Teeth Cleaning
Having your teeth cleaned provides more than just calculus and plaque removal. Having this procedure done on a regular basis lowers bacteria in your mouth and prevents dental caries. You provide your mouth with a clean and healthy environment for the teeth and gums with regular cleaning. Bad breath, heart disease, and tooth loss can be linked to periodontal disease so be sure to have your teeth cleaned often. While brushing your teeth everyday can help, you need the professional tools found in the dentist office for an adequate cleaning. The dentist can remove the scaling on your teeth as well as tartar and plaque buildup. By removing these, bacteria can’t stick to your teeth and cause decay.
Fillings
Tooth decay or dental caries are caused by bacteria that produce acid. These acids breakup the hard surfaces of the tooth and the dental caries produce holes. The dentist needs to scrape away the decay and then fill the holes. This keeps the esthetics and functionality of the tooth and these fillings are the most common procedure done by dentists. Traditional fillings used to be amalgam made from gold and silver. These are durable but you can see them when they are near the front of the mouth. Composite resin is used instead of metal amalgam which is colored to match your teeth for an attractive appearance.
Extractions
Dentists perform extractions for a number of reasons. When a tooth cannot be repaired due to extensive damage from tooth decay or cracked from injury, this procedure is performed. When no other solutions are viable the dentist will opt for taking the tooth out with an extraction.
Wisdom Teeth Extractions
Molars or wisdom teeth as they are commonly called are found at the back of your mouth and very hard to clean properly. Wisdom teeth are often extracted because they become infected, cause poor alignment from impaction, or pain. The dentist will determine if a wisdom tooth needs to come out and will look at the patient’s individual situation.
Root Canals
Sometimes cavities or dental caries start to damage tooth layers through dentin and enamel. This works its way to the pulp which holds arteries and nerves of the tooth. As cavities work there way into the pulp a tooth can become sensitive to hot and cold and severe pain can also develop. When this occurs the dentist drills deep into the tooth to eliminate all the bacteria and cleans the pulp chamber with tools. This procedure can take one or two visits but will result in a tooth that’s pain free.
Crowns
Crowns are also called caps and are a restoration procedure done by dentists to cap a tooth that’s damaged. While a filling just plugs a hole, the crown becomes the new surface of the tooth. If a tooth is extensively chipped, decayed, or cracked, this procedure is performed. The crown in made in a laboratory and fit over the tooth structure. He dentist then cements the crown in place so it becomes a cap.
Bridges
The “pontic” or false tooth is used to replace missing teeth in the mouth. This is fused to the crowns on either side of where the missing tooth is and held in place. This bridge keeps the teeth from drifting and bacteria from forming in the tooth space.
Dental Implants
To replace missing teeth the dental implant is another solution. It permanently anchors a tooth made from prosthetics too the patient’s jawbone. A rod made out of titanium is placed with a drill in the bone and then left to heal. The new tooth is crafted, fit into the space, and held there with screws or rods. The new tooth looks like a regular tooth and feels like one too. This will help with bone retention and promote healthy gingiva that results from the pressure on the rod from actions like chewing.
And More…
At 5th Street Dental we offer much more, the above listed are the most common and asked about procedures such as teeth cleaning. We welcome all feedback and questions you may have and greatly look forward your contact today! Please give us a call today or visit our Sidney dental office at 9775 Fifth Street.
