General dentistry involves diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral health conditions. Usually, general dentists are responsible for routine checkups, assessments, restorations, and cleaning of patients' teeth. General dentists create customized dental hygiene plans for patients. The standard procedures that general dentists perform include X-rays, tooth scaling, and teeth cleaning. The crucial part of general dentistry is disease prevention. Routine checkups and diagnostic equipment enable general dentists to detect and treat diseases as early as possible. Sometimes, general dentists refer patients to specialists depending on the dental problem and its complexity. Contact Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry if you need a reliable general dentist to handle your family's dental needs.
Restorative Dental Services
Restorative dentistry encompasses any dental procedure that restores or repairs damaged oral structures. These procedures are usually performed by general dentists, also known as family dentists, and can include dental implants, bridges, and fillings, among other services. Restorative dental services are important for long-term oral health. General dentists can also perform cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening, bonding, and fitting dental veneers.
A Calgary dentist can restore a patient's smile to full function by repairing rotting and damaged teeth, enhancing the patient's ability to eat, chew, and speak. Restorative dental services also provide aesthetic benefits by improving the appearance of a person's smile.
The standard restorative dental services include:
Dentures
Dentures are popularly known for teeth replacement. There are two types of dentures:
- Full dentures
- Partial dentures
Your dentist can recommend complete dentures if you have lost all your teeth. On the other hand, partial dentures are used to replace several missing teeth in different areas. Dentures are generally placed on top of the gums, with the jawbone supporting them. Implant-supported dentures provide a more stable option, while traditional dentures provide a removable solution. Dentures are attached to dental implants, providing increased stability and comfort.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are known to be the gold standard for tooth replacement. They constitute small, threaded posts that replace the missing tooth roots. Your dentist will attach a crown, bridge, or dentures once the implant is in place. This will restore the function and appearance of your teeth.
Implants do not require alteration of your natural teeth, while traditional restorations do. They provide durability, stability, and a natural feel and look. Dental implants also offer permanent solutions to missing teeth, improving oral health and overall well-being.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are used to replace one missing tooth or several missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth with dental crowns on both sides. Before placing dentures, a dentist can shape the patient's natural teeth on both sides of the gap by shaving them down. The dentist will then bond the bridge on the natural teeth.
Dental bridges maintain the alignment of your teeth and restore your ability to chew and speak. They provide aesthetically pleasing and stable solutions for missing teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
You could suffer a painful infection if a cavity or crack reaches the pulp of your tooth. At this point, your dentist could recommend root canal therapy. During this procedure, your dentist will remove the diseased pulp and diseased blood vessels and nerves inside your tooth. After cleaning and disinfecting the inside surfaces, the dentist will fill the canals with a rubbery dental material called gutta-percha. A filling will finally be placed to seal the tooth and prevent further infection.
Most patients who undergo root canal therapy also need a crown to provide extra support and strength. Root canal therapy preserves your natural smile and saves infected teeth from extraction.
Inlays And Onlays
Sometimes, a cavity is too big for a filling but too small for a crown. Inlays and onlays can help in this situation. They are custom restorations that fit into a person's natural tooth structure like puzzle pieces. The dentist bonds them in place permanently.
An inlay fills the area between the cusps of the patient's teeth, while an onlay covers at least one cusp. Inlays and onlays provide a permanent solution for moderate cavities, preserving your tooth's natural structure.
Dental Crowns
Also known as caps, dental crowns restore broken teeth or repair large cavities. A crown covers the whole tooth, providing protection and strength. Your dentist must remove some of your natural tooth enamel before crowning. The dentist will also alter your tooth by shaving down a section of it before putting the crown over it.
Crowns improve the appearance of your smile and restore chewing function. They are the best option for improving damaged teeth' form and function.
Dental Fillings
You can suffer cavities or tooth decay when bacteria eat away at your tooth enamel. Dental fillings are the best option for repairing smaller cavities. Your dentist removes the decayed section of your tooth during this procedure. He/she will then fill the hole with a tooth-colored composite material. This halts the progression of tooth decay and prevents further damage.
Preventive Dental Services
Preventive dentistry constitutes maintaining good oral health by preventing oral health problems. Preventive dental services can save a person from gum disease, tooth decay, and other avoidable oral issues. You could start preventive dentistry techniques as early as possible during childhood and continue throughout the rest of your life. The common types of preventive dental services include:
Serial Extraction
Serial extraction is suitable for people who are developing permanent adult teeth. A dentist can recommend a planned extraction of specific baby teeth in an orderly manner to guide the eruption of adult teeth into their correct positions.
Sealants
A general dentist can recommend dental sealants if a patient is at risk of developing cavities. Dentists mainly recommend sealants for young children. Sealants are typically thin dental restorative coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They help seal the grooves of the teeth to prevent bacteria, plaque, and food particles from being trapped and causing damage to them.
Oral Cancer Screening
Oral cancer screenings are done at each dental evaluation. Your dentist will look for symptoms of precancerous conditions or cancer around your head, inside of your oral cavity, jaws, or neck. Detecting oral cancer on time can enhance the likelihood of more successful treatment.
Flouride Treatments
Fluoride is the best natural mineral to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent decay. Fluoride treatment can sometimes reverse tooth decay if the decay is detected early. Most community water sources contain fluoride. Other sources of fluoride are hygiene products like toothpaste and mouth rinses. Your dentist can also provide fluoride treatment, including fluoride varnishes.
Enameloplasty
Enameloplasty can alter the surface, shape, and size of teeth. This procedure entails removing small quantities of tooth enamel and can be performed for cosmetic or functional purposes. It can also prevent tooth damage and bacteria plaque accumulation in cases of minor crowding or bite issues.
Oral Prophylaxis
Oral prophylaxis is among the popular preventive dental procedures. Professional cleanings are crucial for removing hardened bacterial plaque from teeth. Bacterial plaque usually requires special dental tools and specialist services to remove it.
Routine X-Rays
Routine X-rays are used to examine the condition of your teeth. They can reveal several dental conditions, like bone loss, tooth abscesses, and cavities. Most dental conditions progress fast, so new X-rays are important every year for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Space Maintainers
Dental space maintainers are orthodontic appliances that hold a space open for permanent teeth. They can be suitable for babies who lose their teeth early. They prevent adjacent teeth from moving into space and enable the permanent teeth to erupt without interference.
Oral Hygiene Counseling
Preventive care and hygiene play a crucial role in the health of a person's smile. Your dentist will give you instructions on how to take care of your teeth at home and how to keep your teeth and gums healthy at all times. Counseling is important because your dentist will answer all your questions related to dental health and give you recommendations for preserving your oral health.
Cosmetic Dental Procedures
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the aesthetics and appearance of a patient's smile. Some standard cosmetic dental procedures include dental implants, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and teeth whitening.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are standard cosmetic procedures. They are the best options for replacing lost teeth and giving patients a more natural-looking smile. Your dentist can place implants in your jawbone and fuse them with the bone after some time. This makes them durable and robust, enabling you to drink and eat anything you like without worrying about your teeth.
If you are considering dental implants, it is important to consult an experienced dentist. Not every person is eligible for dental implants, so you should consult an expert before making a decision.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a common type of cosmetic dentistry. They are custom-made, thin shells bonded to the front of the patient's teeth. Veneers effectively improve your smile because they cover the natural tooth, thus enhancing the smile's appearance. They also change your teeth' length, size, shape, or color. Your dentist can also use porcelain veneers to close gaps between teeth and cover up cracks or chips in your teeth.
If you are considering porcelain veneers, you should consult a qualified cosmetic dentist. Not every person is eligible for porcelain veneers because they need sufficient preparation before being put on. Once your dentist places them, you cannot remove them without damaging your teeth.
Porcelain veneers can enhance your smile. However, you should seek advice from a qualified dentist to ensure that they are best for you and your smile.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatment is one of the many different types of cosmetic procedures that can be used to enhance your smile. It is an effective and popular way to improve the appearance of your teeth. You can use over-the-counter products to do teeth whitening at home. Additionally, you can visit a dental office for professional treatment.
If you are considering teeth whitening, it is important to understand the potential risks and benefits. After teeth whitening, some people experience tooth sensitivity that can be resolved with a desensitizing toothpaste. You should also avoid drinking or eating anything that could stain your teeth for at least 24 hours after treatment.
Teeth whitening can drastically enhance your smile and give you more confidence in your appearance. This procedure can be the right choice if you want an affordable and effective way to enhance your smile.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is also a popular cosmetic procedure that your dentist can use to improve the appearance of your teeth. This procedure involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin material to your teeth and hardening it with a special light. Dental bonding can also be used to close gaps between teeth and repair cracked or chipped teeth.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment is a procedure that involves straightening or moving teeth to improve the appearance of the teeth and how they work. This treatment also helps preserve the long-term health of a patient's teeth, jaw joints, and gums. The appropriate time to have orthodontic treatment is during childhood. However, adults can also have orthodontic treatment. People with crowned or crooked teeth require orthodontic treatment since it will strengthen or move them into a better position. The common types of orthodontic treatments include:
Orthodontic Mini-Implants
Orthodontic mini-implants were introduced in the 21st century. This procedure involves Temporary Anchorage Devices and is designed to control teeth movement during surgery (orthognathic). A dentist can place mini-implants between the pedigrees of your teeth. On the other hand, your dentist can also mount the implants on the roof of your mouth and then connect them to a static brace, moving the teeth as required.
Orthognathic Treatment
This procedure is meant to reposition either or both jaws in people with low jaw divergence. An orthognathic procedure could also be undertaken if the jaws are abnormally positioned in connection to the skull.
Teeth Removal
Tooth removal can be necessary at some point but is rare. This procedure is usually done to enhance and correct the placement of the subsequent teeth.
Retainers
A retainer, which can be fixed or removable, is normally used at the final stage of treatment. When fitted, retainers hold the teeth while the bones and gum are moved to a new spot. If you wear a retainer constantly for the better part of your life, your teeth can be straightened permanently.
Headgear
This procedure corrects the placement of your back teeth while treating the front teeth, which is ongoing. You are only required to wear headgear in the evening and at night because you cannot do other things while wearing it. You must wear headgear as instructed by your dentist; otherwise, your fore teeth could protrude.
Invisalign
Invisalign is popular and useful. It is a unique invisible aligner with many benefits, including a "user-friendly" design. Invisalign is invisible and can be removed at any time. However, unlike other braces, it is expensive.
Braces
There are different types of braces, including metal braces, clear braces, and self-ligating braces. Braces are normally used in orthodontic treatment and are modernized, unlike in the past. When you wear them, people are likely not to realize. Braces can be removable or fixed.
The Cost Of Dental Restoration
The amount you will incur on dental restoration depends on the specific dentist, your location, and the specific dental restorative procedure. You could incur $3000 to $7000 to restore your teeth alignment. It can cost you $100 to $500 per tooth if you require filling or bonding. You could have to bear more than $1500 for a single tooth if you require advanced dental surgeries like root canals and dental implants. It can cost $1500 for a root canal, dental implant, and protective crown.
You should consult a specialist before spending your money on restorative dentistry. Dental specialists can recommend the best and most affordable dental restorative option after examining your dental condition. You can even book an online consultation with a dental professional.
You should not fail to seek dental treatment due to the costs involved. Most dental insurance packages cover general dental procedures. Before you seek treatment, you should find out if your insurance policy covers the treatment you intend to seek. If your insurance does not cover a specific procedure, you can work out a repayment plan with your dentist. All you have to do is discuss your financial situation with your dentist. Your dentist can then craft a repayment plan that suits your financial capability.
Find a Reputable Dentist Near Me
General dentists provide dental services for the whole family, including children, teens, and adults. The standard dental procedures general dentists offer include preventive, restorative, orthodontic, and cosmetic dental procedures. General dentists perform routine oral examinations and screenings to catch dental issues early. If you need a general dentist you can count on, contact the Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry. We have experienced dentists who can handle a wide range of dental issues. We take pride in being the go-to general dentists. Our quality yet affordable dental services set us apart from other dentists. Contact us at 310-361-2080 to speak to one of our dentists.
