Most people don’t realize it, but your oral health has a significant impact on your overall health. Therefore, you need to see a dentist as part of your healthcare.
Dentistry is a broad field with a lot of different specializations. A general dentist can usually do a little bit of everything. Many times, a general dentist will also have a specialty as well.
Smile Boutique Group offers a variety of general, cosmetic, and restorative procedures for the entire family. Here’s what you need to know about the general dental services offered by our team of qualified professionals.
General dentistry is the field of dentistry focused on the diagnosis and treatment of oral health issues. Approximately 80% of dental professionals are general dentists- the other 20% are specialists such as oral surgeons, periodontists, endodontists, and more.
A general dentist is necessary for keeping your mouth healthy. They have the ability to diagnose oral conditions, offer preventive treatments, examine your mouth, interpret x-rays, and create a treatment plan for any dental issues that you have.
Dr. Joseph Stan and the team at Smile Boutique Group offers a variety of general, restorative, and cosmetic services. Some of the general dental services we offer include:
Regular dental exams and cleanings are important for your oral and overall health. In fact, experts recommend that you visit the dentist at least every 6 months. This will allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and take action to resolve any issues when needed.
A composite filling is a dental restoration used for a tooth with minor damage/decay. It has a more natural appearance than many other options because it can be customized to match the natural shade of your tooth.
Inlays and onlays are recommended when a tooth is too damaged/decayed for a traditional dental filling but not damaged/decayed enough for a dental crown. Composite resin is used for these. An inlay goes inside of the cusps of the tooth, while an onlay extends over the sides.
Dental bonding is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures performed. It is used to improve the appearance of teeth. The process involves applying composite resin to the tooth. It is often used to conceal cracks/chips, close small gaps, disguise discoloration, lengthen teeth, and other cosmetic repairs.
Dental crowns and bridges are restorative dental procedures. A crown is used to repair/protect a damaged tooth or with a dental implant to replace a missing tooth.
A dental bridge is used when there are several teeth missing in a row. It may be a traditional bridge, relying on the adjacent teeth for support, or may be an implant-supported bridge which relies on dental implants placed on each side of the gap for support.
Both options will last 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance,
The TMJ is the hinge joint that connects the jaw to the skull and allows it to move. TMJ disorder, or TMD, is a disorder characterized by pain, popping/locking, difficulty chewing, and more. The team at Smile Boutique Group offers a variety of treatment options from conservative to surgical to improve symptoms.
In many cases, TMD will resolve on its own. However, if treatment is required, we start with the most conservative options: medications and therapies. If these do not work, we progress to injections and surgical options.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, over 15 million root canal treatments are performed every year. When a cavity is left untreated, bacteria can grow and spread into the dental pulp. This is the soft center of the tooth where the nerves and blood vessels are located. When this happens, the best course of treatment is root canal therapy, which involves removing the infected pulp, disinfecting the tooth, and filling it with a biocompatible material to support it from the inside. A dental filling is used to seal the tooth, and, in most cases, a crown is placed on top to protect it.
During your standard examination, we will also be screening for oral cancer, especially if you are at an increased risk. The goal of this screening is to identify abnormalities so that they can be addressed early, offering you the highest chance of cure.
If an abnormality is found, a biopsy will be performed. This involves removing some of the abnormal cells and sending them to a lab for testing.
When possible, steps will be taken to salvage a tooth that has been damaged/decayed including dental fillings or dental crowns. Unfortunately, in some cases, the damage/decay is too extensive, and the tooth must be removed. This is a procedure known as extraction.
There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. A simple extraction involves rocking the tooth back and forth until it loosens and pulling it out. A surgical extraction requires the patient to be sedated and the tooth will usually be removed in pieces.
According to the American Dental Association, you should visit the dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning. If you have dental issues between those visits, you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Dr. Joseph Stan is the lead dentist at Smile Boutique Group. He is one of the most respected dentists in the world. He has more than 20 years of experience in general and cosmetic dentistry. He is one of the few highly qualified, multi-disciplined professionals in the field.
Transform your smile today! Contact Smile Boutique Group for a stunning new you
If you have any dental questions or concerns, Dr. Stan and the team at Smile Boutique Group will be happy to address those. We have several decades of combined experience and will work with you to help you understand your condition and the recommended treatments. Below are a few of the most commonly asked questions about general dental services:
A general dentist can perform root canal treatment- but this procedure is primarily performed by an endodontist. General dentists primarily perform root canal treatment on canines or incisors since they usually only have one root. Premolars and molars are usually best left for an endodontist.
If the wisdom teeth are fully erupted, a general dentist can perform an extraction to remove them. However, if they are impacted or have not erupted, an oral surgeon will be needed to remove them.