General Dentistry

Some patients will develop issues like cavities or gum disease. This can happen even when those patients are conscientious about practicing good oral hygiene and seeing their dentist twice a year. In such circumstances, general dentistry treatments and restorations can repair any damage.

Catching these oral diseases as early as possible is essential in minimizing the damage and putting yourself in the best position of being able to receive treatment that is both effective and conservative.

Many different treatment options can address the results of oral diseases, so if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms, see your dentist learn which interventions may help. Call our office to schedule an evaluation.

Importance of Prompt Treatment for Oral Diseases

When you monitor your teeth and gums for signs of oral diseases, you greatly improve your chances that any issues will be identified and treated in the earliest stages of the disease process. If you notice any of the following symptoms, bring them to your dentist’s attention.

  • Redness of the gum tissue
  • Swelling of the gum tissue
  • Bleeding gums (even if it only occurs while brushing and/or flossing)
  • Discomfort or tooth sensitivity
  • Persistent bad breath
  • Noticeable pockets between the teeth and gums
  • Broken or loose teeth
General and Family Dentistry | Gregory Dental Care | Lubbock, TX

Your dentist is also looking for these symptoms during your checkups, which is part of why those appointments are so important. The symptoms listed above should never be ignored. Early diagnosis and treatment can help patients avoid interventions that are time-consuming, costly, and invasive.

For example, detecting mild changes that indicate gingivitis (early-stage gum disease) can allow patients to have the issue addressed with a deep cleaning, while more advanced gum disease might necessitate gum surgery.

General Dentistry Treatments

Different general dentistry treatments will be suitable for different conditions and situations. Your dentist can advise you of the most suitable treatment options for you after evaluating your case.

Our office provides scaling and root planing to address early-stage periodontal disease. This procedure involves a deep cleaning of the tooth’s root underneath the gum tissue to eliminate any bacteria that are congregating in that area and contributing to infection.

After the area has been cleaned thoroughly, the gum tissue is secured to the tooth again.

Root canals are another useful intervention that can help us to preserve a severely damaged or injured biological tooth. Pulp material that is already infected or at risk for infection is removed from the tooth’s inner core. The empty root canal chamber is thoroughly cleaned and filled with an inert substance.

Restorative Dentistry: Making Your Smile Whole Again After Tooth Damage or Loss

When a tooth is damaged by decay, it is important to restore the tooth’s structure so that it can function properly and so that the smile’s appearance is not adversely affected. Similarly, it is important to replace missing teeth to restore a complete smile. The following interventions help us to achieve those goals:

  • Dental Fillings
  • Dental Crowns
  • Dental Bridges
  • Dentures and Partial Dentures (both removable and permanent implant-supported dentures)

The specific type of restoration used will be determined by the extent of damage to the tooth or the number of teeth that are missing. Fillings are used for small areas of decay, while crowns are needed when teeth have substantial damage.

Dental bridges can be used to replace a contiguous stretch of a small number of missing teeth, while dentures are suitable in cases of more widespread tooth loss.

Ongoing Monitoring After Initial Treatment

After you have experienced an initial episode of an oral disease like tooth decay or gum disease, you do face the risk of a relapse. This is why it’s essential to follow up with your dentist as directed for aftercare following your initial treatment. This includes both routine check-ups and follow-ups for your treatment.

You should also take preventive measures on your own to lower your chances of a relapse. In addition to practicing good oral hygiene habits and keeping your dental appointments, you should also work to address lifestyle factors like diet and stress that may be contributing to your oral health problems.

Common General Dentistry Questions
What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed on top of a biological tooth that has been significantly affected by decay. After removing all of the decayed tooth material, the dentist can restore the tooth’s shape and structure by placing a crown. Dental crowns are also used to reduce the risk of breakage in teeth that have been treated by root canals.

What is a partial denture?

A partial denture is a removable appliance that is used to replace a large number of teeth but not an entire arch. The prosthetic teeth in a partial denture are typically attached to a pink plastic base which is secured to teeth using metal clasps.

What are permanent dentures?

Permanent dentures are dentures that are secured to the jaw using dental implants. One common approach to permanent dentures is the All-on-4 method, in which an oral surgeon inserts four dental implants into a patient’s jaw, and then our office designs and places the denture appliance on top of those four dental implants. Permanent dentures tend to be more secure and durable than conventional dentures.