What Are the Most Common Dental Treatments Offered Today?

Approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide have at least one oral disease. Among such problems, tooth decay is the most prevalent. After all, as many as two billion individuals have caries in one or more of their permanent teeth.

Unfortunately, untreated oral diseases like cavities can lead to severe health woes. For instance, leaving tooth decay as is may result in life-threatening blood infections. Moreover, disorders of the mouth can cause discomfort, pain, and disability.

The good news is that many dental treatments now exist to combat oral health problems. We listed the most common ones below, so read on to discover your options if you have unhealthy teeth and gums.

Dental Cleanings

One study compared the oral health of people who went to their dentists every year with those who didn’t. The researchers discovered the former had fewer missing teeth compared with the latter. Those who had regular visits also had fewer decayed teeth and better oral health overall.

A likely reason is that regular dental visits include thorough teeth cleaning. It’s a dental procedure to remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing cannot. Dentists use specialized tools like descalers to dislodge tartar build-up on the teeth.

Tartar, also known as dental calculus, is the hardened version of plaque. It adheres to the teeth; hence, typical brushing and flossing can’t remove it. Either way, you don’t want it on your pearly whites, as it causes discoloration and can lead to dental decay.

That makes regular dental cleaning one of the best preventive dental procedures. Besides, it costs less than restorations and is usually painless.

So, to keep your teeth and gums healthy and tartar-free, check in with your local dentist at least once a year. If you like sweets or starchy food, bump that up to twice a year. Such foods promote faster plaque and tartar development.

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings restore decayed teeth by replacing the parts eaten away by bacteria. They come in various materials, such as amalgam, metal, composite, and ceramic.

If you have a decayed tooth, your dentist must first remove the diseased sections. After that, the doctor coats the tooth with medicine to protect it from future infections. Next, your chosen dental filling goes into the tooth and then undergoes curing to harden it.

Once cured, the hardened dental filling adheres to the tooth. With proper care and regular cleanings, you can expect the material to last five years or longer.

Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

If you have severe tooth decay, the gums and bones supporting it may become infected, too. That can result in inflammation and severe pain. Moreover, the bacteria can spread to the adjacent teeth and cause them to decay.

In that case, your dentist may recommend undergoing a root canal treatment. It involves removing the infection that has spread into the root canal. Don’t worry, though, as your tooth doctor applies anesthesia to numb the treatment area.

Root canal treatment, if done early, can save a severely decayed tooth from extraction.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are ultra-thin, shell-like coverings usually made of porcelain. They go on top of the front teeth, helping mask stains or discoloration. They also work as restorations for minor damages, such as if a small section of your tooth has chipped off.

Dental Crowns

Also called dental caps, dental crowns cover entire teeth from the front to the back and the sides. Unlike veneers designed for the front teeth, crowns work for premolars and molars. They are often the go-to method for severe tooth damage, such as if a massive section of your tooth broke off.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a specialized branch of the dental industry. Its focus is to diagnose and treat improper teeth and jaw positioning.

Dental braces are some of the most common orthodontic appliances used today. They help correct misaligned teeth and bites. You can follow this link to learn more about your adult and pediatric braces options.

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are the final resort for severe tooth decay that has spread to the gums. You may have to undergo this if you have a decayed tooth that a filling or a root canal treatment can no longer fix.

The best dentists only recommend extractions if there’s no other way to save the tooth. After all, adult or permanent teeth no longer grow back once removed. Thus, you’d have to deal with the empty spaces they create for as long as you live unless you get a tooth replacement.

Tooth Replacement

An estimated 120 million folks in the United States have at least one missing or lost tooth. Of that number, about 36 million no longer have any of their permanent natural teeth.

If you had a tooth extraction or lost one due to an accident, it’s vital to get it replaced. One reason is that the rest of your teeth can shift due to the space the missing one created. That can then lead to your teeth and bite becoming misaligned.

In addition, losing a permanent tooth can impair how you eat and speak. That can result in poor dietary habits or problems with how you pronounce words.

So, consider getting dentures, bridges, or dental implants to replace your lost teeth.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that addresses stained or discolored teeth. It involves applying a bleaching substance onto the teeth. A laser machine then activates the active whitening compound.

A tooth whitening procedure can make your teeth several shades lighter. However, many dentists only recommend it for otherwise healthy teeth. If you have untreated tooth decay, you must first have it treated.

Invest in These Dental Treatments

As you can see, many dental treatments can help prevent and treat oral diseases. So, if you suspect you have teeth and gum problems, see a dentist ASAP. The sooner you do, the sooner the oral health care expert can diagnose and treat your condition.

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