What the Bentonville AR Dentists at Bright Ridge Dental Can Do for You
Most people will tell you that their general dentist is the one healthcare provider they see more than any other. This is not without good reason; general dentistry is uniquely designed for the prevention of oral diseases. This study reveals that nearly 65% of all dental procedures are either preventative or diagnostic. General dentists place a strong emphasis on hygiene and oral health, which enables patients to avoid the progression of dental ailments. If left unattended, dental diseases ultimately result in extreme pain, downtime from work or school and significant costs each year.
General dentistry is primarily concerned with providing routine dental care to people of all ages. For instance, at a routine visit to a Dentist in Bentonville AR, like Bright Ridge Dental, you will undergo a thorough examination of your mouth. This examination includes inspecting your teeth and gums among other oral structures, as well as a discussion about your dental and overall health. If your exam reveals tooth decay, your dentist will probably suggest a filling for the diseased tooth. While these procedures are the most common ones, they are hardly the only services provided by a dentist in Bentonville AR. Below is an overview of the services provided by these professionals.
Preventative services
These services are oriented towards helping you maintain impeccable oral health by stopping the invasion of diseases in your mouth. Regular exams that involve the use of diagnostic images like x-rays and teeth cleaning are the cornerstone of preventative dental care. Your Bentonville dentist at Bright Ridge may recommend the use of sealants among other preventative treatments. The dentist could also fit you with a custom-made mouth guard, particularly if you lead an active lifestyle.
Restorative Services
If your Bentonville AR dentist discovers that you have a problem, they will ensure that you receive timely and appropriate treatment. The most common and highly effective dental restoration procedures involve the removal of tooth decay after which a filling is placed in the affected tooth. Our Bentonville dentists also provide prompt treatment for dental trauma caused by a loosened, broken or knocked-out tooth. These dentists are also tasked with diagnosing and treating the causes of periodontal disease as well as tooth pain. They also provide solutions for missing teeth by fitting you with dentures and placing crowns or bridgework. More advanced solutions provided by the Bentonville dentists include orthodontics, root canal therapy and dental implants as discussed below.
Fillings and Repairs
Your Dentist in Bentonville AR will use restorative dental materials to repair a tooth that is suffering from decay or trauma. To determine the severity of the tooth condition, your dentist will take x-rays and perform testing as well as a clinical exam. Tooth trauma can often manifest in the form of broken or cracked teeth and can be caused by grinding, nail-biting or opening items. Repairs and fillings are done using composite materials made from resin that looks and feels like natural teeth.
Root Canals
A root canal is the removal of the tooth’s diseased, damaged or dead pulp tissue. The pulp is a tiny, thread-like tissue located in the center of the tooth. After its removal, the space is left, which is subsequently cleaned and shaped before it gets filled. The pulp contains nerves, veins, arteries and lymph tissue. When it begins to decay, the tooth becomes exposed to infection and begins to ache.
Pulp damage can be caused by a cavity, cracked teeth, and injury to the tooth. If root canal procedure is not executed, your tooth could end up being extracted. The infection could also cause pus build up at the root tip and in the jawbone. This condition is called an abscess and can cause pain and destroy the bone area around the tooth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, also known as caps, are used to protect cracked, broken and damaged teeth. The crown encapsulates the tooth to prevent further breakage and damage. Crowns can be made from porcelain or metal and a combination of other dental restoration materials. Apart from enhancing your oral appearance, crowns add strength and can hold dental bridges to your teeth.
Implants and Bridges
Implants and bridges are two popular ways of replacing missing teeth. Also known as a fixed partial denture, a bridge is used to replace one or two missing teeth. Although there are different types of bridges, the most common one is the fixed bridge, which is cemented into place. This one consists of superficial teeth that have crowns attached on either side. It fills up the space left by the missing tooth and can be supported by either natural teeth or implants.
Implants are metal posts that are surgically positioned in the jawbone beneath your gums and mimics a natural tooth root. A crown is then attached to the implant which restores the area where the missing tooth was. Dentures can also beanchored by implants making them more stable and comfortable.
Tooth Extractions
This procedure involves the extraction of teeth from their sockets. There are numerous reasons for teeth extraction with the common ones being extreme decay or damage. Before the tooth is extracted for these reasons, a dentist in Bentonville at Bright Ridge Dental will try to use all tooth repair means, which leaves this procedure as the last option.
Teeth can also be extracted to unblock incoming teeth and to make room when teeth are being moved into place. This procedure is mostly done to people who need braces. Sometimes, wisdom teeth can be extracted after or before they come in. The extraction of teeth before they grow often occurs when they become impacted in the jaw. You should consult with your dentist to know the best options available to you.
Orthodontics
This is a branch of dentistry that corrects improperly positioned jaws and teeth. Crooked teeth and those that don’t fit together are harder to clean, a difficulty that increases the risk of losing them early. The improper fitting of the jaws could also lead to difficulty in chewing, which can lead to headaches, TMJ syndrome as well as back, shoulder and neck pain. Teeth that are crooked and improperly positioned can also poorly affect your overall appearance.
Visit one of our qualified dentists who can determine whether orthodontics treatment will be of benefit to you. Based on the results from their diagnostic tools that include special X-rays, dental health history, clinical exam, photographs and plaster models of your teeth, an orthodontist can create a treatment plan for your condition. People who qualify for this kind of treatment are those suffering from under, cross, open, and over bite problems as well as misplaced midline and teeth crowding. A newer orthodontic treatment option is Invisalign, which uses clear trays instead of traditional metal brackets to straighten your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment involves both fixed and removable appliances. These appliances are used to retrain muscles, move teeth and correct the growth of the jaws. They operate by placing gentle pressure on the jaws and teeth. The severity of your condition will dictate which orthodontic approach will be taken.
Cosmetic Dentistry
While conventional dentistry places emphasis on oral hygiene, and diagnosing and treating oral diseases, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the overall appearance of your smile, mouth, and teeth. Cosmetic treatments also provide restorative benefits such as dental fillings.
In the past, amalgam, gold and other materials that left dark spots on the teeth were used to treat decayed teeth. Today, dental fillings can be considered cosmetic because they allow you to select some materials that match the color of your teeth. These include porcelain and other composite ones. Below are other important cosmetics dentistry procedures that are available for you.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and Onlays, also known as indirect fillings are made in a dental laboratory and are used on teeth that have mild to moderate decay. These indirect fillings are also used when a tooth does not have enough structure to support a normal filling. Inlays are placed when there is no damage on the cusp, while onlays are used when the cusp or a huge portion of the teeth is damaged. You need to keep in mind that onlays cover the entire tooth surface.
Inlays and onlays are usually made from a composite resin material. The dentists in Bentonville AR at Bright Ridge Dental use adhesive dental cement to attach them to your teeth. Apart from improving the aesthetic appearance of your teeth, they support, strengthen and prevent further decay while restoring the shape of your teeth.
Composite Bonding
This refers to the repair of damaged, discolored or decayed teeth using a resin material that resembles the exact color of your tooth enamel. Your Bentonville AR dentist will remove the diseased tooth structure and apply the composite on its surface before curing it with high-intensity light. Bonding is used to effectively cover the tooth’s damage, which gives it a healthy appearance. Composite bonding is one of the cheapest cosmetic dentistry procedures that are available for people who have chipped, decayed and cracked teeth. It is also effective for teeth with worn-down edges.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are made of medical grade ceramic. They are also made individually and are customized for every patient to resemble their natural teeth. Apart from appearing super realistic, dental veneers can solve a wide array of dental cosmetic problems, which include crooked teeth, damaged or cracked enamel and big gaps between teeth. Using a dental adhesive, your dentist will apply veneer on the front of each tooth.
Teeth Whitening
Also referred to as teeth bleaching, this is one of the most basic and common cosmetic dentistry treatments. The process involves cleaning tartar, plaque, and other debris from your teeth’s surface to restore their natural appearance. Teeth bleaching can also be used to achieve a lighter shade.
Over time, teeth can become worn and stained from food, medication, drinks and also personal habits such as drinking and smoking. Whitening the teeth can be done in the dental office or from the comfort of your home. Patients can also use tooth whitening products, which will typically take a few weeks to achieve the desired results.
Dental Implants
Tooth implants are used to replace lost teeth. Your dentist will insert a titanium screw into the jaw at the same place where the lost tooth was located. The screw will serve as a support for the replacement. These implants resemble your natural teeth and become permanent when the bone and supporting tissue fuse with them.
Overall Health Concerns
In more than one way, your oral health is perceived as a reflection of your general health. There are certain dental problems that indicate underlying issues in particular parts of your body, and the reverse is true. For instance, if oral infections are left unattended, they lead to poorer control of diabetes, complications during pregnancy and increased incidences of cardiovascular disease. Dentists in Bentonville are well trained to identify such and other issues, and subsequently provide appropriate treatment or even referral if need be.
Among the most special concerns for the majority of patients is obstructive sleep apnea. This potentially deadly condition is sometimes treated by dentists using an oral appliance. General dentists are also capable of offering nutritional counseling and imparting advice about tobacco cessation among other health and wellness information.
Conclusion
If you are wondering how often you should see your dentist in Bentonville AR, the answer is every six months. This is necessary for preventative services in addition to addressing your oral health concerns. When it comes to routine dental appointments, you will want to know that there isn’t a single schedule that fits all patients. Therefore, depending on your particular circumstances, your dentist could instruct you to see them twice a year or even every three months. Whatever the case, keeping up with the recommended schedule while practicing effective oral hygiene at home will help you to maintain a bright, healthy smile. Reach out to the dentists at Bright Ridge Dental to schedule your routine dental visit!
