Common Dental Procedures

by | Aug 26, 2016 | Dental Health

There are many different dental procedures; some are extremely complex while others are not. A general dentist in Downers Grove is capable of performing many, but like any profession, there are common procedures that the dentist performs day in and day out. The most common procedures include:

  • Fillings and repair: Teeth which are compromised due to decay or trauma can be repaired using various materials. The dentist has several methods which he or she can employ to determine if you have a cavity and if so, to what extent. Trauma often results in broken or cracked teeth, trauma does not always involve a blow; teeth can be damaged by excessive grinding, biting your finger nails or using your teeth as tools to open something. The most common material used by the dentist to repair damaged teeth is a tooth colored resin; this material is very strong and is mixed by the dentist to match the color of the patient’s teeth.
  • Extractions: There are times when the damage to a tooth, either from excessive decay or physical damage, will result in having to have it extracted. Although this is a procedure that is available to a general dentist in Downers Grove it is not one that is preferred. The dentist will try to save the tooth using a crown or filling, removing the tooth is the final option.
  • Implants and bridges: If a patient is missing one or more teeth the dentist has a couple of available options; fitting a bridge or a dental implant. As the term implies, a bridge is a dental appliance that is used to bridge a gap left by missing teeth. Dental implants consist of a titanium peg positioned in the jawbone, the implant acts as a “root” for a crown.

Other common procedures that a general dentist in Downers Grove deals with on a regular basis include professional cleanings, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and more.

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