A lot of people feel confused and overwhelmed when they think of dental procedures. They wonder what a root canal or extraction really is. Maybe this is because they’re afraid they’ll actually need the procedure, or perhaps they simply don’t know what the procedure is. Having information about these procedures can help alleviate fears and anxiety, and make your dental experience go a lot more smoothly. Below are details on five dental procedures which are extremely common in every dental office, including Josey Lane Dentistry’s local Carrollton office.
Fillings
This is one of the most often performed procedures in a dental office. First, your dentist might use one of many different methods to find out what – if any – tooth decay you have. This can include cavity-detecting dye and x-rays. If there is a surface-level cavity, your dentist will use silver metal or white composite materials to fill the hole and even out chewing surfaces. This means the cavity will no longer grow, and the tooth will be sealed off at the same time. If your teeth have any sort of trauma that has left them cracked or broken, they can also be filled.
Root Canals
A root canal is another of the most common dental procedures. Typically the tooth’s pulp – the tissue in the center of the tooth – has become inflamed or infected, so it is removed. The inflammation or infection can have many different causes: deep decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth, faulty crowns, or a crack or chip in the tooth. If a tooth is not treated or remains infected, there can be a buildup of pus which forms an abscess. Abscesses can actually destroy the bone around the tooth as well as be very painful. After having had a root canal, your dentist might want to put a crown on the tooth to create more protection, as teeth that are filled can break more easily than healthy teeth.
Dental Crown (Cap)
A crown permanently covers an existing tooth. It’s used if the tooth has decayed a lot or has chipped or broken. They’re also used after root canals for strengthening it. Typically, crowns are composed of metal, porcelain, or a combination of the two. If you come into the office for a crown your dentist starts by numbing the tooth and tissue around it with anesthetic. Then, the tooth getting the crown will be filed down to make room for the crown. If too much tooth is missing then your dentist will actually use filling material to build up the tooth to support the crown. After reshaping the tooth, your dentist will make a mold which she or he will send off to a dental lab to manufacture the crown. You will receive a temporary crown until the permanent one is delivered. On a second visit, your temporary crown will be removed, your tooth will be anesthetized again, and the new crown will be permanently cemented in place.
Bridges and Implants
These are two ways to replace a missing tooth or teeth. The first is a bridge, which is also called a fixed removable denture. This is a false tooth that attaches to the teeth on either side by using crowns. Bridges can be supported by natural teeth or implants.
The second way to replace a missing tooth is to use an implant. Implants look and act like natural teeth and also include the crown and root. They are metal posts or frames which go into the bone socket of the missing tooth. As healing takes place in the jawbone, it grows around the post which eventually anchors it well into the jaw. Dental implants actually fuse with the bone, so they do become permanent and feel like your own teeth.
Extractions
The last common dental procedure is an extraction. When a tooth has decayed or broken beyond repair, it need to be completely removed. You might also have an extra tooth pulled that blocks other teeth from growing in or have your dentist remove teeth to create space for braces. Wisdom teeth are often extracted due to pain or the lack of space in the oral cavity. According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, approximately 5 million people in the U.S. have their wisdom teeth extracted annually. Despite these numbers, extractions are typically a last option. If a tooth can be saved, then your dentist will try and do this first, using a filling, crown, or other treatment.
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. There are two types of extractions: simple and surgical. Both require a local anesthesia. A simple extraction is for visible teeth which can be removed by loosening the tooth and removing it. A surgical extraction, sometimes performed by an oral surgeon (and sometimes a general dentist), is for a tooth that has broken off or not broken through yet. The doctor makes a small cut into your gum to access the tooth and remove it. Typically anti-inflammatories are taken after the extraction and you have to be careful about food, drink, and keeping the area clean. Your doctor will give you specific instructions about after-care.
Have No Fear
Armed with knowledge, you hopefully have a better understanding of the above common dental procedures. Certainly no one wants to have these processes done, so the best measures for your mouth are preventative: brush and floss daily with the appropriate tools, and see your dentist regularly for checkups so as to nip any potential problems in the bud. If you do need a procedure, be sure to have it done as soon as possible at. You don’t want a small problem to grow into something larger.
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