Oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide. Some of the most common conditions include tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Left untreated, they can lead to various complications from infection to tooth loss. Take periodontal disease, for example, it’s the most common cause of tooth loss among adults.
Fortunately, there are dental treatments that can address and fix these types of problems.
Do you have a dentist appointment coming up? Want to familiarize yourself with some of the most common dental procedures?
If so, you’re at the right place. We’ll be going over them in detail below—so be sure to read until the end!
1. Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are the main treatment for cavities. The dentist will start by numbing the tooth area with a local anesthetic. Once the area is numb, they’ll use a drill to remove the decayed area.
They’ll then fill the hole with a substance such as amalgam or composite resin, the latter of which is tooth-colored. Depending on the type of filling, it may need to be cured or hardened with a blue wavelength light.
Generally speaking, the entire process will take about an hour or less. Larger or multiple fillings, however, can take a bit longer.
2. Root Canals
A root canal is a type of dental procedure that’s used to repair or save a severely infected or damaged tooth. It involves removing the pulp—the soft substance in the center of the tooth—which consists of blood vessels and nerves.
Once it’s been removed, the dentist will clean out the canals and seal the tooth with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha. The small opening at the top of the tooth will be filled with a temporary filling; this will prevent your saliva from damaging the canals.
A few days later, the dentist will take x-rays to ensure that any infection is gone. They’ll also replace the temporary filling with a permanent filling or crown.
3. Extractions
Tooth extraction may be necessary for advanced periodontal disease. Other reasons for extraction include traumatic damage to the tooth, severe tooth decay, and overcrowding.
Wisdom teeth may also need to be removed for several reasons. For one thing, they can get impacted or stuck under your gums; this can lead to tooth decay and resorption of healthy teeth. Not only that, but they can also damage the integrity of the jaw.
Given that, it’s best to remove them as soon as possible—before they start causing problems (your local dentist will be able to check for them during routine dental checkups).
The Most Common Dental Treatments
Many dental treatments are available nowadays from fillings to extractions. For those who are experiencing symptoms, consider calling your dentist. Remember, the sooner you address the problem, the better!
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