Canadians know that dental hygiene is intimately connected to your overall health. Over the last 40 years, we’ve seen major improvements in oral health and today 85.7% of Canadians visit the dentist regularly. Here is a look at eight of the most common dental procedures.
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The 8 Most Common Dental Procedures
1. Fillings
One of most commonly performed dental procedures, a dental filling will repair minor tooth decay. First, the dentist will use a small drill to clear away the rot. Then a metal or composite resin is used to fill in the hole. This is smoothed over to restore the look of an undamaged tooth.
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2. Whitening
It’s normal for teeth to lose their whiteness over time, but treatments to remedy this gave grown in popularity. Bleaching is the most common teeth whitening service dentists provide. This can be done in office using a special bleach and heat or light to activate it. You can also use a bleach-filled mouthguard at home or brush with a prescribed bleaching toothpaste. Bleaching should only be performed under a dentist’s supervision, to ensure safe and effective treatment.
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3. Orthodontics
Braces are one of the most recognizable dental treatments, and today come in a variety of colours and styles. These appliances are fitted to the teeth to rearrange their position in the mouth over long periods of time. If your teeth are misaligned, it can lead to problems chewing, muscle pain, and leave you more susceptible to breaking a tooth. Braces will also ensure a more healthy-looking smile.
4. Extractions
Tooth extraction is typically a last resort, as dentists would prefer to save the tooth if at all possible. However, removal may be a more acceptable option for a child’s baby teeth, as it will soon be replaced. Wisdom teeth are also commonly removed as they can cause crowding and discomfort in surrounding teeth. In this procedure, the dentist will remove the entire tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
5. Root Canals
If a tooth becomes infected, the injured pulp inside the tooth and its roots must be removed. The interior of the tooth is cleaned, then disinfected, re-shaped, filled and sealed with a rubber-like material. A filling or crown is then used to repair the opening on the outside of the tooth. Due to major advances in dental science, this once complex treatment is now quite routine.
6. Veneers and Bonding
These two procedures improve the aesthetics of your teeth by changing the shape, colour, or spacing. Bonding is a painless process that involves adding composite resin to the tooth where it needs to be built up. For example, a chipped tooth or a gap between teeth. With veneers, a layer of enamel is removed, and a thin porcelain shell is placed on the outside. This covers the original teeth with a flawless white smile.
7. Crowns
A dental crown is a permanent covering that is used to repair a damaged tooth. They can also be used to strengthen a tooth after a root canal. Crowns are usually made of ceramic, metal, or resin. Once you’re anesthetized, the tooth is filed down and a mold is taken. Your dentist will give you a temporary crown, and on your second appointment, replace it with a permanent, custom-made one. Now your tooth looks good as new!
8. Dental Implants
If a tooth is very heavily damaged or decayed, your dentist may choose to replace the tooth with a dental implant. These false teeth can be installed individually or in larger sections. First, a metal abutment is implanted in the jawbone, and once healed, a permanent crown is installed on top.
At Smile Well Dental, our dentists are experienced in each one of the above procedures. Learn more on our Services page or Contact Us directly.