Understanding Common Dental Treatments

Dental treatment can range from the most basic and common teeth cleaning to the most complex of surgeries. Understanding what dental service entails and why it may be required will help dispel much of the needless fear that many people have when it comes to dental procedures.

• Crowns: When a tooth is damaged, disfigured or broken, a crown is used to replace the visible part of the tooth. The crown adds strength to the overall tooth and improves its cosmetic appeal.
• Bonding: A tooth-colored resin material is applied to the surface of the tooth to repair chips, decays and cracks. The resin is hardened by a special light and the repair becomes invisible.
• Bridgework: When some teeth are missing, a dental bridge is used to fill the gap by replacing the missing natural teeth with manufactured ones. Dental bridges are not only cosmetic, but they also help in the mastication and digestion of food.

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• Cosmetic Fillings: Traditional silver or gold-colored fillings stand out from the natural teeth and harm the smile. Cosmetic fillings are made of resin and glass materials and look just like natural teeth. They are cemented onto existing teeth by the use of bonding material.
• Dental Veneers: Having teeth that are discoloured, crooked or badly shaped is a common problem. Veneers are thin, specially shaped coverings placed over the teeth that hide the problem and give the person the ability to smile with confidence.
• Invisalign: The old system of using braces to straighten out crooked teeth is a thing of the past. Today custom-fitted removable aligners that are not visible are used to gradually align and straighten out the teeth. These are far more comfortable to wear than the old metal braces.
• Dentures: The loss of all or almost all of one's teeth can be traumatic. Dentures, either complete or partial are used to replace the lost teeth and enable a person to not only have a normal-looking smile but also to chew and eat food normally. Dentures are easily removed for cleaning.

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• Dental Sealants: These are made of plastic and applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth to prevent the surfaces from wearing down.
• Root Canal Procedures: Diseased teeth do not always have to be removed. The root canal procedure can be used to remove the painful nerve and stabilize the remaining tooth so that it need not be replaced.
• Tooth Extraction: If a tooth cannot be saved, it will be removed and replaced with an artificial tooth or filling.
• Teeth Cleaning: Even with the best oral hygiene, plaque and tartar can build up on the teeth and cause decay and eventual tooth loss. Regular cleaning by the dentist will remove the deposits and keep the teeth and gums healthy and strong.
• Teeth Whitening: This is a purely cosmetic procedure to give a person a bright and attractive smile.

These are just a few of the most common dental procedures. There are many more - dentistry is a very large field of specialized medicine. Having a dentist that the family will be able to go to for regular check-ups will not only protect your family's health, but will also give you access to all the information you may need on dental treatments and services.