What Are the Different Types of Dental Procedures That Exist Today?
76% of children in the United States have had a dental visit in the past year, compared to the 64% of adults aged 18-64 and 54% of adults aged 65 and older. It is essential to visit a dentist twice a year, but for millions of people, it does not always happen.
If you have avoided visiting the dentist for years, you may be considering what dental procedures you may need. Exploring the different types of dental procedures can help you be more aware and less anxious about what is to come. We’ll discuss a few options in this article, but for an exhaustive list, we recommend you visit this dentist in dallas.
Keep reading below to find out more.
Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the most common dental treatments in the United States. They are used to treat teeth that have decay or cavities. They can also repair teeth that have fractures or cracks.
If you have a toothache, your dentist will automatically check for cavities or tooth decay. They can do so by visually looking or using an x-ray.
If you do indeed have cavities, your dentist will numb your mouth and then use a dental drill to remove any tooth decay found within the inner tooth. They will then use water to wash out the tooth before using a filling to seal it.
You can generally choose between gold, silver, porcelain, or resin fillings, with the aid of your dentist.
Crowns
Dental crowns are a restorative procedure that covers a tooth entirely and are one of the most common forms of cosmetic dentistry that you’ll find at any good dental clinic.
They are used when a tooth becomes worn, broken, or weakened from tooth decay. They can also be used to correct cosmetic imperfections.
A dental crown is the next option when a tooth is no longer strong enough to hold a filling. They can prevent teeth from having to be extracted.
Dental crowns are usually made from metal, porcelain, or both. Generally, porcelain is the preferred option because it has a more natural look and is still extremely strong.
Your dentist will take an impression of your tooth, and then a lab technician will make your crown in a lab. The lab technician will look at all aspects of your jaw and bite while creating the crown so that when it is placed in your mouth, everything will feel and act normal.
Tooth Extractions
There are many different types of tooth extractions and many different reasons why they may be necessary.
If you have an overcrowded mouth as a child, your dentist may need to remove the unnecessary teeth to allow room for the rest to come through.
If you have a tooth that has damage from tooth decay and is too far gone, your dentist will remove it to stop it from causing you pain or getting infected.
If you have a tooth that is stuck in your gums, your local dentist can loosen it from the bone socket and extract it.
Veneers
Veneers are an excellent option for anyone who feels self-conscious about how their teeth look. They are thin, porcelain shells that your dentist will place on the front of the teeth to cover up gaps, stains, chips, or missing teeth.
They look natural and are stain-resistant, so you can finally have that Hollywood smile you always dreamed of.
To prepare, the best dentist will create a unique model of your teeth by making an impression. The model will be sent to a technician who will create your veneers.
Once they are placed on your teeth, no one will be able to tell they aren’t your natural teeth.
Bonding
Bonding is a more conservative way to correct discoloured, crooked, or chipped teeth than getting veneers. It works by having your dentist apply a tooth-coloured filling onto your tooth, which will then bond with your tooth.
It comes in many different shades of white, so your dentist should be able to match your tooth’s colour, creating a natural look.
It can be applied on the back or the front of the tooth depending on where the problem area is, and it is less expensive than other cosmetic treatments.
However, they can break off and stain much more easily than veneers, so if that would occur, ask the dentist if they can repair it. Usually, you can get it fixed in one sitting.
Fluoride
Getting regular fluoride treatments is highly recommended in the dental industry. This is a sticky substance that your dentist will apply to your teeth, generally after your routine dentist appointment.
Fluoride can help strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay, cavities, and plaque from building up on your teeth. You will most likely be asked not to eat or drink anything for thirty minutes after the application.
Depending on your oral health, your dentist may ask you to come back for treatment every three, six, or twelve months.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth were once essential to humans, but they are no longer useful, so they are often removed in your late teens or early twenties.
They can become impacted, meaning they fail to erupt due to the angle at which they are coming in, or if there is not enough room in your mouth.
Your gums may become tender, or you may experience severe pain and swelling.
When this happens, your dentist will suggest wisdom teeth removal. To do so, depending on the severity of your situation, your dentist will use general anesthesia to put you to sleep during the removal, or they will use local anesthesia to numb the area.
Depending on your situation, the healing process could take a few days or a full week.
Explore the Different Types of Dental Procedures
It’s essential to know the different types of dental procedures in case one day you find yourself in need of one. While this list covers the most common ones, there are many more out there, so make sure to continue your research.
If you’d like to read more dental-related articles, browse through our collection of blog posts!