What are general dental services?

General dental services are treatments or procedures that help you preserve optimal oral health, prevent dental problems, and treat the earliest stages of dental decay, gum disease, or other problems. As such, general dental services serve numerous functions. It enfolds preventative dentistry, which aims to help you maintain perfect teeth without problems for a lifetime.

If you develop some cavities or dental problems despite your best efforts, general dentistry addresses the issue with minimal intervention. General dental services are standard treatments that most people need throughout their lives. The most common and popular general dental services include teeth cleaning, fillings, and crowns. Please read on to learn more about general dental services at our dental office in Houston.

Teeth Cleaning

Teeth cleaning isn’t the same as brushing or flossing your teeth. It’s a professional and routine procedure that removes all the accumulated plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Everyone should opt for teeth cleaning at least once every six months to maintain optimal oral health. If you don’t get regular teeth cleaning, the accumulated plaque and tartar in your mouth will increase bacterial activity, thereby increasing your risk of gum disease and dental decay. Teeth cleaning prevents bacteria from proliferating in your mouth, thereby preventing decay and gum disease.

Teeth cleaning procedures usually start with a simple checkup. The dentist examines your oral cavities to look for signs of gum disease, cavities, and other problems. If you have some dental problems, the dentist may need to address those issues first. If you don’t have major dental problems, the dental hygienist will perform the cleaning. They use a special tool called a scalar to remove all the plaque and tartar from your teeth and gums. Once the plaque is removed, they use abrasive toothpaste to scrub your teeth, followed by professional flossing. This restores optimal oral health.

Fillings

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we develop cavities. Dental cavities usually occur when the bacteria feast on the foods and plaque on the mouth and produce acids that corrode the enamel. Fillings are necessary to remove the infected parts of the teeth, fill the gap to prevent further bacterial decay, and restore optimal oral health. However, fillings are only suitable for patients if the cavities haven’t spread beyond the enamel, i.e., the outermost part of the dental structures.

URBN Dental uses tooth-colored composite resin fillings because they blend with your surrounding teeth. We remove the decayed parts of your teeth, clean out the cavities, and fill the gap with composite resin material. Next, we use a special light to harden the composite resin, bonding it with your teeth. Once the filling is in place, it’s indistinguishable from your natural teeth. Fillings generally last several years before needing replacement.

Crowns

Dental crowns are necessary if the dental cavity is too large for fillings. If the cavity has eaten away most of the enamel, the dentist may recommend a crown to protect the affected tooth. A crown is a tooth-colored and tooth-shaped cap attached to the decayed tooth to project the external image of perfect teeth. It also protects the underlying tooth from further damage. Dental crowns are also used after root canal treatments to protect the weakened teeth.

During the dental crown procedure, the dentist will shave off the external parts of the teeth, including the regions with cavities. The tooth is filed down to a small stub to accommodate the crown. Once the tooth is prepared, the dentist takes accurate impressions of your teeth and a dental mold to prepare the crown. You’ll wear temporary crowns while the permanent crown is being prepared. Finally, the dentist will attach the permanent crown over your tooth, restoring optimal health.

Do dentists or dental clinics offer sedation for a dental cleaning?

Dental cleaning is a painless and comfortable procedure, so there’s no need for sedation. However, if you’re particularly anxious, the dentist can provide conscious sedation — you’ll be awake and conscious, but your anxieties will fade away.

How often do you actually go to the dentist for a cleaning?

You should go to a dentist for a dental cleaning once every six months to ensure optimal oral health. This figure is based on the average time it takes for people to develop a high volume of plaque and tartar. However, some patients may need even more frequent or less frequent cleanings, depending on the dentist’s recommendation.

Why is dental deep cleaning necessary?

Dental deep cleaning isn’t the same as teeth cleaning, even though they sound similar. Dental deep cleaning is a procedure used to reverse the early stages of periodontitis, i.e., a bacterial infection on the gums. You’ll need a dental deep cleaning if your gum disease has progressed enough to make your gums start receding. And yes, dental deep cleaning is completely necessary. If left untreated, periodontitis eventually leads to severe problems, including bone loss and tooth loss.

Is it good to have a deep cleaning of teeth at the dentist?

Yes, it’s good and advisable to have a deep cleaning of teeth at a dentist’s office. Deep cleanings include periodontal scaling and root planing, procedures that remove all the accumulated plaque and tighten your gum tissues, reversing the damage caused by bacteria. It’s an essential procedure that protects you from severe problems down the line.

Schedule an appointment for general dental services at URBN Dental, Houston.

URBN Dental is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in the latest general dentistry procedures. We only use BPA-free and tooth-colored fillings and crowns to ensure optimal aesthetics and safety. Our dental clinic is located at 2400 Mid Ln. #350, Houston, TX. Please schedule an appointment to discuss your general dentistry services today.