Today there are more ways to protect your smile and your dental health that at any time before. From basic procedures all the way through dental surgery that can be done on an outpatient basis, your dental professional can correct a number of problems and ensure they don’t trigger more issues elsewhere in the body. At the same time, many of them make it much easier to flash a beautiful smile. Here are some examples of procedures that may be right for you.
Dental Implants
Did you know that there are two different approaches to dental implants? If you have some teeth missing or are about to lose all your teeth, rest assured your dental professional will talk with you about both options. Each approach provides benefits that you will enjoy for a long time. In fact, you may never need to replace those implants once they are in place.
Root Canals
Root canals can correct a number of potential issues. The process often involves removing some of the pulp or the root to alleviate pain and prevent the spread of inflammation. While you will need sedation for this type of dental surgery, today’s methods make it possible to undergo the procedure and go home all in one day. While you still need someone along to do the driving, many people experience no more than minor discomfort in the days following a root canal. Best of all, the pain you felt before the procedure is gone.
Teeth Straightening
Just as people may receive dental implants at many different times in life, it’s also possible to have your teeth straightened even if you are no longer a youth. Perhaps it may be necessary to remove a molar to eliminate crowding and then wear some type of retainer or brace for a period of time. The good news for adults is that there are clear aligners that can have the teeth in perfect alignment in a year or so.
Extractions
When a tooth is in such poor condition that it cannot be saved, the most practical solution to to extract it. This form of dental surgery is relatively simple and straightforward. You are likely to need nothing more than a local anesthetic to deaden the gum around the base of the tooth. While you will need to take it easy the rest of the day, getting rid of a tooth that is basically nothing more than an empty shell is one of the best things you can do for your health.
Fillings and Crowns
Perhaps the decay has not yet consumed most of the tooth. In this instance, a dentist can remove the decayed portion, fill the space, and then top off the tooth with a crown. As with the extraction, this procedure can be done in the dental office and you can go home in a few hours. The filling and crown certainly improve the look of your smile, and eliminates one potential risk of inflammation and infection.
Teeth Cleaning
Teeth cleaning is sometimes viewed as an optional procedure. This line of thinking holds that if you brush and floss regularly, there is no need for a professional cleaning. That’s not the case.
While the brushing and flossing does quite a bit to remove residue from teeth, there is still some that’s difficult to reach on your own. During the cleaning, a professional gets into the tiny spaces between teeth and other nooks and crannies in the mouth where residue and bacteria are still present. This is usually done by a qualified dental hygienist.
The cleaning goes a long way toward reducing the risk of cavities, helps to minimize the potential for losing enamel, and in general keeps your teeth healthier. That means you are less likely to need dentures or implants even when you are older.
These are only a few of the procedures that modern dental professionals offer. What would help improve your dental health and improve your smile? Schedule a check-up with your dentist today and find out if anything needs to be done right now. Whether it’s a cleaning, an extraction, one of the forms of dental implants offered today, or some other procedure, your dentist will be happy to tell you why it’s needed, and how you will benefit from the work.
