Most people will quickly reach out for plumbing services when a pipe bursts in their home. They will ensure that their water treatment system is up to par and that their car gets the attention that it deserves, but are hesitant to visit the dentist even when it is obvious that dental care is needed.
What keeps people from getting the dental care they need from the dentist? The answer is simple. Fear. Fear of the different dental procedures is based on the myth that different dental procedures are painful. The fact is the more you know about the different dental procedures the more you can relax about seeing the dental professional and getting the care that you need.
The Most Common Dental Procedures
About 50% of adults say that they keep regularly scheduled appointments with their dentist every six months. Those adults that do have regularly scheduled appointments with their dentists typically go in for a cleaning. Cleaning is one of the different dental procedures that is more maintenance than a procedure. A dental cleaning helps to remove plaque and tartar build-up that regular brushing and flossing cannot get to.
A dental cleaning procedure is painless and an important preventive tool. Regular professional cleanings can help you to enjoy good oral health and ward off both dental disease and gum disease.
There are many different types of dental procedures. For people that visit the dentist’s office regularly, the most common of the different dental procedures is a filling. A filling is a very simple procedure that is not painful.
A filling is used to repair a tooth that has a cavity. A cavity or more precisely dental caries are infections of the tooth that eat away at the enamel. Bacteria is the culprit behind cavities. The dentist will clean the area and place a filling to stop the bacteria in its tracks and keep it from causing more damage to the tooth.
Different dental procedures are used to address your specific oral health issue. For example, while fillings are a great solution for surface cavities, if those cavities get into the pulp of the tooth, a common cure is root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is often misunderstood as a painful event. The fact is a root canal gets you out of pain quickly. Inside your teeth are nerve endings that live in the pulp of the teeth. When a tooth becomes infected down into the pulp, the pain can be tremendous. A root canal will remove the pulp, get rid of the pain, and help to save your natural tooth.
Some of the different dental procedures are not focused only on the health of your teeth but the placement of your teeth and how that affects both your oral health and your physical health. Many people, especially children feel apprehensive when they hear that they need to see a specialist about braces.
Orthodontics
A specialized field of dentistry is orthodontics. An orthodontist is an expert in tooth placement, the effect the teeth have on the jaw, and more mechanics of the mouth. Braces are a corrective tool that is used to gently shift teeth into the proper placement.
A lot of patients focus on the aesthetic improvement that braces can deliver, but the fact is, braces deliver more than aesthetic improvement. Braces can help to:
- Improve the health of your teeth.
- Reduce the frequency of tension headaches.
- Help to correct speech patterns.
It can be difficult to keep overcrowded misaligned teeth healthy. Bacteria and build up can fester in between overcrowded teeth and can be difficult to clean properly. Braces can help to move teeth into the proper position and make it easier to battle dental disease.
Many people do not realize that misaligned teeth can put undue pressure on the jaw and cause tension headaches. Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching) frequently occurs when teeth are misaligned which can cause facial pain and headaches. Corrective appliances like braces can help to reduce the strain and relieve the pain.
Of course, part of the apprehension about braces is whether or not having braces installed will be painful. The fact is the installation itself is not painful, but wearing braces can be uncomfortable. It does take a little while to get used to wearing braces, especially the metal kind, but there are other options like Invisalign braces that are more comfortable and easier to manage.
The best way to find out how braces can improve your smile and do a lot more is to visit the orthodontist. After an exam, the orthodontist can tell you which braces are best for your condition and all the benefits that they can bring.
Different Dental Procedures for Restorative Dentistry
Many patients that have the need for restorative dentistry take advantage of the different dental procedures that are available. If you have missing teeth you too can take advantage of the different dental procedures that are available to help you repair your smile.
Some of the restorative options include porcelain crowns that can cover up chipped and broken teeth. Crowns are also used after a root canal to ensure that the natural tooth is protected. Restoring missing teeth is vital to help keep your existing natural teeth healthy.
Having missing teeth can mean that your natural teeth can shift out of place. Of course, it can also mean that you do not feel confident about your smile. Restoration is available that can help you to feel more confident, love your look, and improve your oral health.
One of the different dental procedures that have gained some real popularity for people that have missing teeth are dental implants. Dental implants replace your missing teeth, the look and feel completely natural and come with the added benefit of stopping bone loss.
Implant posts are placed in the position of your natural teeth and capped with a lifelike tooth. The results are a great-looking smile and tremendous oral health benefits. Implants are popular because they function like natural teeth.
Other restoration treatments can include:
- Full upper and lower dentures.
- Partial dentures.
- Bridges
In some cases, it is best to remove whatever teeth are left and be fitted for full upper and lower dentures. Weak teeth that are diseased are painful, when the work is extensive to try to restore each tooth individually, it can be a cost and time savings to have dentures made.
Dentures can help to get you out of pain and feel much better about the way you look. In some cases, full dentures are not necessary, but partial dentures are. For example, if you have teeth missing on one side of your mouth but the other teeth are healthy, a partial can work out great.
Bridges are often another solution for a partial restoration. A “bridge” housing artificial teeth can be secured to healthy teeth to replace the missing teeth. The best solution for you can be a unique combination of any of the different dental procedures focused on restoration. Your dentist is your best resource for information.
Restoration work is not painful, it actually gets you out of pain. Understanding your options and the procedures can help to ease your worry and help you make informed decisions about your oral health.
There is a solution that can restore your smile and get you out of pain. YOu do not have to hide your mouth from the world or deal with things like difficulty chewing your food. Make an appointment today to learn about your options.
When You Just Do Not Like Your Smile
Many patients are lucky enough to have good oral health, but they are simply not happy with the way their smile looks. Cosmetic dentistry is the dentistry specialty that can address how your smile appears.
Like all dentists, the cosmetic dentist’s first goal is to ensure that your teeth are healthy. Once your teeth are in great shape, then you can talk about what different dental procedures are available to help you reach your smile goals.
Some of the different dental procedures that fall under the cosmetic dentistry heading include:
- Teeth whitening
- Veneers
- Cosmetic dental caps, crowns, and implants
In cases of cosmetic improvement, you do not need to have an oral health issue, you just need to want to change the appearance of your teeth. A good example of a cosmetic dentistry procedure is veneers. Veneers are like jackets for your teeth. They slide on top of your healthy teeth and can change the shape of your teeth. The can be used to cover gaps, lengthen teeth, cover unsightly staining, and change how your teeth appear. They are a completely safe, painless option for enhancing your smile.
Another very popular cosmetic procedure is professional tooth whitening. It can help to remove staining from your teeth and make your teeth up to 7 shades brighter and whiter. Whiter teeth can help you feel better about your teeth and even look younger. It is a completely painless process.
All the different dental procedures for cosmetic purposes give you great results and are not painful. You can easily reach your smile goals with the right support. Implants are often used in cosmetic dentistry to replace missing teeth and give you a natural, noticeable smile.
Dental crowns are also used in cosmetic dentistry to cover up broken, chipped, or cracked teeth. There is a wide range of dental procedures that are focused on helping you reach your smile goals. Learning more about your options and the process can help to ease your mind.
The First Rule of the Different Dental Procedures
A dentist is a professional like any doctor. Their primary goal in offering you any type of treatment is ensuring that the treatment will improve your oral health. If you are strictly interested in improving your smile, you will be hard-pressed to find a dentist that will do the treatments to improve your smile, if your teeth are not healthy.
Good oral health is a must if you want to move on to any of the different dental procedures that can change your smile for the better. When you visit your dentist they will come up with a treatment plan and explain every part of the process before you get to have the cosmetic stuff done.
Dental Health for Overall Health
Dental health is not only vital for how you feel about your smile, but it is vital for your overall health. Gum disease and other dental health issues have been identified as a potential link to heart disease. It is thought that poor oral health can help bacteria infiltrate your bloodstream and cause a wide range of health problems.
Your teeth are the first process in your digestive system. Healthy teeth can mean a healthier diet. Millions of children and adults miss work and school every year because of oral health diseases like cavities and painful swollen gums. Ensuring that your oral health does not stop you from feeling well and having a great quality of life starts with making that dental visit appointment.
Information about the different dental procedures can be a powerful tool in motivating you to get to the dentist. A strong relationship with your dentist can help you to make informed decisions about your care, and put the dental anxiety to the side to get the care that you deserve.
Get On the Road to a Smile You Feel Proud Of
Dental technologies have come a long way. There are more options than ever to care for your teeth, improve your smile, and enjoy great oral health. If you have been hesitant to make that dental appointment, you should learn all that you can about the different dental procedures and options and the benefits that they offer.
Every dentist understands that some people are apprehensive about getting dental treatment, and many dentists offer specialty services like general anesthesia to patients that suffer from severe dental anxiety. Your teeth are far too important to ignore. If you struggle with going to the dentist, let your dentist know about your fears, they can work with you to help you get the care that you deserve.
