Dental Services: Dental patients visit their local dentists for a variety of reasons including fast repairs and consultations. Dental professionals perform a variety of services each day to make the patients’ smiles look their best. They also perform general and cosmetic dentistry to address underlying issues and restore the look of each tooth.
Dental professionals can perform surgeries to save teeth such as root canals, and they will complete extractions to remove teeth that are too damaged. When assessing each patient, the dental professionals determine what options are best for the patient to restore their smile and decrease the risk of tooth loss.
Table of Contents
When an Emergency Arises
Dental emergencies are managed during and after business hours. Patients can contact their dental professional when they have an emergency and set up services. Common dental emergencies include but are not limited to broken or dislodged teeth, abscessed or impacted wisdom teeth, a tooth infection, and damage caused by a sudden accident. Infections can become life-threatening and require fast dental services to prevent the infection from spreading to the bloodstream. Patients who need emergency dental work contact their dentist promptly for services.
Annual Exams and Cleaning Services
Patients receive an annual exam and two cleanings each year, and most major dental plans cover the cost of the services. During the examination, the dentist gets x-rays of the teeth to find any underlying issues that could lead to infections, tooth loss, or misalignment of the teeth.
Cleanings are performed by a hygienist, and they remove any debris that was left behind after brushing. Dental professionals recommend getting at least two cleanings each year; however, some patients will need more than two because of existing periodontal disease or sudden gum tissue damage.
Correcting Tooth Damage and Removing Decay
Tooth damage often leads to decay, and patients should see a dental professional as soon as they discover the damage. Even a small cavity can become a major obstacle and lead to tooth loss if the patient doesn’t seek dental services quickly. The procedures used to correct tooth damage include veneers, fillings, and dental bonding. The dental professional will review the damage and determine if the tooth is salvageable. They will also set up an appointment and provide an estimate for these costs.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Patients who are missing teeth need a clear solution that restores their smile and gives them the full function of their teeth. Dental implants and bridges are great solutions for patients who are missing sections or individual teeth. The dental professional reviews the patient’s surrounding teeth and determines what choices are most effective.
Bridges are either installed permanently or may be removable. If they are installed permanently, the dentist will install a crown at each side of the bridge and bond it to the gumline to keep it in place.
Dental implants are installed individually or via a plate. Individual implants are installed with one titanium root and an abutment. The roots are installed into the gums via the tooth socket. Next, the implant crown is installed and connected to the root. The implants look and perform like natural teeth, and they will not slip out of the mouth like dentures.
Total Tooth Replacement
When the patient loses all their teeth, they need a better choice for replacing those teeth and restoring their smile. Dentures are a great way to replace missing teeth and restore the smile. The dental professional will create a mold of the patient’s gums for a proper fit.
They must wait until after their gums shrink if the patient has undergone full-mouth extractions. The dentures are created to look like the patient’s natural teeth whenever possible. Dental professionals explain techniques and steps for taking care of the dentures.
Treatment for Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a severe and permanent gum disease that leads to complete tooth loss. Pockets form around the gum line as the gums recede and sag. Bacteria and particles collect in the pockets and present a risk for an infection.
The dentist must complete complex cleaning techniques to remove dead gum tissue and keep the pockets cleared. There is no cure for the gum disease, and the patient is given treatments to slow the rate at which the disease spreads.
Getting the Right Dentures
Dentures are a great tooth replacement option, but some patients may face difficulties getting the right fit. It is important for the patients to report any issues with their dentures to their dental professional quickly to get replacement dentures as needed.
The dentures are not built to last throughout the patient’s entire life, and patients will need a new set after roughly 10 years. If the dentures are damaged, patients can contact their dental professional and get repairs as needed.
Complete Smile Makeovers
A complete smile makeover consists of several dental procedures at once to make the smile look perfect. Some dental professionals will complete the procedures all at once and restore any damage. X-rays are required for multiple procedures to address underlying problems.
The patient could get fillings, crowns, dental implants, or even whitening services to correct the way their teeth look. The smile makeovers are performed on a case-by-case basis, and the dental professionals provide estimates for the costs including how much dental insurance will pay. Typically, the procedures are scheduled for the same day to get all processes completed quickly. This could mean that the appointment will last several hours.
Dental patients undergo an array of services to protect their teeth and gums. The procedures prevent the patients from experiencing pain and facing the risk of periodontal disease. Dental professionals perform general services to assess the teeth and gums, and hygienists perform cleanings to remove debris and prevent decay.
Cosmetic dental procedures are performed to improve the way the teeth look. They include veneers, dental implants, and teeth whitening services. The dental professionals complete these services to give the patients more advantages and better-looking teeth. Studies show that patients with healthy smiles get more job offers and are more likely to excel in life. Dental professionals can restore the patient’s confidence and give them a whole new lease on life.
