General Dentistry In Chattanooga, TN
General Dentistry
General dentistry refers to all of the dental care services required to maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. Seeing a general dentist at the Dentistry of Chattanooga, about twice a year can help you maintain a bright, healthy smile. Your dentist will clean your teeth, check for signs of oral cancer, and examine your teeth to check for cavities. They will also examine your gums and jawbone for signs of disease and can treat minor issues before they become major concerns.
Preventative Dentistry
Preventative dentistry focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases before they become problematic. Regular visits to your dentist for cleanings and oral exams are the foundation for a healthy smile. Your dentist will also recommend other treatments to protect your teeth from damage and decay.
Cleanings And Exams
Cleaning is a procedure to remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that contains bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Both can cause inflammation, gum disease, and cavities.
Your dental exam is much more than a simple cleaning. It is an opportunity for your dentist to thoroughly scan your mouth for signs of cavities and gum disease. Your dentist will also screen you for signs of oral cancer. Your cleaning appointment is the perfect time to ask questions about your dental health.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a very effective cosmetic solution for creating a whiter, brighter smile. Several different methods can be used, including in-office whitening and take-home whitening kits.
Fillings
Fillings restore your tooth’s function and appearance. All fillings, including tooth-colored fillings, use a solid substance to fill in part of your tooth when decay or injury has damaged it. Unlike silver or white fillings, composite fillings are tooth colored.
Root Canals
A root canal is a procedure that extracts the nerves and tissue within an infected tooth, then cleans and seals it. A root canal can save a tooth from needing to be pulled.
Extractions
Sometimes, teeth must be pulled because they are severely decayed. Other times, teeth are extracted to make space in the mouth in preparation for braces. Regardless of why a tooth is pulled, it is vital to replace it as soon as possible.
When a tooth is missing, it negatively affects the alignment of the neighboring teeth. It may also cause the surrounding teeth to become loose. These issues, in addition to difficulty, chewing, speaking, and smiling, are why many patients choose to replace their extracted teeth as soon as possible.
Emergency Care
Dental emergencies can be very serious. They require immediate treatment, and if left untreated, irreversible damage can occur. Emergency dental care is a type of dental procedure that should not be postponed. Even if your dentist is not in network with your dental plan, you should still visit the dentist as soon as possible.
If you are facing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact us immediately at (423) 894-0052!
Oral Cancer Screenings
An oral cancer screening is a visual examination of your oral cavity to check for abnormal tissue or growth. It’s one of the preventive services that we offer at our dental office.
Oral cancer screenings are recommended during your regular check-up appointments. They are also recommended any time you notice any abnormalities or changes in your mouth.
Sealants
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that adhere to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The teeth become rough over time and sealants, which form a protective shield over the teeth, can help prevent tooth decay.
Night Guards
Night guards are oral appliances worn at night to protect teeth from nighttime grinding and clenching. Night guards are custom-made to fit comfortably over your teeth.
Sports Mouth Guards
A sports mouth guard is a device that is used to protect teeth and mouth from injury while participating in sports. When playing sports, players need to wear mouthguards to protect their teeth, veneers, and crowns. Most sports mouthguards are made of plastic, but you can also find them in soft or hard acrylic.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea develops when your throat or tongue relaxes and blocks your airway. When you try to breathe, the snoring sound you make when your airway is blocked wakes you up. This means you don’t spend enough time in deep sleep, which causes you to constantly feel tired.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide (N2O), also known as laughing gas, is often used to calm anxiety or discomfort before, during, or after dental treatment. The effects of this gas wear off quickly, and patients can drive themselves to and from appointments.
Digital X-Rays
Digital X-rays use a beam of low-dose radiation to create an image of your teeth. These images are captured and stored electronically, so they’re easily accessible and can be shared with patients.
Digital X-rays use up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays. Digital X-rays produce higher quality images, too. These images can be magnified and manipulated, so they’re easier to evaluate. Plus, since the images are digital, they can be viewed immediately.