Feeling nervous about that visit to the dentist? You are not alone. It is a global affliction. You can, however, overcome your fear of the dentist’s chair if you have information on the kind of dental procedures that you are likely to face. These generally change from the simple and routine to the absolutely scary ones. Here is a look at five of the most common dental procedures:
Dental Fillings and Repairs
Dental fillings, also called tooth fillings or cavity fillings are used as a restorative dental procedure to restore parts of the tooth that have been damaged by tooth decay or even some traumatic injury. The fillings will help restore your teeth to its former function as well as shape.
The procedure involves the removal of the decayed section of the teeth, the cleaning of the affected part and the filling out of the cleaned out cavity with the filling material. Dental filling seals pathways for bacteria thus stemming off further tooth decay. Some of the filler materials used include porcelain, gold, silver fillings and composite resins.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is used in repairing infected teeth. The canals in the root of the tooth are cleaned out and sealed. During the procedure, the dead tooth pulp is extracted and the affected area cleaned out. The affected part is then shaped and filled using dental filling material and sealed. This is a very delicate procedure because the root canal contains the blood vessels and nerves. If the dead or infected pulp is not extracted well, the infection might spread out and infect the tooth. Root canal treatments will save your teeth from complete removal.
Bridges and Dental Implants
If you have lost a tooth or teeth, bridges or dental implants can be used to replace them. A bridge can be used to replace a single or more than one tooth. Bridges are the oldest of the two and involve prepping two adjacent teeth followed by the fabrication of a false tooth that has crowns that will fill the gap that was left behind by your missing tooth.
Dental implants however involve a more elaborate procedure. In this case, a metallic post or frame is surgically inserted into your jawbone below the gums. This will be the anchor on which new teeth will be added. Dental implants cut deeper and recreate the crown and root, thereby minimising bone loss and giving you well functioning teeth that you can use to eat and speak confidently. They are not only a stronger but also more permanent solution for tooth loss.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns provide protection over tooth or teeth that have been chipped or broken. They are caps that are placed over the damaged the whole tooth above the gum. The caps can be made from metallic materials or porcelain. The dental crowns will not only conceal the damaged part of the teeth and give you that desired “Hollywood smile” but they also strengthen your teeth.
Tooth Extraction
The image most people have of the dentist’s is someone sitting on a dentist chair and their teeth being pulled out. This is everyone’s worst nightmare but it is a fairly safe procedure. Tooth extraction involves the removal of the tooth right from its socket. Teeth can be extracted if they are badly decayed or badly damaged due to trauma. If the above procedures cannot restore your tooth, the dentist will recommend an extraction.
While there are some dental procedures such as tooth whitening or even dentures, the above by far are some of the most critical dental procedures. Modern advances in dentistry mean that most professional dentists can carry them out quite safely and successfully. However, you should always take time to look out for professional dentists in your area that you can entrust with serious dental problems.