YOUR NORTH VANCOUVER DENTISTS
General Dentistry Services
Are you aware of the critical role that general dentistry plays in maintaining your oral health? From routine cleanings to more complex procedures, general dentistry services ensure that your teeth and gums remain healthy throughout your life. Explore the wide range of services that general dentists provide, and the importance of each in preserving your oral health.
Key Takeaways
Comprehensive General Dentistry Services
General dentistry encompasses a vast array of treatments designed to maintain and improve oral health. At the heart of our practice is a team of highly skilled and compassionate dental professionals dedicated to providing top-notch preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services. Whether you’re due for a routine check-up, seeking preventive care, or addressing specific dental concerns, our commitment to excellence in general dentistry ensures that you receive the highest standard of care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Common general dentistry services include:
General dentistry aims to prevent, diagnose, and treat various oral health issues. Regular visits to a general dentist can help ensure the health and longevity of your teeth and gums.
The four primary areas of general dentistry are preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. Each area focuses on a specific aspect of oral health, ensuring that your teeth and gums remain in top condition. The subsequent sections will provide an in-depth examination of professional teeth cleanings, diagnostic X-rays, and root canal therapy, underscoring their impact on optimal oral health.
Professional Teeth Cleanings
Professional teeth cleanings play a key role in sustaining oral health and dental hygiene, by eliminating plaque and tartar build-up on teeth that could otherwise cause cavities, gum disease, and other significant problems. Regular teeth cleanings not only contribute to the longevity of your natural teeth but also promote overall well-being by reducing the risk of systemic health issues associated with poor oral health. Trust Pier Dental Centre to provide unparalleled expertise and care in every teeth cleaning session, as we strive to make your journey to a healthier, more radiant smile an enjoyable one.
These cleanings are typically performed by dental hygienists, who use a range of tools such as:
These tools are used to eliminate plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth, ensuring a comprehensive cleaning.
The American Dental Association recommends that professional teeth cleanings be conducted every six months. The procedure typically includes a physical examination, removal of plaque and tartar, cleaning with a gritty toothpaste, expert flossing, rinsing, and application of a fluoride treatment. The benefits of fluoride treatment after teeth cleaning are numerous, ranging from replenishing minerals on tooth surfaces and strengthening tooth enamel to preventing cavities and tooth decay, resulting in financial savings.
Diagnostic X-Rays
Diagnostic X-rays in dentistry are radiographic images of the teeth and surrounding tissues that dentists use to assess oral health. These X-rays assist dentists in identifying:
These abnormalities may not be apparent during a standard dental examination, making diagnostic X-rays a vital tool for early detection and treatment of dental problems.
The utilization of diagnostic X-rays in dentistry offers several advantages, such as:
Regular diagnostic X-rays help ensure that any potential oral health issues are caught early, preventing more severe problems and costly treatments down the line.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy is a dental treatment for damaged or infected teeth, involving the removal of affected tissue and then filling and sealing the tooth. This procedure helps prevent further damage to the tooth and alleviates the need for extraction. Tooth pain or sensitivity may indicate an infection or damage to the tooth, necessitating a dental visit.
Root canals typically include:
- Preparing the infected area
- Accessing and cleaning the roots
- Shaping the canals
- Filling the canals with a dental material
If you have queries regarding root canal therapy or any other general dentistry procedure, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment.
Your North Vancouver General Dentist
At Pier Dental Centre, our North Vancouver general dentists provide a range of services including preventive care, restorative treatments, and cosmetic dentistry. Take a look at our comprehensive approach to general dentistry:
Preventive Care
Preventive care in dentistry helps stop dental issues before they even start. This includes regular check-ups, cleanings, and fluoride treatments, which play a crucial role in preventing dental problems and reducing the need for more serious treatments later on. Educating patients about their oral health is also a big part of preventive care, helping them understand how to take care of their teeth and gums on a daily basis.
General dentists offer preventive measures like tooth sealants and fluoride treatments to shield teeth from decay and cavities. These quick and painless treatments create a protective layer on the chewing surfaces of teeth, preventing cavities and stopping plaque and food from building up in the grooves and crevices. This not only minimizes the risk of tooth decay but also helps maintain overall oral health.
Restorative Treatments
The procedure for placing dental fillings typically involves the following steps:
- Numbing the tooth and surrounding area
- Removing decayed or damaged tooth structure
- Preparing the tooth surface
- Applying the filling material
- Bonding the filling to the tooth surface
- Shaping and polishing the filling to complete the process.
Dental bridges and full and partial dentures are additional restorative treatments that help replace missing teeth, enabling patients to maintain an aesthetically pleasing and natural look, as well as a comfortable fit.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized branch that focuses on improving the visual appeal of a patient’s smile. This involves various treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding, all aimed at addressing aesthetic concerns related to teeth, gums, and jaw alignment to enhance the overall appearance of the smile.
Teeth whitening treatments in cosmetic dentistry use gels containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break up surface stains on teeth, reducing their color concentration and resulting in a brighter, whiter smile. Although the effects of teeth whitening procedures typically last between 2-5 years, it’s important to note that teeth may become stained again over time due to dietary and external factors.
Oral Surgery in General Dentistry
Oral surgery in general dentistry includes tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removal, and gum grafting, which address various dental issues. General dentists can provide minor oral surgeries, such as wisdom tooth extraction or tooth removal, to keep oral health in top condition.
Tooth extraction is typically necessary in cases of:
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom tooth removal is a surgical procedure aimed at extracting one or more wisdom teeth. This procedure is typically carried out in the dentist’s office, where the dentist ensures a pain-free experience by numbing the area beforehand. This approach guarantees that patients do not experience discomfort during the removal process, providing a smooth and efficient procedure.
Gum Grafting
Gum grafting is an oral surgery procedure that involves adding a small amount of new tissue to an area with insufficient or absent gum tissue. This helps safeguard the roots of the teeth from issues such as sensitivity, damage, and other oral health concerns resulting from gum recession. By addressing these issues through gum grafting, the procedure contributes to overall oral health and ensures the protection of the teeth’s vital structures.
Dental Implants: A Solution for Missing Teeth
Dental implants provide a long-lasting solution for missing teeth by replacing the tooth root and providing a stable foundation for artificial teeth. These implants offer the following benefits:
The dental implant procedure involves surgically placing the implant into the jawbone and fusing it to the bone for a secure foundation. Alternative treatments for missing teeth include dental bridges, gum disease treatments, dentures, and partial dentures, but dental implants offer a more permanent and secure solution for those seeking to restore their smile.
Children’s Dentistry: Establishing a Foundation for Lifelong Oral Health
Children’s dentistry focuses on laying the groundwork for lifelong oral health through routine dental visits, cleanings, and preventive treatments. Services provided include regular dental check-ups, cleanings, and preventive procedures like teeth cleanings, sealants, cavity fillings, and tooth removal.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a child’s first dental visit within 6 months of the first tooth eruption or by one year of age. Regular dental visits are crucial to ensuring the health of children’s teeth and gums, preventing potential issues from developing.
Early detection and treatment are key to ensuring children maintain a healthy smile throughout their lives.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits
It is recommended to have dental check-ups, typically every six months, as they are key for early identification and management of oral health problems. Many oral health conditions can become severe before causing any pain, making regular check-ups essential for preserving optimal oral health.
Skipping regular dental check-ups could increase the risk of:
As a result, habitual dental visits play a vital role in maintaining optimal oral health and averting severe complications and expensive treatments in the long run.
Dental Insurance and Payment Options
Dental insurance often covers general dentistry services, such as routine check-ups, cleanings, and restorative treatments. Providers such as Sun Life, Pacific Blue Cross, GMS Dental Insurance, and Canada Life offer coverage for general dentistry services. The provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) only covers medically necessary procedures and does not provide coverage for routine general dentistry or most restorative dentistry.
For those without dental insurance, out-of-pocket costs for general dentistry services can vary depending on the specific service required. Generally, a routine dental cleaning can cost between $75 and $200, while fillings can range from $90 to $250 for one to two teeth. By understanding the different payment options available, you can ensure accessible dental care for yourself and your family.
Summary
From professional teeth cleanings and diagnostic X-rays to root canal therapy, North Vancouver general dentists are proficient in the full gamut of oral health services. With regular dental visits, preventive care, and restorative treatments, you can ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
