments, such as regular examinations and professional cleaning.
Preventive Dentistry Services
Preventive dentistry, as the name implies, includes all treatments and procedures that lower your chance of developing more serious oral health issues. Preventive dentistry encompasses the following procedures:
X-Rays and Dental Examinations
Dental checkups provide a thorough assessment of your dental health. Your dentist will carefully inspect your teeth for indications of rot, gum disease, or oral cancer. They'll also utilize digital x-rays to look for problems such as tumors and abscesses.. X-rays reveal issues that could be undetected during a physical examination.
Tooth Cleanings
These are professional cleanings performed by a dentist a minimum of two times annually. If you have gum disease, root planing and scaling should be done to eliminate bacteria, minimize pockets, and encourage healing.
Sealants and Fluoride
Sealants are unique coatings your dentist administers to the teeth to safeguard them from cavities. They function by creating a boundary between the bacteria on the teeth and their enamel, and they also stop food from getting stuck in the crevices of the teeth. Fluoride uses minerals to reinforce your enamel, lowering your likelihood of decay or sensitivity.
Dental Health Education
You can only adequately care for the teeth if you have the necessary information. Your dentist offers guidance on the most effective practices and tools to preserve your dental health as part of preventative dentistry.
Mouthguard
Mouth guards are great for you if you participate in high-contact sports or perform activities such as hiking that put you at risk for falling and injuries. They are worn over the teeth to shield them from trauma caused by accidents.
Preventing oral health issues is significantly more manageable and less expensive than trying to treat them.
Benefits of Preventive Treatments
The following are some of the advantages of prevention:
- Prevents systemic conditions linked to poor dental health, such as gingivitis, oral decay, and other dental health issues
- Encourages good oral hygiene routines such as tooth flossing and brushing
- Allows for the early detection of oral health issues through routine examinations
- It saves you money and time that you'd have spent on more comprehensive procedures
Cosmetic Procedures
A cosmetic dental practice is the discipline of dental care focused on enhancing your smile's aesthetics. Most general dental practitioners can provide cosmetic procedures to enhance the appearance of your smile. The following conditions may necessitate cosmetic dentistry:
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Tiny spaces or gaps between the teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Dental stains and discoloration
Cosmetic Dentistry Examples
Cosmetic dental procedures are designed to improve the smile's balance, symmetry, and aesthetics.
Teeth Whitening
Dark-colored beverages and foods (including coffee, wine, and berries) could cause tooth stains over time. Expert teeth whitening may enhance your smile and significantly and securely lighten the color of the teeth.
A lot of dentists provide both at-home and in-office teeth whitening services. The duration of in-office dental whitening takes approximately one hour, while at-home treatments generally take a few weeks to complete.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are light, durable covers that attach to the anterior surfaces of the teeth. They are composed of medical-grade ceramic. Veneers, like dental bonding, can hide some cosmetic problems, such as chipping, cracks, and yellowing.
Veneers come in a variety of styles, including conventional and minimal preparation. Because all veneers need some extraction of existing enamel, they can be reversed based on the form you pick. Porcelain veneers typically need to be replaced every ten years.
Dental Bonding
This procedure entails using composite resin that resembles the color of your natural teeth. The dentist uses this substance to cover fractures, hairline cracks, and yellowing, among other cosmetic flaws. Dental bonding can alter a tooth's form, making it wider, longer, or more regular.
You should replace your dental bonding every 5 to 7 years. It is fully reversible because it doesn't necessitate removing the original tooth enamel.
Tooth Contouring
Small portions of enamel are removed during this process to alter the contour of the teeth. There's a maximum amount of tooth structure a dentist can extract since you only possess a limited amount of natural enamel. Tooth contouring can be done in one office visit.
Gum Contouring
Sometimes people have extra gum tissue from birth. When this occurs, your smile may seem "gummy" or out of proportion. Gum contouring involves your dentist removing extra gum tissue and reshaping the gum line to give it a more proportional, even appearance.
Can Restorative Dental Treatments Also Have Cosmetic Advantages?
The preceding operations are all purely cosmetic. However, restorative dentistry procedures that fix teeth occasionally enhance the smile's look. For instance, if you have a dental crown placed on a fractured tooth, your smile will look better, and your teeth will perform better.
Dental braces work similarly by enhancing your bite and general oral health. However, braces also significantly enhance the appearance of your smile.
What Benefits Can Cosmetic Dentistry Offer?
Cosmetic dental procedures can:
- Improve your smile
- Cover up cracks and chips
- Brighten dull, discolored teeth
- Boost your confidence
- Enhance the form of the teeth
- Make your smile more balanced and symmetrical
What to Expect During a General Dentist Examination
The typical recommendation from a general dentist to their patients is to undergo an examination and cleaning every 6 months. It enables a dentist to monitor their patient's dental health. The examination also allows the dentist to see if any recent oral problems are healing correctly and to look for potential threats to the dental cavity.
A General Dentist's Examination Procedure
A dental session usually begins with examining a patient's dental background and their most recent checkup. Your dentist will inquire about your patient's oral hygiene practice and whether any additional discomfort or pain symptoms have appeared since your last visit. These are often covered during a dental exam session.
Dental Cleaning
This cleaning performed during a checkup allows the general dentist to look for cavities and identify any signs of gum disease. Your teeth will be carefully cleaned and perhaps polished. Most dental exams center mostly on teeth cleaning, except when there is an indication of abnormalities while you are at the appointment.
X-rays
A majority of dental examinations include x-rays. They allow the dentist to see the mouth and teeth in detail, which is typically impossible with a visual inspection. Digital x-rays are routinely used to limit radiation exposure.
Your dentist can better propose the best course of therapy and prevent common dental problems before they get worse by being aware of what is happening below the gums, teeth, and jawbone.
Screening for Oral Cancer
Oral cancer screenings can be done during dental checkups. This entails looking for any mouth cancer indications by thoroughly inspecting your neck, tongue, jaw, cheeks, floor, the roof of the mouth, and inside your lips.
The dentist will look for symptoms such as rough patches, lumps, white or red spots, soreness or inflammation, sores that don't go away or bleed frequently, and problems chewing or swallowing.
This examination is especially critical for individuals who use alcoholic beverages or tobacco products. If oral cancer is not found and addressed on time, it could be fatal, just like any other cancer.
Reviewing the Outcomes
Before the dental examination, your dentist will sit down with you to review the findings or any problems that might call for a follow-up appointment soon. They also can make oral hygiene recommendations to ensure that patients take proper care of their teeth.
The goal is to offer preventive treatment so that the following session goes as smoothly as possible. Your dentist will review the findings and suggest the best course of action, such as when to schedule the next appointment if they find an oral problem like cavities.
Find a General Dentist Near Me
At Beach Dental Care Anaheim, we go the extra mile to give our patients the highest quality dental care. We provide a friendly atmosphere to ensure our patients receive the best services. If you're looking for a general dentist in Anaheim, CA, contact us at 714-995-4000 to schedule an appointment.
