Tooth care is usually a matter of thorough cleaning so that plaque doesn’t build up and lead to caries. Unfortunately, people tend to lead busy lives and do not give their teeth the amount of care that they require. Things that most people fall short in are brushing times, brushing methods and thorough flossing. Thankfully, regular visits to the dentist can help. For instance, annual cleaning lets the dentist know if a problem develops and whether there is a need for General Dentistry in New Baltimore MI. General dentistry has a variety of procedures that eliminate oral problems including eliminating cavities, capping or crowning damaged teeth and root canals to remove the tooth pulp and nerve.
The most common procedures performed by a dentist is for the elimination of a cavity. If the problem is caught in time, then the dentist can drill away the damaged portions of the tooth and fill the void with an inert material. If the patient has waited too long, then there are other procedures in general dentistry in New Baltimore MI that may be required. The most common is the root canal in which the dentist will perform a small surgical procedure that eliminates the blood supply and nerve that normally keeps the tooth healthy. This is usually required when the cavity extends deep inside a molar or the tooth has multiple, large caries.
Another dental procedure that is quite common is the replacement of lost teeth. Originally, this was handled with dental appliances such as bridges or dentures. The bridge would anchor to the surrounding teeth while the denture required the removal of all teeth on the same jaw. Improvements in dentistry can eliminate the issue of loose fitting replacements with the help of dental implants. An implant may be a single replacement or the installation of anchors or studs that can secure the bridge or denture. Implants take a little while to be completed because the dentist must first implant one or more studs in the jawbone. This small surgical procedure needs time to heal before the prosthesis is created. However, most patients find it worth the wait because the bridge will not affect any surrounding teeth and the prosthetic devices are very stable. Contact DiPilla Robert, DDS for more information about dental care.
