What Dental Treatments are Available?
Whether or not you’re currently experiencing a dental problem, it’s natural to be curious about the different treatments Signature Smile Arts may offer. The following go-to dental treatments are used to tackle everything from decayed teeth to gum disease.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are an important part of cavity treatment. Cavities are caused by tooth decay. After your dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth, they use a filling to fill in the resulting empty space. To avoid pain during the procedure, our dental team in Chicago may use a local anesthetic.
Fillings come in a variety of materials, including porcelain, composite resins, gold, and amalgam. These all have the same basic function but come with different advantages and disadvantages. For instance, gold fillings are durable but are pricier than some other options.
Dental Crowns
We install dental crowns, which are essentially caps, over teeth that are damaged to restore their shape, appearance, and integrity. Before installation, our dentist reshapes the damaged tooth so that the crown fits. Installing a crown may be appropriate when a tooth is damaged, weakened, or discolored. Sometimes, this is a one-day procedure, but often, two visits are necessary. Afterward, the crown doesn’t require any special care other than typical oral hygiene.
Scaling and Root Planing
The purpose of scaling and root planing is to get rid of worrisome plaque and tartar, thereby treating gum disease. (Tartar is hardened plaque that requires professional dental treatment to remove.) Our dental team in Chicago may recommend scaling and root planing when plaque buildup has caused the gums to retreat from the teeth and create spaces prone to trapping additional plaque. During the scaling portion of this procedure, the dentist takes out plaque and tartar. During the root planing, the dentist removes unwanted material from your teeth’ roots, making it easier for the teeth to attach to the gums once more.
Root Canals
When infection or deterioration afflicts a tooth, a root canal may help save it. Our dentists often turn to root canals when a tooth’s nerve or pulp has suffered damage, potentially leading to an abscess or other issues. Patients may suffer from pain and sensitivity in the teeth, not to mention decay and swelling. Root canals usually involve anesthesia. The dentist drills into the tooth clean out decayed materials and then seals the tooth.
These steps may occur all in one visit, or the dentist may use a temporary seal during the first visit and apply a permanent one later. Among dental services, root canals have a reputation as painful, but the discomfort they produce is comparable to that of a filling. Root canals are highly preferable to letting tooth decay advance.
Tooth Extractions
Tooth extractions may sound off-putting, but they can prevent a problem tooth from causing worse issues. The dental professionals at Signature Smile Arts may recommend tooth-extraction dental procedures in cases involving impacted wisdom teeth, damaged teeth, and teeth with problems that resist a root canal procedure. Extractions come in two types: simple extractions, in which the dentist just takes the tooth out with forceps, and surgical extractions, which are more complicated and will likely involve an incision and stitches.
Get Recommendations on Dental Treatments from Your Dentist
Regardless of which dental services we recommend, we’ll be able to tell you more about why we think it’s appropriate and what to expect from the process. Soon, you’ll be well on your way to having a healthier mouth! Contact our office in Chicago to schedule an appointment today.
