Routine Check-Ups and Cleanings
Patients should see the dentist two times a year even if they follow a diligent oral care routine at home. The dentist and hygienist will be able to spot early signs of decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other dental problems. Many dental problems do not become apparent to the patient until there is pain or sensitivity, when the problem has become advanced.
How often should you see the dentist?
For most patients, two visits a year is sufficient. However, some patients will need to visit more often if there is a high risk for conditions such as periodontal disease. Other high-risk patients include smokers and diabetics.
What to expect during your visit
A routine visit includes a professional cleaning, an exam performed by a dentist, and x-rays. During the exam the dentist will check the surfaces of your teeth, review your xrays, and check for oral cancer. The dentist will also discuss your health history at this visit, taking note of past dental issues, allergies, medications, chronic conditions, and recent surgeries or illnesses.
Fillings
Fillings restore teeth with small amounts of decay or damage back to their normal function and shape. Fillings are commonly used to treat cavities, however more serious cavities could require a crown for treatment.
What is a filling made of?
The filling is made of a composite resin that looks like natural teeth, making them unnoticeable to the eye. Fillings can also be made of silver amalgam or gold, although these substances are not as common in dentistry today.
Scaling and Root Planing
Many times, the early stages of periodontal disease are best treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy. Even in severe cases of periodontal disease, non-surgical periodontal therapy often precedes surgical therapy. This is done to improve the overall tissue quality prior to surgery and also to help limit the areas requiring surgery.
Treatment methods depend upon the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed. The first step is usually a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tartar deposits below the gumline.
Antibiotics or irrigation with anti-microbials (chemical agents or mouth rinses) may be recommended to help control the growth of bacteria that create toxins and cause periodontitis. In some cases, your doctor may place an antibiotic in the periodontal pockets after scaling and root planing. This may be done to control infection and to encourage normal healing.
When deep pockets between teeth and gums are present, it is difficult for your doctor to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar. Patients can seldom, if ever, keep these pockets clean and free of plaque. Scaling and root planning, sometimes called a deep cleaning, may take two to four visits based upon the level of periodontal disease. Thereafter, surgery may be needed to restore periodontal health.
Crowns and Bridges
A crown (or ‘cap’) entirely covers a damaged tooth. Crowns strengthen damaged teeth by restoring the tooth back to its normal shape and alignment. Crowns can also improve the appearance of teeth. uses crowns made of a few different materials depending on the function of the tooth. The most common materials used are porcelain or ceramic.
When is a crown needed?
A crown can be used in many different situations. Sometimes cavities can be too large for fillings and will require a crown to preserve the strength of the tooth. A crown can protect a weak tooth from fracturing. If a tooth has already fractured, a crown can restore the fractured tooth. Crowns are used to protect teeth after root canal treatment. Crowns attach bridges. If a patient is unhappy with the shape of color of a tooth, a crown can be used to improve the smile. Finally, crowns are also used to cover dental implants.
Implants
A dental implant is a small post made of titanium that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant replaces the root of the tooth. The abutment is then attached to the implant, connecting it to the crown. The final part of the implant is the part you see: the crown. This is crafted with porcelain to look just like a natural tooth.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
Most people are candidates for implants. There are some conditions that will not allow us to place implants. Ultimately the decision will be up to you, with the guidance of your dentist. Some conditions like osteoporosis or uncontrolled diabetes can cause delay of healing and lead to implant failure.
Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They are an ideal choice for improving your smile and have become increasingly popular due to their simplicity and versatility.
Placing custom veneers requires a high degree of technical skill as well as attention to cosmetic detail. We will design each case individually to match and enhance the characteristics of each patient’s smile.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening can make your teeth shades lighter if you have staining or discoloration. Professional whitening products contain bleaches that lighten stains and make your smile brighter. Whitening can be repeated from time to time to maintain the brighter color.
Does whitening work on all teeth?
Whitening works well on yellow natural teeth however it does not work on crowns, veneers, fillings, or bridges.
Root canal therapy
A root canal is one of the most common dental procedures performed, well over 14 million every year. This simple treatment can save your natural teeth and prevent the need of dental implants or bridges. At the center of your tooth is pulp. Pulp is a collection of blood vessels that helps to build the surrounding tooth. Infection of the pulp can be caused by trauma to the tooth, deep decay, cracks and chips, or repeated dental procedures. Symptoms of the infection can be identified as visible injury or swelling of the tooth, sensitivity to temperature or pain in the tooth and gums. If you experience any of these symptoms, your dentist will most likely recommend non-surgical treatment to eliminate the diseased pulp. During a root canal, the injured pulp is removed and the root canal system is thoroughly cleaned and sealed. The tooth will then be restored with a crown or filling. Root Canal therapy usually involves local anesthesia and may be completed in one or more visits depending on the treatment required.
Braces
Traditional braces are a system of fixed wires and brackets that orthodontists use to correct bite. Appointments are scheduled regularly to change the wire and move teeth under the supervision of an orthodontist.
How do braces straighten teeth?
Braces use constant, gentle pressure, which over time, move teeth into their proper positions. Your braces are at work every moment of your orthodontic treatment. The two main components of your braces are: the brackets that are placed on your teeth and the main archwire that connects them. The bracket is a piece of shaped metal or ceramic that we affix to each tooth. The archwire is bent to reflect your “ideal” bite. In other words, it reflects the way we want you to look after treatment.
The wire threads through the brackets and, as the wire returns to its original shape, it applies pressure to move your teeth. Picture your tooth resting in your jawbone. With pressure on one side from the archwire, the bone on the other side remodels. The tooth moves in that direction, and new bone grows in behind.
In order to help fix your bite, elastics may be worn. Elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn as directed and changed every day.
Dental emergencies
At G&G Bright Diamonds Family Dentistry , we offer emergency dental services. If you're in the Richmond, VA area, and you have a dental emergency, give us a call.
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