General Dentistry and Dental Services in DeSoto Texas

When was the last time you attended a dental appointment? In case it was more than a year ago, you have to schedule a visit to have your teeth checked. Dental examinations are performed by general dentists, which provide various other services. Unlike dental specialists, general dentists focus on preventing, diagnosing, and treating dental issues. So visit the dentist near crown heights, NY, to have your check-up. Book an appointment soon.

Experts in general dentistry provide teeth cleaning, cavity fillings, root canal treatment, tooth extraction, diagnostic services, and other procedures to patients. Most dental offices in Texas, such as Lancaster Family Smiles of DeSoto, offer preventative, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency services.

Read more about the most common dental services in detail.

Dental exams and teeth cleaning

Diagnostic and preventative services are a constituent part of general dentistry. Texas residents are recommended to have their teeth cleaned and examined at least twice annually to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other dental conditions from developing. For instance, X-rays are a common diagnostics used to detect invisible damage.

Oral cancer screenings are recommended once annually to detect oral cancer. Such screenings are useful for diagnosing cancerous cells in the throat, mouth, lips, gums, tongue, and sinuses. In contrast, gingivitis screenings aim to detect gingivitis and periodontal disease, which might lead to bone loss if not diagnosed early.

The role of preventative dentistry is to maintain optimal oral health in patients by practicing regular plaque and tartar removal, stain removal, expert flossing, fluoride treatment, etc. By using tiny instruments, general dentists in Texas eliminate the accumulated plaque and tartar on the enamel, a treatment known as scaling. Afterward, teeth are polished with a gritty paste for stain removal and a shiny look.

Fluoride treatment, on the other hand, is used to prevent tooth decay. This mineral promotes enamel health and eliminates bacteria, applied in the form of foam, gel, or varnish. Click here to learn more about fluoride treatment.

Cavity fillings

Cavity fillings are a common dental service performed by general dentists in Texas. The purpose of dental fillings is to impede food and bacteria from entering spaces inside teeth, as well as fix any chipped or broken teeth. There are six classes of cavities, all of which might result in tooth loss. Besides toothache, cavities cause tooth sensitivity, holes, and dark stains.

General dentists in DeSoto, Texas, use three types of direct dental fillings made from different materials. For example, composite fillings are most popular in patients, as their color is almost identical to the color of natural teeth. Conversely, silver amalgam fillings are considered more durable, given their strong resistance to cavities. Anyhow, these aren’t capable of blending with the other teeth of patients, hence mainly used to repair the back molars.

Ultimately, glass ionomer fillings are tooth-colored but lack the durability of composite and amalgam fillings. The acids and glass particles used in their production can release fluoride, thus playing an important role in the prevention of cavities.

Root canal treatment

In the event of seriously damaged teeth, general dentists in Texas perform a root canal treatment. When the pulp of the tooth is inflamed or infected, dentists need to remove it for the tooth to function normally. The pulp chamber contains blood vessels, nerves, and tissue, sensitive to any kind of thermal stimulation.

Patients can easily recognize the signs of an infected pulp, such as throbbing toothache, abnormal sensitivity, gum tenderness, tooth discoloration, and a deep cavity. For a root canal procedure to be completed, patients must attend three appointments.

When visiting the dentist for the first appointment, the patient has his/her tooth numbed and the pulp extracted. Once the pulp is removed, the dentist applies gutta-percha to the root. During the second visit, the dentist cleans the root canal, seals it, and places a temporary filling. During the last appointment, a crown protects the tooth from further damage.

Tooth extraction

General dentists in Texas are trained in performing simple extractions, which usually require no special techniques for pulling a tooth out. These extractions involve no incisions, hence completed in a matter of minutes. Although general dentists are qualified to perform surgical extractions, these are better conducted by oral surgeons.

Surgical extractions are required in the case of broken or fragile teeth, involving a higher risk of complications. The risk depends on the tooth’s location, the length of the roots, and bone thickness. Additionally, many adults decide to have their wisdom teeth extracted, as these are infamous for causing dental problems.

Final thoughts

Everyone is supposed to have a family dentist to visit for regular check-ups and treatments.

Choose a professional you trust!