General dentistry is the main area in oral healthcare, providing many treatments to help maintain, restore, and enhance oral health. It is not limited to simple procedures. It also looks after diagnosing, treating, and preventing different mouth diseases and conditions. By providing routine exams and cleaning, as well as restorative procedures like fillings and extractions, general dentists look after the health of your mouth.
Dentists are key in your oral health journey because they can detect oral symptoms of serious health problems early, protecting the patient’s general health. General dentists support individuals by treating them individually and with evidence-backed advice for long-term oral health.
If you are looking for dental services, talk to Agoura Hills Advanced Dentistry. Our dental team is ready to help you.
What is General Dentistry?
The foundation of oral healthcare is general dentistry, the primary point of contact for individuals seeking to maintain, restore, and boost their oral health. Just as you have a family physician for your health, a general dentist is your “family doctor” for your teeth, gums, and mouth.
General dentists handle basic preventative work and treat various oral problems. They can spot the early signs of oral health issues, develop personal care plans, and carry out essential treatments. They help patients know how to care for their mouth, prevent future problems, and direct them to specialists when necessary. Because of its broad scope, general dentists can handle most dental issues and provide a whole-mouth approach to dental care.
Core Services General Dentists Provide
General dentists offer various services to address their patients’ oral health needs. These services include:
- Preventive measures
- Restorative treatment
- Emergency services
All these services help patients maintain the best oral health.
- Preventive Dentistry
Achieving and maintaining oral health depends on preventative dentistry, the first defense against dental diseases and conditions. Taking care of teeth regularly can stop problems early and maintain your teeth’s health, reducing the expense of more serious treatments.
Dental checkups and cleanings done regularly form the basis of preventative dentistry. When you visit a dentist for a checkup, they will carefully examine your teeth, gums, and mouth for any indications of decay, gum disease, or other problems. Professional cleanings performed by a dental hygienist remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing at home cannot remove. These visits should happen every six months or a year, based on what is needed for your oral health and risks.
Dental X-rays are beneficial for early detection in preventative care. These images help the dentist see areas not visible during a clinical examination, like tooth or gum decay, bone loss, and issues within the root. Modern dental X-ray machines emit very low levels of radiation, and the benefits of early detection of dental problems outweigh the minimal risks associated with exposure. Dentists rely on X-rays like bitewings, periapicals, and panoramic X-rays because they provide different views of your mouth.
Part of preventive dentistry is using fluoride treatment. Regular fluoride treatments are beneficial for children and those who often suffer from cavities. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars, thereby preventing tooth decay. These treatments can be applied topically in-office or recommended as a daily at-home regimen.
General dentists could recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of molars, particularly in children and teenagers, by preventing food and bacteria from getting trapped in the grooves. This thin layer of plastic is put on the grooves of back teeth to prevent food and bacteria from being trapped, creating a smooth area that is not easily damaged by decay.
During every routine dental visit, screening for oral cancer is important. Your dentist will look at and feel your face, neck, lips, tongue, and inside your mouth for any suspicious lumps, sores, or discolored patches that could indicate oral cancer. The earlier a problem is found, the better the treatment results.
Furthermore, you will receive personal tips on oral hygiene from your dentist or hygienist as part of preventative dentistry. They will show you the best ways to brush and floss, advise on suitable oral care products, and explain how your diet can affect your mouth. These personal instructions motivate patients to play an active role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums at home.
- Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is a vital part of a general dental practice, as it aims to restore damaged teeth by repairing and rebuilding them. Hence, they function, stay strong, and look attractive again. General dentists can handle various restorative procedures, aiming to preserve the natural teeth whenever possible. Some of the common restorative options include the following:
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are widely used to fix teeth damaged by cavities. Dentists clean the decayed area and then fill it with restoration material. Some of the most common types of fillings are:
- Amalgam fillings — These are silver-colored and made from a mixture of metals. They are strong and inexpensive, making them ideal for molars with vigorous chewing.
- Composite fillings — These are tooth-colored and can be matched with the natural color of your teeth, so they are best for front teeth. They bond directly to the tooth structure, thus ensuring good support. The material is chosen based on where the cavity is, the extent of the decay, and patient preferences.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, which are also called caps, are specially made to cover the entire visible area of a broken tooth. They help restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and look. Dentists usually recommend crowns for teeth with large fillings, fractured teeth, those that have had root canal therapy, or for changing the appearance.
Materials used for dental crowns include porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a blend and using porcelain or ceramic.
Dental Bridges
Dental Bridges are fixed devices that help replace missing teeth. Artificial teeth or pontics are held in place by dental crowns on healthy natural teeth or implants. A bridge restores your ability to chew, keeps the other teeth from shifting, and improves your smile.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a procedure that helps save a tooth whose pulp, the inside soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels, has been infected or inflamed by decay, cracks, or injury. While performing the procedure, the infected part of the pulp is taken out, the tooth is cleaned and disinfected, and it is filled and sealed afterward.
Modern root canal therapy is more comfortable due to advances in techniques and anesthesia, effectively alleviating pain and often eliminating the need for tooth extraction.
Dentures
Dentures are removable devices that substitute for several missing teeth and the surrounding soft tissues. There are two main kinds of dentures, namely:
- Complete dentures — When all the teeth in an arch are gone, complete dentures are used to replace them
- Partial dentures — These are used for people with some remaining teeth, which they attach to with small clasps or other connectors. They help restore chewing abilities, improve speech, and support facial aesthetics. To keep them comfortable and lasting, you need to take care of them and have them adjusted regularly.
While specialists, that is, oral surgeons or periodontists, handle the placement of dental implants, general dentists often start the treatment planning, direct patients to the specialists, and then fit the final crown, bridge, or denture to the integrated implant. This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care for tooth replacement.
- Cosmetic Dentistry
Several general dentists offer various cosmetic procedures to enhance a patient’s smile and protect oral health. While complex cases could need a specialist, numerous common cosmetic treatments are handled by general dentists.
Managing patients’ aspirations about cosmetic procedures is very important for dentists. Some standard procedures include:
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening or teeth bleaching is very popular among those seeking cosmetic dental treatments. It makes teeth appear brighter by removing the stains and discoloration caused by coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and aging. Several teeth whitening options are available from general dentists, including:
- In-office whitening — For in-office whitening, a high-concentration bleaching gel is placed on the teeth and activated by a light to make them very white
- Take-home whitening kits — These kits come with trays made for your mouth and strong whitening gel that you use at home, which takes days or weeks to produce the desired results
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a procedure that aims to repair minor tooth imperfections. A dentist applies a tooth-colored resin directly to the tooth, sculpts it, hardens it with a light, and polishes it to complete the procedure. Bonding is a way to mend chipped teeth, fill small gaps, change the shape of your teeth, or cover discoloured areas that are not severe.
Veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells, often made from porcelain or resin composite, and they are attached to the front of the teeth to improve their appearance. While some general dentists are skilled in placing veneers, if the case is complex or requires more work, it might be handled by a prosthodontist or a cosmetic dental specialist.
Veneers are used to resolve issues like:
- Severe discoloration
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Minor misalignment and odd-shaped or sized teeth
Veneers can result in a significant improvement to your smile.
Before applying veneers, general dentists will discuss the procedure’s suitability with patients and what the results will be to ensure they are satisfied.
Common Dental Issues General Dentists Handle
Besides preventative and restorative services, general dentists treat various dental needs and conditions. They are usually the first professionals patients see for any oral care. Some of the common dental issues they handle include:
- Gum Disease Treatment (Periodontal Disease)
Gum disease treatment is given great attention. General dentists can detect gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and periodontitis, the more serious stage. The first step in treating gum disease is usually to scale and plan the roots, which cleans above and under the gum line and makes the surfaces of the teeth smooth to stop bacteria from sticking.
You should expect some tips from the dentist on oral care. Dentists teach patients about good oral hygiene. Patients could be advised to see a periodontist for more serious or ongoing cases.
- Tooth Extraction
A tooth is removed during a tooth extraction if it is severely damaged by decay, trauma, gum disease, or is needed for orthodontic work. General dentists often do simple extractions, removing the tooth from view in the mouth in one piece. Impacted wisdom teeth, a more complex extraction type, are usually handled by an oral surgeon.
- Emergency Dental Care
Dealing with dental emergencies is an integral part of general dentistry. Emergency dental care can address severe toothaches, missing teeth, fractured or chipped teeth, abscesses, or lost fillings or crowns. Call your general dentist immediately for help and arrange an appointment if you face a dental emergency.
- Basic TMJ/TMD Pain Management
Managing basic TMJ/TMD pain is something general dentists handle. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) links your jaw to your skull, which can become painful when inflamed. This inflammation is referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
General dentists are trained to handle fundamental TMJ/TMD pain issues. General dentists can detect the main signs of TMJ/TMD and recommend bite guards, exercises, or painkillers for the initial treatment. When problems are severe or recurring, patients are often advised to see a specialist, an oral surgeon, orthodontist, or pain management specialist.
Furthermore, general dentists often offer mouthguards for a variety of uses. Among these are sports mouthguards custom-fitted to prevent dental injuries in sports and nightguards (occlusal splints) that help reduce the effects of bruxism, like tooth wear, jaw pain, and headaches.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits
Consistency in seeing the dentist is essential for your oral health. It greatly influences your oral and overall health. These regular visits help find and handle possible problems early, so they do not become more serious and expensive later.
Regular dental check-ups allow early detection of decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. While doing comprehensive exams, dentists and hygienists can detect early cavities, slight signs of gingivitis or periodontitis, and any lesions that could point to oral cancer. When these conditions are found early, the results are generally better, and patients may need less severe and more successful treatments. A small cavity can be repaired with a filling, but if it is not noticed, it may cause the need for root canal therapy or the tooth to be extracted.
Moreover, recent scientific research proves that oral and overall health are strongly linked. There is also a known relationship between diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and periodontal disease.
Ongoing inflammation in the mouth can worsen other health problems or help create new ones. Regular dental visits can manage oral inflammation, which could help prevent problems for your overall health. The American Dental Association (ADA) and California Dental Association (CDA) often remind us of the links between oral health and general health and encourage integrated healthcare methods.
Going to the dentist regularly helps find minor issues before they become expensive and complicated. Regular check-ups and quick restorations can often prevent more serious problems that require extractions, dental implants, or complex surgeries, which helps you save both time and money.
Regular dental visits help preserve both the appearance and self-assurance of your smile. Self-esteem and social life improve a lot with a healthy and well-kept smile.
What to Expect During Your General Dental Visit
When you go for a general dental visit, the process is designed to review your oral health and make a custom care plan. Understanding what will happen can make you feel more confident and enjoy your experience better.
Before your appointment, you should review your medical and dental history and provide your insurance details and history to the dental team. The team will verify your insurance and explain all the costs involved.
Usually, the visit begins with seeing your general dentist or a dental hygienist for an initial consultation. This is a good time to address any particular issues, problems, or hopes regarding your mouth health. Be open to make sure your needs are completely understood.
A complete check of your mouth will be done after the consultation. The careful inspection entails looking at your teeth closely for signs of decay, restorations, and wear. Your gums will be checked for signs of periodontal disease, for example, when they are inflamed or bleed. Your doctor will check the inside of your mouth for any problems in your tongue, cheeks, or palate.
If the dentist believes it is necessary, they could perform dental X-rays. The x-ray images allow dentists to see parts of the mouth inaccessible during a clinical checkup, like decay between teeth, bone health, and tooth root conditions. After the examination, your dentist will explain their findings and any treatments that may be necessary. This collaborative dialogue between you and your dentist will help you learn about your oral health and decide on the best care options. A treatment plan will be designed for you, which sets out the recommended procedures, their sequence, and how much they will cost.
This phase is especially designed to help you find answers to all your questions and handle your concerns. If you feel you are anxious about your dental visit, make sure to tell your dentist or dental team. You can find ways to manage anxiety, like practicing relaxation techniques, exploring sedation, or opting for a gentler kind of care. The main aim is to make you feel comfortable and confident during dental care visits.
Find a Dentist Near Me
General dentistry is fundamental for teeth, gums, and general health. Thanks to their preventative, repairing, and cosmetic services, general dentists help you keep your mouth healthy for life. Because they focus on early detection, personal treatment, and teaching patients, they help you avoid dental issues. Regular dental care is vital for looking after your most important asset, your smile.
At Agoura Hills Advanced Dentistry, we are ready to help you in your oral health care journey. Contact us today at 818-878-7300 to schedule your next appointment.