What Are the Most Common Procedures Associated with Oral Health?
Preventive dentistry is very important. Preventive dentistry refers to any treatment that will prevent or minimize dental problems. Examples of preventive dentistry are filling cavities while they are small, fluoride treatment, proper home care, cleanings by the dental hygienists, mouth-guards, and orthodontics. [1]
Infection control is essential too, as doctors firmly believe in good in-office infection control. They adhere to a very high standard of instrument sterilization and treatment room cleanliness.
Gum treatment is very common since over 75% of all adults have some form of gum disease, which can range from minor gum redness to severe periodontal disease, where the gum disease has dissolved some of the jawbone. Most doctors want to prevent gum problems with preventive dentistry. If a patient has a gum disease, the doctor will outline a treatment plan so the gums and teeth can be healthy again. [2]
Root canals are a common procedure because teeth nerves do not respond well to trauma. The trauma to the nerve can come from deep decay, cracks, or a blow to the tooth. Root canals allow dentists to save teeth that would otherwise have to be removed. [3]
Extractions are also a treatment option, when nothing can be done but to remove an infected tooth. The doctor will perform it with a local dental anesthetic.
Other Dental Procedures
Bad breath or halitosis treatment is one of the most common dental procedures as well. The primary way to treat bad breath is to eliminate the plaque and bacteria from a patient’s mouth. A patient can do it alone by maintaining proper home care, in-office cleanings, other gum treatments, and tongue brushing. There are other sources of bad breath such as nasal and lung odors, which you have to evaluate with your doctor. [4]
Cosmetic dentistry includes any dental procedure that will make the patient’s teeth and a smile appear attractive and natural. A few of the cosmetic dental procedures in use today are teeth whitening, natural-looking white fillings, bonding, porcelain crowns and veneers, space closing, chip repair, replacing missing teeth, and natural-looking dentures. [5]
White non-mercury fillings are something relatively new. For years, dentists have placed silver mercury metal fillings. Some doctors now use bonded white resin fillings, which give the teeth a natural appearance. [6]
Teeth whitening is the most successful by making a customized clear tray that fits over the teeth. A special whitening gel is placed in each tray, and you should wear it for a few hours each day. The initial treatment time is 3-4 weeks, followed by a 1-2 day treatment every few months for a touch up to achieve best results. [7]
Natural looking crowns or caps help to repair broken or severely decayed teeth. The crowns are mostly made of porcelain, and in some cases, may contain some gold for strength.
Emergency treatment is also common, unfortunately. Common problems are toothaches, broken teeth, and dental abscesses.
Children's dentistry is very important because it is essential for children to have good dental treatment. Without early care, the child can experience pain, abscesses, severe decay, crowding, and damage to permanent teeth. Taking care of problems early on can save the parents a lot of time and money.
Dental implants are titanium cylinder-shaped devices placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth. They are more expensive than regular bridge work, but they do not require grinding on the adjacent teeth as the bridge work does. [8]
Permanent dentures are also a solution for some people, discussed in detail below.
What are dentures?
Dentures are Removable replacements for missing teeth, typically made out of an acrylic resin, at times incorporating porcelain or metal for additional structural support. These days, there are two main types of dentures: complete and partial. [9]
Your dentist should choose which one is appropriate in your case. Both complete and partial dentures are finely-crafted and custom-fitted. If you properly maintain your dentures, they will appear natural and provide the perfect smile that you always wanted.
Additionally, dentures help strengthen muscles controlling your expressions that require the support of your teeth. Dentures are likely to get rid you of pronunciation problems caused by missing teeth and aid with chewing as well.
Every person who has ever considered having dentures wishes to learn how the procedure is performed, how much permanent dentures cost, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of having them. Many of these people are looking for “before/after” photos of a patient with dentures. It is also desirable to read personal experiences from patients who have them. Finally, you should be able to discuss dentures with other patients and potential patients.
Who Is a Candidate for Dentures?
Everyone who has lost or is losing one or more teeth should consider a discussion about complete dentures with a cosmetic dentist. If some of your teeth remain healthy, a partial denture may be your way to a great smile. You should thoroughly discuss this procedure with your dentist, as there are several personal and medical factors to take into consideration. You may instead be a candidate for dental bridges, and dental implants as elective procedures, so complete permanent dentures may not be the only solution.
How to Successfully Complete Dentures
In some cases, the doctor will recommend that you extract additional teeth, and surgery may be necessary to improve the bony ridges that stabilize your dentures.
The procedure begins with a wax bite impression of your mouth that will give your dentist the exact measurements he needs. A try-on appointment will fine-tune the color, shape, and custom-fit that will suit you the best. After your dentist fabricates your final dentures, he or she will place them and inform you of their required care.
Pros and cons of dental implants and permanent dentures
As with any other procedure, there will always be opposing opinions. It is not easy to make the right decision when someone says it is a great choice, while others dislike it. Therefore, you should find the appropriate professional who will explain everything to you. Here you can read some pros and cons which we found as most common concerns related to permanent dentures.
Advantages of Permanent Dentures
As our life span increases, a permanent dental replacement becomes increasingly important. The truth is dentures and Removable bridges are usually loose and unstable. At the same time, implants provide you with dental replacements that are both natural looking and very functional and with the titanium implant that is grown into bone they imitate a natural structure of a tooth. Most people say that implants look much better and feel better than traditional Removable bridges. They also think permanent dentures offer the same force for biting as bridges fixed in place. Implants can last a lifetime, so this feature is something you should consider.
Disadvantages of Permanent Dentures
Implants are a significant investment, and they do not come without risk. We all know almost every procedure, every surgery, and every drug carries some risk of side effects and complications, and permanent dentures in the form of dental implants have the same problem. For most people, the greatest concern is the price. Extensive use of implants can cost tens of thousands of dollars to achieve an excellent result. It is also a very time-consuming procedure when having many implants placed. As this procedure is surgical, it is essential to research and find a well-credited cosmetic dental surgeon you will be comfortable with.
For some people there are varying degrees discomfort or pain; while it subsides in a couple of days, it is still an important detail to consider before having permanent dentures. As with similar types of surgery, bruising and minor swelling might also develop shortly after the procedure, and this is something many people dislike. Also, your dentist will need to replace the crown or false tooth in ten to fifteen years.
Tobacco smokers should be aware that smoking has a negative influence on general as well as on their oral health. The failure rate of implant osseointegration is considerably higher among smokers. [10]
As you can see, there is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not you should have permanent dentures. The best way to answer this is to talk to your dentist and consider your health and your wishes before making a decision. However, if you do decide to have the implants, be ready to wait a little bit to achieve the results you wanted to see.