A general dentist provides care for the teeth and gums. This involves performing examinations, recommending treatment options, and educating patients about how to keep their smiles healthy.
A specialist may be a general dentist who specializes in a particular area of dentistry such as cosmetic procedures or implant placement. This is typically done through extra training.
Dental Exams
General dentistry is the field of dentistry that deals with a wide range of treatments and procedures. It includes preventative and final services such as fillings, crowns veneers, crowns, bridges, and dental exams. It also includes services like oral cancer screenings and gum disease screenings.
Most general dentists have extensive training before they can practice. This requires at least three years of undergraduate education and four years of dental school.
A general dentist can treat most dental problems. However, they may refer patients to specialists for more specialized treatment, such as removing or replacing teeth with prosthesis (implant/bridge or crown). Specialty dentists are those who have completed additional post-graduate training in a specific area and specialize in performing these procedures.
Your dentist will examine your current dental coverage as well as your home oral hygiene routine during your dental exam. This will help determine if any problems need to be addressed. They will then thoroughly clean your teeth and search for any warning signs that allude to larger problems — some of which could worsen if they are left untreated.
Your dentist will also use an electronic cavity sensor or manual instrument to look for areas of weak tooth enamel that might lead to cavities. If this is the case they may recommend fluoride treatment to strengthen the enamel and reduce the likelihood of developing cavities in the future.
The dentist will then discuss any issues that have been discovered and develop a treatment plan to address these. You will be able to ask questions and offer suggestions about the type of care that you would like. This can help ensure you get the best dental care possible.
Fillings
As the name suggests, a general dentist is trained to handle a variety of dental issues and procedures. This includes restoring decayed teeth, placing crowns or bridges, fitting dentures and performing oral surgery like wisdom tooth extractions.
A general dentist is most commonly responsible for filling a cavity. A general dentist can also repair a chipped or cracked tooth.
There are two types of fillings: indirect and direct. Your dentist will be able to recommend the best choice for you. Indirect fillings are usually made outside of the mouth using impressions taken from your teeth. It takes two visits to complete the procedure, one to remove decay and another to shape and place the material.
Indirect restorations are much less invasive and last a longer time. They can be made from materials such as composite resins and are matched to your tooth color. They are an option for smaller cavities. They can be made to match the contour of your teeth, giving them natural appearance.
The area will be cleaned by your general dentist to remove any decay or debris. Then he will fill the hole with either a metal or resin filling, depending on the type of tooth that needs to be repaired and the amount of damage.
General dentists are able to diagnose a wide range of dental issues and offer treatments that will help keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime. They can also diagnose other health issues and refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Root Canals
Root canal therapy may be recommended by your dentist if you have a tooth that is infected. This treatment is one of most common ways to relieve pain and remove infection.
A root canal is a procedure that removes the infected pulp inside a tooth and cleans out the damaged nerve tissue. This allows your tooth to heal and reattach itself to your jaw bone.
Most general dentists perform root canals on their own, but they can refer you to a specialist for more complicated cases. Typically, a specialist will be more experienced, have access to the latest technology and have better pain management skills than a general dentist.
The procedure is typically performed in a dental clinic where a technician will numb any affected areas. After the numbing has been applied to the area, the endodontist will open the chamber to expose the nerves of the tooth.
After this is completed, the dentist will clean and fill the canals with a special material that allows your tooth to heal. Once the tooth has fully healed, you can resume your regular oral hygiene routine.
Many patients report that root canals do not cause pain. Some people may experience mild sensitivity. However, this is normal and will subside within a few days.
Your dentist may also recommend pain medication to make you feel more comfortable while the numbness subsides. Your dentist will also be able to show you how best to care for your newly treated tooth.
Root canals are a common and safe procedure. It is important to be informed about your options and choose the best professional for your needs.
Extractions
General dentists are professionals who offer a wide variety of dental care. Their practice includes preventive and restorative services such as x-rays, teeth cleanings, cavity fillings and sealants. In addition, they can also diagnose and treat serious oral conditions like gum disease and oral cancer.
The American Dental Association (ADA), recommends that everyone see a dentist at least once a year to maintain good oral health. Because many dental diseases start silently and don’t show symptoms, it can be difficult to recognize them before they cause damage.
A tooth that is infected, broken, or causing problems to your bite might need extraction. This is a straightforward procedure that takes a few hours off work or school, and is relatively simple to recover from.
To be able to extract a tooth, the dentist must remove some of the soft tissue and bone surrounding it. This is called a root canal.
Your dentist will apply local anesthetic to the area and use special tools to extract the tooth from the socket. After the tooth is removed, a blood clot will form on the socket to help with healing.
The process of removing the gums can cause discomfort and bruising. Your doctor will provide you with instructions on how to heal. You should also avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours after the procedure to ensure that your gums have plenty of time to heal.
General dentists undergo continuing education to stay on top of the latest developments in dentistry and to provide patients with the best possible care. Many have been awarded the Academy of General Dentistry Fellowship Award. This professional designation is given to less than 10% of general dentists who have completed at least 500 hours of continuing education and passed a 400-question exam.
Dentures
Dentures are an effective way to replace missing teeth. They restore a smile and help patients look younger.
They can also improve speech and make it easier for you to chew your food. If dentures aren’t fitted properly, they can cause problems.
Dentures can be fitted by general dentists. The process involves taking measurements of the patient’s jaw and creating a model which the dentist can use to make a set.
The dentist will then return to the office to adjust the model until it fits perfectly. The whole process should take three to four appointments.
The time required to extract teeth can be extended if the patient has to have them removed. The time required for the procedure will vary depending on how many teeth are needed to be removed and how quickly the gums heal.
After the patient has recovered from tooth removal, the dentist can begin the process of fitting the dentures. The dentures may be either conventional, meaning that they are made after all the remaining teeth have been removed and tissues have healed. Or, they can be immediate, meaning that the dentures were made before the teeth are extracted.
Conventional dentures are usually made using plastic materials that are molded after the dental impressions have been taken. The plastic material is then heated to cure. This results in a denture that is stronger, more natural-looking, and more durable than a temporary cold-cured one.
Digital dentures can be more efficient in fitting and adjusting dentures. It may only take two to three appointments. This makes the process easier for both dentist and patient.