Dental Procedures

Many people dread going to the dentist and usually expect visits to be unpleasant. This disdain for the dentist is partly the result of misinformation and a fear of the unknown. Below are descriptions of a few common dental procedures. While these may cause some discomfort, major advances in dental technology have made them far less scary and painful than you would expect.

Crowns & Bridges
Crowns and bridges are restorative procedures used to replace damaged or missing teeth. Using these special procedures and materials, dentists can create replacements that look just like real teeth. After preparing the teeth, molds are taken and sent to the dental lab where the crowns and bridges are made. At a second appointment the crowns and bridges are permenantly cemented in.

Fillings
Fillings are used to restore tooth structure that has been damaged by decay - a "cavity" is fixed with fillings. The decayed part of the tooth is removed and this space (cavity) is filled. The most common fillings are amalgam, better known as silver fillings. An amalgam is typically silver colored and is made with a mix of silver, tin, mercury and some other trace elements, such as copper. These are usually used on back teeth. For the more visible teeth, dentists often use other materials, such as a composite of porcelain and plastic. These fillings are tooth-colored, so they do not affect a person's appearance.

Prophylaxis (Prophy)
This technical sounding word is simply a teeth cleaning. During prophylaxis, the crowns of the teeth are scraped at the gum line and polished, removing plaque buildup and stains from the teeth. This is a very important procedure that should be scheduled on a regular basis (usually twice a year) since prevention is a very effective way to at least limit or entirely eliminate the onset of dental disease.

Root Canal Therapy
Many people squirm at the mention of a root canal. In fact, if you have a tooth abcess, a root canal is nothing compared with the alternative - tooth extraction. A root canal is a procedure that dentists use to save diseased or injured teeth. Rather than removing the damaged tooth, dentists only remove the nerve within the core of the tooth and fill the canal space with a sterile gum-like material. Many root canals are done by dental specialists called endodontists.

Cosmetic Dentistry
This includes any dental treatment or repair that is done to improve the appearance of the teeth or mouth. Treatments include orthodontics, bonding, veneers and teeth whitening.