Signing up with a reliable family dentist such as Family Braces is a step towards ensuring better dental care for you and your family. What’s more, you will be able to take care of your teeth and gums on a consistent basis and even prevent possible serious dental problems. 

Here are the basic procedures you can expect from your family dental clinic’s dental professionals. 

1. Fillings 

Dental fillings are among the most common restorative measures for damaged and/or decaying teeth. Cavities or carriers, once started, can no longer be impeded from spreading wider, and transferring to adjacent teeth. According to this cosmetic dentist in Lafayette LA, a filling’s lifespan will depend on its material. For one, a gold filling can last 15 to 30 years, or even longer with proper care and maintenance.

Though they can be slowed down, the best way to approach this is to remove the parts of the teeth which are impaired or are decayed. Then, the holes are to be filled in with dental fillings. Fillings differ according to material type from composite resin, porcelain, gold, to silver amalgam, etc. 

2. Extractions

Whether due to an accident or due to cavities, tooth extractions are another common dental procedure. Only, instead of aiming to repair a tooth, they are removing the target tooth completely from the gumline. 

Extractions are considered a last resort especially if the said tooth is diagnosed as beyond the reach of dental restoration means. Having said that, extractions often play a role in other orthodontic operations, too. A tooth may be pulled out in order for an orthodontic device to efficiently work in aligning the rest of your teeth. 

3. Crowns 

A dental crown is a device that is “capped” over a tooth. It serves as a prosthetic replacement for the actual crown of your pearly whites. If the affected portion of a tooth is above the gum line, said regions can be filed down and cleaned. Afterward, a crown shall be bonded over it to protect the tooth from further damage. 

Even better (and depending on the material to be utilized in creating the crown), these prosthetics tend to offer higher durability against biting and chewing pressure.

4. Bridges 

Dental bridges are an option for completely replacing one to several teeth. Your Cross Creek Dental in Fayetteville NC may recommend the basic types of bridges in parallel to the condition of your oral cavity. 

For instance, traditional bridges require that the tooth gap be situated in between two healthy natural teeth. This is because the bridge’s abutments will be anchored onto said healthy teeth. On the other hand, a cantilever bridge requires only one healthy tooth for anchoring. 

Maryland bridges are for replacing tooth gaps on the front portion of your gum line. The pontic is fastened to a metal framework. Instead of having prosthetic crowns to hold the pontic down, the said metal framework will be fastened to the back of the teeth next to the tooth gap. 

Finally, an implant-supported bridge is the most invasive of the four, as it necessitates surgery. It is, however, the most near-permanent solution for tooth gaps. Once the implant is drilled into the gums and jawbone, it will fuse with your actual jawline over time. 

5. Dentures 

For replacing missing teeth, dentures remain a conventional yet still highly preferred dental apparatus. Full dentures are recommended for patients who have lost all of their natural teeth. Alternatively, partial dentures are for those who have a few remaining natural teeth next to tooth gaps. 

Since dentures are removable apparatuses, you will have to take them off the brush them properly. And with proper maintenance, your dentures can last for 6 to 10 years.

The things listed above are just some of the dental procedures that a family dentist can provide. For an extensive list of treatments that a dentist may offer, it’s best to call them before visiting personally. If you’re in search of a dental expert, you can check out this one that does fillings, bridges, and quality teeth whitening in Redwood City.