What is General Dentistry-

GENERAL DENTISTRY

• Root canal, Fillings
• Crowns & Bridges, Dentures
• Dental Implants
• Gum care, Teeth Cleaning, and whitening
• Aligners & aligners

Services offered by general dentists which are fundamental to your oral health include:

Routine Examination-

A routine examination is at the center of creating your personal dental plan. It allows us to clearly define what treatment is necessary for your continued oral health. Sometimes referred to as a “dental check-up”, a routine examination will provide a thorough inspection of the tissues of your head and neck, jaw joints, mouth, teeth, and gums. Identifying any underlying oral health problems such as disease, tooth decay, and cancer.

A routine examination can spot early signs of any irregularities and treat them before they progress further. This is extremely important as many oral health issues are “silent” and go unnoticed.

Most routine examinations will not only involve physically looking at your mouth but will also take pictures using X-rays to further evaluate your oral health. This is to check how your teeth line up when you bite, check for cavities, check the positioning of all your teeth and jaw, and check for any abnormalities including bone loss. X-rays will provide a more in-depth look at your situation.

It is important to note, that a routine examination will not only prevent oral health complications but will also improve your overall oral health.

Restorative Treatment-

Restorative treatment is the term given to treatment that aims to restore broken or damaged teeth to a healthier and more functional state, bringing back your smile and preventing further oral health complications.

In the case of missing teeth and severe damage, you may be referred for specialist treatment. However, for smaller repairs and minor cosmetic concerns, your general dentist will be able to provide the treatment needed. Common restorative treatments include;

       -Fillings

Fillings are used to treat tooth cavities and caries, which are holes in the teeth. Cavitated teeth are prone to a build-up of bacteria and if not addressed early, further complications such as infection and tooth loss could arise. Many cavities will go unnoticed and show no symptoms until they become much larger. We will be able to spot early signs of cavities and treat them before they become problematic.

In most cases, a cavity can be treated and restored the same day. Receiving a filling is a routine and painless procedure which usually takes around half an hour.

 Root canal treatment

When a tooth is badly infected at its centre, a procedure known as root canal treatment (Endodontic treatment) may be performed to remove the infection and restore the tooth. This can be performed by us and is a painless procedure.

Although symptoms of an infected tooth will appear, X-rays are the only way to determine if the infection is at the center of the tooth and has affected the soft tissue known as the pulp. When the pulp is infected it cannot heal on its own and delaying treatment could result in the tooth dying. Resulting in a complete loss.

        a) Crowns

When you have a tooth that is extensively damaged or at high risk of fracture, a traditional filling might not be sufficient to support it in long term. In these situations, we might suggest a dental crown to restore the affected tooth. Where a filling will fill a hole in the tooth, a crown is designed to cover the damaged tooth, protecting it from further decay and damage.

Crowns are also regularly used to treat chipped teeth and restore the tooth after root canal treatment. If a crown is recommended, we will prepare the tooth for the crown to be made by a dental laboratory.

      b) Tooth extraction

When a tooth needs to be removed fully from the mouth, we can carry this out quickly in a painless session. Although an extremely common procedure, many dentists will only remove a tooth when absolutely necessary. This is because a missing tooth can lead to further problems later in life. Such as the teeth shifting out of place.

The tooth will then be replaced with a dental prosthesis such as an implant, bridge, or crown. You may be referred to someone with special interest to have this completed, such as an implantologist.

Preventive Treatment-

Preventive treatment is there to help you look after your oral health and prevent diseases before they arise or become too problematic. Tooth loss is more often than not caused by decay and gum disease, which can be prevented with the right treatment. Services include routine examinations and hygiene therapy treatment as well as professional cleaning and polishing.

You will be shown better brushing techniques, advice on a more suitable toothbrush, and how to floss correctly to remove plaque yourself which will enable you to maintain your oral health at a good level and hopefully reduce the need to visit the dentist more regular intervals.

Preventive treatment is only successful when the patient works effectively alongside their general dentist.

Cosmetic Treatments-

We offer cosmetic treatments to improve the aesthetics of your smile. Cosmetic tooth restorations such as bonding, veneers, and crowns can be performed by us and can give you a smile you are confident sharing with the world.

How often should I visit a general Dentist?

A general rule of thumb is at least twice a year or every 6 months. However, this is not the case for everyone. During your routine examination, we will tell you how often they would like to see depending on your individual circumstances. It is always important to see a dentist if you have a damaged tooth or persistent pain.

Services we offer in general dentistry are –

Many general dentists use a combination of specialized care, including oral surgery, restorative services, and basic dental care treatments. Common general dentistry treatments include:

• Dental exams and teeth cleanings
• X-rays
• Cavity fillings
• Preventive care, periodontal therapy, and nutritional counseling
• Root canal treatment
• Gingivitis treatment
• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) treatment
• Oral cancer screenings
• Dental sealants
• Fluoride treatment
• Cosmetic dentistry procedures (including teeth whitening)
• Minor oral surgeries, such as wisdom tooth removal and tooth extractions.

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