General dentists serve as your first line of defense against oral health problems. Although general dentists provide primarily preventative care and minor restorative therapy, they often are able to perform a wide array of dental procedures with their upgraded knowledge & skill. With advancement in Dentistry, there are specialists dentist for each kind of dental issues Here are some of the common dental treatment procedure.

VARIOUS COMMON DENTAL PROCEDURES :

During a dental examination your dentist will use instruments, tests, radiographs and clinical expertise to diagnose potential or existent disease states and pathologies. The general dentist’s primary focus is on the oral cavity, head and neck. An individualized plan is developed to prevent or treat disease states of the oral cavity. In the case of cosmetic dentistry, your general dentist will work with you to identify your esthetic goals.

Dental Fillings: Dental fillings are used to repair damage to the structure of a tooth or teeth. Structural damage can be caused as a result of tooth decay, wear or trauma. After the removal of a problematic tooth structure, the tooth is restored with one of several filling materials: gold, amalgam, composite resin (white filling material) or porcelain. Each filling material has its advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist will work with you to determine which material is appropriate for you.

Bonding: Bonding is the term used to describe the process of using composite resins to “glue” materials to the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes. Chipped or cracked teeth are typically repaired through bonding. An enamel-like composite material is applied to the surface of a tooth, sculpted into shape, contoured and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.

Dental Veneers: Shells made of Composite or Ceramic material, dental veneers are the top end dental cosmetic procedures. It is very effective to correct issue like gaps in teeth, slight misalignment, mild inclines correction & similar issue when patients don’t want to undergo braces /orthodontic therapy & need a quick fix.

Orthodontics: Misaligned teeth and malocclusions can be straightened and corrected with dental braces and retainers. Orthodontics is both a functional and cosmetic treatment, and has become an increasingly popular field of dentistry. Metallic ,Ceramic or latest Dental Aligners are few options for braces.

Teeth Whitening: Hydrogen Peroxide & Carbamide peroxide FDA approved teeth whitening gels can be used to effectively whiten the teeth. It can be both “in house” within 45 minutes in the dentist’s clinic or “Do it on your own” home whitening where you do it yourself as per convenience at your home.

Root Canals Treatment: Root canal therapy removes infected pulp tissue within the root chamber of the tooth. The hollowed-out tooth is filled with an antibacterial filling, and the tooth is “capped” with a crown for protection. Endodontists specialize in performing root canal therapy, though general dentists also often perform the restorative procedure.

Dental Crowns: Dental crowns can repair extensively decayed or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be made of Gold,Crome Cobalt metals ,Zirconia, Acrylics & similar materials or a combination of Porcelain and Metal. Most dentists & labs use CAD/CAM technology for the fabrication of dental crowns. In some cases, conservative dental veneers may replace the need for a dental crown. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists and cosmetic dentists may perform the crown procedure; however, expertise varies among dentists.

Dental Bridges: Dental bridges replace missing teeth with artificial replacements (Pontic). We need to shave off some enamel of the adjacent teeth to provide the space for the support of Ceramic material.1missing tooth typically needs a support from either side hence a 3-unit bridge. It’s never the first line of choice as Dental Implants, if possible, are much preferred way to replace your teeth. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform bridge procedures. Availability of the latest materials, technology and expertise varies among dentists.

Kids dentistry: the children under the age group of 12 come under pediatric dentistry. The common procedures for them include fillings, RCT, crowns, scaling/cleaning of teeth , brushing demo, extraction of any milk tooth if needed, space maintainers, pit & fissure sealants to prevent cavities. Best performed by a specilaised Pediatric Dentist under conscious sedation.

Dentures: Dentures are used to replace missing teeth or damaged teeth that cannot be otherwise repaired. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, may perform the procedure. However, availability of the latest material, technology and expertise varies among dentists. Generally made of crome cobalt metals, acrylics or softer thermoplastic materials -Valplast & other BioHPP based materials

Dental Implants :  The most novel way to replace a missing tooth, multiple teeth or complete set of teeth. The Implants are Titanium alloys & Zirconia Based Restorative screws which are inserted into the jaw bone like any other minor surgical procedures. The Biocompatible materials bind with the bone by Osseointegration process, thereby securing the implants firmly in the jaw bone. After a due healing time, it is ready to receive the dental crown/bridge to replace the missing tooth/teeth.

Oral and Maxillofacial Procedures: Oral and maxillofacial procedures range from the less invasive treatment of abnormalities of the mouth, jaw and face – including accompanying structures such as the teeth – to major oral surgeries. Dental implants, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) procedures, reconstructive surgery and cleft lip and palate procedures also fall under the oral and maxillofacial category. Most common being the extraction of teeth.

Periodontal Treatment: Early gum disease treatment may include tooth scaling and cleaning at three-month intervals along with use of medicated mouthwash and proper flossing. Later-stage gum disease treatment may include deep-plane scaling, periodontal surgery and laser surgery. General dentists, family dentists & periodontists may perform gum disease treatment. However, availability of the latest material, technology and the level of expertise varies among dentists. 

Laser Procedures: In some cases, Hard & Soft tissue laser dentistry can replace the need to drill teeth or to use other, more invasive dental equipment. Dental lasers can be used during a bonding procedure and to remove tooth decay, enhance the effect of teeth scaling, perform periodontal surgery including gum lifts, enhance tooth whitening , adjunct in RCT & many more uses. General dentists, family dentists, periodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform laser dentistry.