If you’re feeling tooth pain or discomfort but you’re unsure of what to expect from your dental appointment, you’re not alone. Though many Bakersfield dentists offer a wide range of standard and cosmetic procedures, many common tooth complaints can be solved by these five most sought out dental treatments.
Performing common dental procedures becomes almost second nature to experienced dentists. Choose a dentist who makes you feel at ease, exudes professionalism, and explains exactly what to expect from your dental treatment and why it’s necessary.
1. Dental Implants
Dental implants are growing in popularity as they serve both medical and aesthetic purposes. Implants are primarily used to replace missing teeth or teeth damaged by tooth decay and are designed to be a permanent solution due to their durability.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that replace missing or broken teeth. Placing an implant can take anywhere between three and nine months and involves two main phases after your tooth (or teeth) have been removed:
1) Your dentist will place the dental implant—a titanium screw—into your jawbone during a minor operation. This will act as the anchor for a crown that’s placed on top and functions as your new tooth. Over the next few months, your jawbone will grow around the implant and hold it in place. This process is referred to as “osseointegration.”
2) While the implant site is healing, the crown will be made to perfectly fit the gap in your teeth. Your dentist will then fix the crown in place using a connector called an “abutment.” Your new tooth should perfectly mimic a natural tooth in shape, texture, color, and function.
Why Are Dental Implants Important?
Losing one or more teeth isn’t only an aesthetic problem; it can also cause several different health problems which can be prevented with timely treatment. Losing teeth can cause bone loss which in turn causes your remaining teeth to shift. This can result in a worsened ability to chew, speak, and bite and can cause discomfort. Bone loss in the jaw can also lead to an aged, sunken facial appearance.
Do Dental Implants Hurt?
Your dentist will give you an anesthetic during your dental implant treatment. You should therefore feel minimal discomfort throughout your procedure. If you’re worried about any part of your treatment, speak to a dentist who offers sedation dentistry. According to Bakersfield dental implant specialist Dimitri Salin, “sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients who have dental fears or an overactive gag reflex.”
How Long Do Dental Implants Last?
A 2021 study concluded that 94% of dental implants survived at least 15 years. Dental implants can therefore be considered a long-term—if not permanent—solution. That said, implants’ survival rates depend on careful and constant care over their lifetime. Diligently adhere to any follow-up care instructions your dentist gives you to lengthen your implants’ life.
2. Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover the entire surface of decayed, broken, worn-down, or weak teeth to restore them to their natural size and shape. They can also cover other dental treatments like dental implants or root canal-treated teeth if necessary.
Crowns are typically made from resin or porcelain and last between five and 15 years with proper care. Your dentist may recommend crowns when teeth can’t otherwise be restored with other treatments like fillings, inlays, or onlays.
What’s the Difference Between Crowns and Dental Implants?
A dental crown is a cap that covers an existing tooth while a dental implant replaces the entire tooth. Crowns require less work to place than implants, meaning they’re a more cost effective option than implants. However, they don’t provide a solution to replace missing or extensively damaged teeth.
3. Dental Cleaning
Dental cleaning is an affordable but essential part of oral hygiene and tooth decay prevention. This is because regular brushing and flossing may not be enough to prevent a build-up of plaque and tartar that can affect your oral health.
Professional dental cleanings are recommended twice a year along with an exam and X-rays. This will allow you to stay on top of your dental hygiene, maintain healthy gums, and prevent extensive tooth decay that requires more costly treatment down the line.
4. Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is required when a tooth’s pulp is infected, inflamed, or even dead. This treatment is necessary to save a severely infected or damaged tooth and treat the significant pain associated with an infected tooth. Root canals are especially important as just one bad tooth can impact the health of the surrounding gums and teeth.
During root canal treatment, your dentist will carefully remove the infected part of your tooth and nerve. They will then clean the area, fill it, and seal it. Maintaining good oral hygiene will be key to keeping the area clean and infection-free after your surgery.
Is Root Canal Treatment Painful?
Root canal treatment isn’t painful, but may cause a minimal amount of discomfort. Choosing a trusted dentist is important when having delicate procedures done, especially if you’re uneasy in the dentist’s chair. Rest assured that root canal surgery is a standard and common procedure that a professional dentist will perform with assurance.
5. Cavity Fillings
A cavity is a damaged area in a tooth that’s often caused by poor dental hygiene, over-consumption of sugary food or drinks, and bacteria. It’s critical to treat cavities when they happen because if they’re left untreated, your tooth decay and oral health will worsen.
The treatment for a cavity is the placement of a composite or porcelain filling. Your dentist will numb the area around the tooth then remove the decayed part of the tooth before it’s cleaned and shaped. The composite or porcelain filling will then be inserted, compacted, and polished to leave a flawless result.
What’s the Difference Between Fillings and Root Canal Surgery?
Fillings and root canal surgery are both used as a solution for decayed teeth. However, root canal surgery is used when the decay to the tooth is extensive. Patients should ideally go to the dentist to receive cavity fillings before the decay spreads and requires root canal surgery.
Why Are Fillings So Important?
Fillings are a crucial part of long term oral hygiene as tooth decay can lead to other health problems like gingivitis or periodontal disease. For this reason, it’s best to see a dentist as soon as you detect a problem. Apart from saving you a significant amount of pain and discomfort, nipping tooth decay in the bud may well save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for more extensive dental work.
Look After Your Oral Health for a Radiant Smile
Constant oral care, including brushing, flossing, and attending regular check ups, is a hugely important step in looking after your oral health. Undergoing dental procedures as soon as they are needed will also reduce your chances of developing problems that require costly solutions further down the line.
Finding a trusted dentist will also play a huge role in maintaining your oral health and a flawless smile. Consult a Bakersfield dentist about how common dental treatments can help you stay healthy, happy, and with a beautiful smile on your face!