Dental Treatment

Dental treatment refers to any care provided for oral diseases, injuries and abnormalities. It encompasses diagnostic, preventive, restorative and esthetic dentistry services.

At the outset of dental treatment, creating a plan is of utmost importance. Dentists meeting new clients will usually start this process during initial consultations to better assess individual patient needs.

Root canal treatment

Root canal therapy (also referred to as endodontic therapy) is the process of extracting inflamed or infected dental pulp tissue while simultaneously saving natural teeth from extraction, providing a safer alternative than losing them and needing artificial replacements to fill their place in one’s smile.

Under local anesthesia, this process takes place without experiencing any pain during its completion. Your tooth’s canals (tiny passageways inside your tooth) will be opened and cleaned using special tools, files and irrigation solutions; afterwards a rubbery material known as gutta-percha is used to fill and seal them off completely.

Root-treated teeth can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene practices, avoiding hard objects to bite down on and scheduling regular preventative checkups.

Fillings

Fillings repair the small, tooth-shaped holes known as cavities that form when decay-causing bacteria digest sugars and starches within your tooth structure. A dentist removes decayed tissue, cleans the area thoroughly, then fills in the space using composite resin that hardens under an ultraviolet curing light.

Modern tooth-colored fillings are typically composed of porcelain, ceramics and glass ionomer materials that resist staining; however, this requires multiple office visits due to having to sculpt and shape these fillings individually – this process could even chip off part of a tooth!

Composite resin fillings can also be used for cosmetic fillings in front teeth, known as bonding, which are bonded directly onto their surfaces and adhere like natural tooth enamel, releasing fluoride to help prevent cavities while looking similar to natural tooth enamel. Unfortunately, composite fillings don’t last as long as amalgam ones.

Crowns

Crowns (sometimes referred to as caps) are restorations that cover and protect damaged teeth after extensive filling or other treatments, or can even be used cosmetically to change their shape and size.

When seeking this treatment, ensure to select a dentist with experience and an excellent track record. Faulty treatment could cause long-term temperature sensitivity or pain in the mouth.

Your dentist will shape the tooth to prepare it for crown placement. Following your procedure, it’s common to experience heat or cold sensitivity or sore gums for a few days following it; usually this goes away on its own; if necessary you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to alleviate discomfort.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, durable shells composed of tooth-colored materials that can be attached to your teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers may be recommended by your dentist either for cosmetic purposes or correct specific dental issues like uneven surfaces or chipped teeth.

Your dentist will numb the area before extracting a very small amount of enamel from each tooth in preparation for veneers. An impression will then be sent off to be created at a lab; they’ll also assess their color and fit before permanently cementing them onto your teeth.

Composite resin veneers tend to be less resilient than porcelain ones and may need replacing more often. Clenching and grinding of teeth can damage them as well, so patients should wear a night guard while sleeping to protect their enamel from being worn away by these activities.

Bonding

Bonding is an affordable solution to correct minor imperfections in teeth. A putty-like resin material is applied directly onto each individual tooth and hardened with bright light, creating a bond.

Root canal therapy entails replacing damaged tooth pulp (the soft, central area that contains blood vessels and nerves) caused by bacteria from cracks or cavities entering it and leading to an infection that results in severe pain.

A dental bridge fills the space left by missing teeth, supporting your facial structure and relieving stress on your bite. Consisting of artificial teeth bonded to existing natural ones or implants, bridges provide support without changing their original form or preventing future decay like crowns do.