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The Most Common Dental Care Services from a General Dentist

The common dental procedures done on patients are called general dentistry services. Such services include dealing with teeth decay and all the damages that ruined your pearly whites.  

These procedures are carried out by a general dentist. They make sure that every minor dental issue is discovered and dealt with before it completely ruins your bright and beautiful smile. 

Below, let us take a closer look at what a general dentist does and the common dental care services you can get from them.  

 

What Is a General Dentist? 

If you have common dental problems, such as tooth decay, the first person you need to set an appointment with is a general dentist. They usually check your tooth for cavities, gum diseases, and even oral cancer. When you visit them for a check-up, they will carry out dental prophylaxis or the process of thoroughly cleaning the teeth. 

A general dentist can help prevent small dental problems from becoming a larger concern. For instance, your general dentist can detect a deep cavity that will require fillings. You may not have had any idea about this cavity before your visit since you did not feel any discomfort. 

But if you had not gone for a general dentist check-up and left the cavity undiscovered and untreated, the next thing you know is that you will go through tooth removal or root canal process. In addition, your risk of tooth infection or abscess also increases. 

A general dentist may ask other questions about your teeth and gums. The reason is that general dentistry makes it possible to identify and address other health conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder, sleep apnoea, and migraines. 

 

 Common General Dentistry Services 

General dentists are all qualified to carry out various dental issues. However, they are known for specific procedures and services. It pays to know the common general dental procedures so you will not panic once you start feeling toothache.  

Below, we have listed some of the common dental services that you can get from a general dentist. 

1) Regular Dental Check-up 

Each one of us requires visiting the dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. General dentists are your go-to provider who will help you out on checking for any signs of tooth decay, and other dental or oral conditions. It is even possible that they can catch gum diseases in their preliminary stages before they become a huge problem later.  

They will check your mouth using dental instruments and oftentimes, they will take an x-ray of your mouth to see if you have underlying problems that cannot be seen by the naked eye. 

In the unfortunate event that you indeed have a dental problem, the general dentist will educate you about it, provide treatment options and discuss its corresponding costs, and whether you need a physician or a specialist. 

2) Cosmetic Dental Services 

Do you have aesthetic goals with your pearly whites? A general dentist can help you with that. But before you go to a cosmetic dentist and have a cosmetic procedure plan, a general dentist will first ensure that you do not have any existing dental issues, so you can proceed on with your aesthetic plans without worries. 

However, some general dentists can craft and install veneers. The reason is that most general dentists can perform the procedures that of specialists; however, it can depend on your current health and the complexity of the procedure. 

Some cases warrant someone who has more specific and specialised training to ensure the success of the procedure. Regardless of your case, it is necessary that you seek a general dentist first before going on a specialist. 

3) Filling and Restoration of Teeth with Structural Damage 

If you have a damaged tooth caused by trauma, wear, and tooth decay, a general dentist can provide the right treatment to avoid worsening or mitigate the existing damage. 

Suppose you have cavities and fortunately, its extent has not reached the pulp yet. Your dentist will apply dental fillings to prevent tooth decay from reaching the pulp and causing nerve damage. 

Various materials can be used as fillings, and these are amalgam, composite resin, silver, and gold. The dentist will consult you on which material you choose but will still give advice depending on your need. 

4) Custom Mouthguards and Night Guards 

General dentists can create a customised mouthguard for athletes who do contact sports. With mouthguards, the teeth, gums, lips, and jaw are protected from any form of trauma while playing sports. The higher the grade and thickness of the mouthguard, the better protection it will be for higher risk sports. 

If you find yourself teeth grinding throughout the day, especially at night, your general dentist will recommend you with a nightguard, also called a grinding guard or occlusal splint. Without night guards, you will unconsciously cause tooth-on-tooth abrasion and deterioration. 

5) Root Canal  

When you leave a cavity unfilled with tooth fillings, the damage will reach down to the pulp and then cause damages to the nerves. During this time, you will need a dentist who can carry out a root canal procedure. 

This procedure involves the process of removing the infected pulp before it can inflict further pain. After the removal process, it will leave the tooth hollow. The hollowed tooth is then filled before applying a crown that will prevent any further damage and infection on the tooth. 

 

General Dentistry Services? Set an Appointment with Chadstone Dental  

At Chadstone Dental Surgery, we provide basic and advanced general dentistry for you and your family. Such services include the application of dental fillings, mouthguards, dental x-rays, root canals, mouthguards, and nightguards.  

See to it that you only entrust your pearly whites to reliable dental care that offers general dental services, and that is with us, Chadstone Dental. Book an appointment with us by contacting us on (03) 9568-0222 or sending an email at info@chadstonedental.com.au so, you can get started right away.