What are the Most Common Dental Procedures

When you enter a dentist’s office, there are a number of procedures you can undergo. In order to keep your mouth healthy, the field of dentistry encompasses a wide range of these procedures, all of them developed to help you on the task of restoring the function of your teeth and enhancing the appearance of your smile. 

But which of these procedures are the most popular these days? Let’s break them down into categories as we find out more about them.

Dental Cleanings

These are at the top of the list because they are the number one procedure that dentists perform on their patients. Routine cleanings are usually recommended every six months, and they involve the removal of plaque, tartar, and stains from the teeth. 

If you visit your dentist regularly, the professional will be able to assess your oral health and detect any issues early on, as well as recommend appropriate treatments. This is the basic care that is provided for your teeth, and it’s good to keep track of how often you consult with a dentist to have a healthy mouth.

Fillings

Dental fillings are designed to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay or minor fractures. When you visit your dentist and they detect any problems related to it, they will recommend these fillings as a first course of action against damage.

Common filling materials include amalgam (silver-colored), composite resin (tooth-colored), gold, and porcelain. Almost everyone knows someone who has fillings on their teeth, and regular cleanings are one of the best ways to stop the damage that has already started from spreading. 

Root Canal

Performing root canal therapy is often a solution to treat infected or inflamed dental pulp – that’s the innermost part of the tooth. When people mention getting a root canal treatment, we often imagine it as a complicated and painful process, but in general, the patient shouldn’t feel much pain, as the area is under anesthesia.

During the procedure, the infected pulp is removed, and the root canal system is cleaned, disinfected, and sealed to prevent further infection. After the process, there is a chance the patient might feel some soreness in their mouth, but if performed correctly, the discomfort should pass in a few days.

Extractions

It is unfortunate to have to extract a tooth, but this process may be necessary for teeth that are severely decayed, damaged beyond repair, impacted (and unable to erupt properly), or causing overcrowding in the mouth.

In this category, we can also include wisdom tooth extractions, which are fairly common in cases of impaction or crowding. It is a process that should be painless, although it requires dedicated care during the recuperation process, as the area might be sore until it’s completely healed.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns or caps are custom-made restorations that cover and protect damaged or weakened teeth. They are supposed to restore the shape of the tooth, its size, and strength, while also giving the appearance that they were always there.

These crowns can be made from different materials, like porcelain, ceramic, or alloys, and they provide long-term durability and functionality.

Dental Bridges

If you have missing teeth, dental bridges may be one of the solutions to your problem. They anchor artificial teeth, called pontics, to the adjacent natural teeth or other implants.

You can imagine how terrible it is to not have all of your teeth, so dental bridges help restore complete chewing function, while also improving aesthetics. They are essential in preventing the shifting of other teeth in your mouth, so you can have fewer problems in the future.

Dental Implants

These implants can act as a solution in conjunction with dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. They are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to replace the missing roots of other teeth. For that reason, they are a stable foundation for other dental procedures that aim at restoring the function of your teeth and giving you a nice smile.

Dentures

You also probably already met someone who has dentures in your life. In the past, they were more associated with people of advanced age, but depending on your problem, they can be applied to help almost anyone. 

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices used to replace multiple missing teeth. They can be either full dentures (for replacing all teeth in an arch) or partial dentures (for replacing several missing teeth while preserving remaining natural teeth).

Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic procedures, such as braces or aligners, are used to straighten misaligned teeth, correct bite problems, and improve overall dental alignment and aesthetics.

They are also very common – who doesn’t remember going to school and having a new classmate with braces? For them to work, their use extends over a longer period, as they take a while to bring your tooth to their desired place.

Cosmetic Dentistry

This comes at the end of the list, but nowadays, it is one of the most popular areas of dentistry. Cosmetic dental procedures focus on improving the appearance of the teeth and smile, using various techniques to do so. Common cosmetic treatments include teeth whitening, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and gum contouring.

These processes are in demand because of our current emphasis on looking our best, either for professional or personal reasons. Cosmetic dentistry helps people achieve their best smile, which is something that impacts a lot on your self-confidence and image. 

Final Thoughts

All of the examples of procedures mentioned above include some of the most common practices in our modern world, like regular cleanings, fillings, root canal therapy, extractions, implants, and cosmetic dentistry – but there are many more.

To achieve your desired smile, while also addressing various oral health concerns, it is paramount to talk to your dentist. They can offer you the best advice on how to achieve the results you want, and the treatments that will make the bigger difference. 

If you have a dental emergency and need urgent care, you should get in contact with Riverside Dental Care. We offer most of these services in our practice, and we can give you any advice you need to keep your mouth healthy and achieve your dream smile.