What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry, also known as conservative or restorative dentistry, encompasses a wide range of therapeutic and preventative measures aimed at preventing and treating dental diseases, particularly tooth decay. Regular visits to a general dentist help maintain healthy and well-maintained teeth, which significantly contributes to the overall health of the oral cavity.
What does General Dentistry involve?
General dentistry focuses on both the prevention and treatment of tooth decay. Regular check-ups and preventative treatments help prevent the onset of cavities, thus avoiding painful and costly treatments in the future.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments
White fillings
White fillings are made from a composite resin material that is designed to mimic the natural color and translucency of tooth enamel.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a damaged, decayed, or unsightly tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is a custom-made dental prosthesis designed to replace one or more missing teeth by literally “bridging” the gap between two adjacent teeth.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are types of indirect restorations, meaning they are custom-made outside of your mouth, typically in a dental laboratory, and then bonded to your tooth.
Extractions
Tooth extractions are typically recommended when a tooth is damaged beyond repair or when keeping the tooth could lead to further complications.
Most Popular Preventative Treatments in General Dentistry
Oral and Dental Examinations
Regular check-ups are the cornerstone of oral health. During a visit, the dentist thoroughly examines the condition of your teeth and gums, which helps to detect issues like cavities and gum diseases early on. Early detection allows for prompt intervention, preventing the development of more serious conditions.
Removal of Plaque and Tartar
Even with regular brushing and flossing, plaque can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas. If not removed, it hardens into tartar, which can cause gum disease. Professional cleaning by a dentist effectively removes plaque and tartar, preventing inflammation and decay.
Why Regular Visits to the Dentist Are Important
Regular visits to a general dentist are essential for maintaining oral health. Even with excellent home dental hygiene, professional evaluation and preventative treatments are irreplaceable. Early detection of issues allows for quick and less invasive treatment.
Tooth Decay Treatment
– What Does It Really Involve?
Contrary to popular belief, cavities do not appear overnight. In reality, it is a long-term process that can be prevented with regular dental check-ups. Tooth decay is mainly caused by bacteria that accumulate on dental plaque. Poor oral hygiene, improper tooth structure, and excessive consumption of sweets and fizzy drinks significantly contribute to its development. Untreated, it usually leads to the softening of enamel, the formation of unsightly cavities, tooth damage, or partial or complete crown fractures. Early-stage tooth decay presents as small spots on the teeth. At this stage, the dentist performs simple procedures such as cleaning the teeth from plaque and tartar and applying specialised fluoride varnish or gel to prevent further disease progression. However, if decay penetrates the enamel and creates a cavity, drilling and filling are necessary. In the final stage, decay reaches the tooth pulp, damaging it from the inside. In this case, root canal treatment or tooth extraction is required.
Possible Treatment Methods in Conservative Dentistry
The goal of conservative dentistry is to effectively fill the empty spaces that disrupt the proper alignment of teeth. The most commonly used methods include fillings, which are primarily made of porcelain, gold, silver amalgam, synthetic materials, or composite resins resembling the natural colour of teeth. Considering modern treatment methods, dentists increasingly use composite fillings, making the restored tooth look almost identical to the natural one. A wide range of different colours allows for selecting the appropriate shade of filling, making it indistinguishable from the real teeth.
For patients with more serious cavities, crowns are commonly used. Crowns are tooth-shaped caps placed directly over the tooth’s remnants. They help to strengthen and effectively protect the remaining tooth structures. The specialist must prepare a mould of the damaged tooth, from which an identical crown is created in the laboratory.
Another method used is bridges. At both ends of the bridge, the dentist places a crown, allowing for the anchoring of the tooth located exactly between the crowns. This treatment method effectively prevents teeth from shifting, and the bridge colour matches the rest of the teeth.
Dental implants help replace missing or extracted teeth. They consist of two parts – an artificial tooth and a metal post. The procedure involves placing the metal post directly into the jawbone or the upper jaw bone. The dentist then attaches the implant. The artificial tooth functions identically to its natural counterpart.
Other Treatments in Conservative Dentistry
Besides the mentioned preventive and cavity treatments, conservative dentistry also includes other procedures aimed at improving the condition of the teeth and the oral cavity. These include temporary fillings, splinting of loose teeth, reconstruction of teeth using light-cured materials, and redoing root canal treatment.
The aesthetics of teeth is essential and significantly impacts our daily comfort. Therefore, it is important to remember regular visits to the dental office and conservative dentistry, which effectively prevent more serious oral infections and dental diseases. Additionally, one should be aware that dental or gum problems can eventually contribute to other body ailments, including heart, kidney, or joint diseases.
A Beautiful and Healthy Smile for Everyone
Maintaining oral hygiene is the foundation of a healthy and beautiful smile. Regular dental visits, preventative care, and cavity treatment are the best ways to avoid more serious health issues that can affect the entire body, including the heart, kidneys, and joints. At Shifnal Dental Care, we offer comprehensive dental care tailored to the individual needs of each patient. We invite you to take advantage of our services and enjoy healthy teeth for years to come!