Visiting a General Dentist: What to Expect

dental visit

Sometimes, finding a reliable dentist is as simple as choosing the closest location of a practice or brand that you find trustworthy. But most times, you need to do your own research to determine whether that dental team is the right fit for your family. Just as important is finding a good dental practice that you and your loved ones can access conveniently for routine checkups and dental emergencies.

General dentistry addresses the common dental care problems for people of all ages. Every dental visit begins with a thorough assessment of your mouth to determine the health of your teeth, gums, mouth, and body.

Depending on the results of your assessment, a general dentist may offer additional services such as:

  1. Preventive services

A combination of regular exams, including physical examination and x-rays, with professional cleanings helps to maintain good oral health by detecting and stopping diseases while they are still manageable. Based on the results of your exam, you will be provided with detailed instructions to enhance your at-home oral care regimen. The dental professional may also recommend preventive treatments like sealants, fluoride supplements, diet changes, wearing a mouth guard, etc.

  1. Restorative services

In the event that a problem is found, your general dentist will initiate the right intervention to treat or manage it. Some problems require specialized care, like from an orthodontist or endodontist, in which case your dentist will direct you to the best professional to provide treatment.

Typical dental restoration and replacement services include:

  • Removing tooth decay and filling the cavity with appropriate material
  • Treatment of dental trauma including loosened, broken, or knocked-out tooth
  • Diagnosis and treatment of toothache, gum disease, and other symptoms
  • Tooth extraction
  • Treatment for missing teeth
  • Placement of bridgework and crowns
  • Fitting dentures

Some general dentists are trained to handle advanced treatments such as implants, orthodontics, and root canal treatment, so you may not need to see a different dentist for the procedure.

  1. Cosmetic services

Your general dentist can also help to transform your smile through a number of cosmetic procedures such as:

  • Teeth whitening
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Cosmetic bonding

Simply discuss with your dentist about the best way to improve your smile.

Final Note

Each member of your family has unique dental needs. So make sure to choose a dentist’s office that can handle every dental need that you and your family may need, from simple procedures such as dental checkups, professional cleaning, and whitening to the more complex ones like root canal, implants, and veneers.

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