Dental?Procedures

Dental procedures can help prevent and treat cavities, gum disease, decay, and other dental problems. The most basic dental procedure is a checkup, or dental exam. During a checkup, a dentist will look for changes in a person's teeth and gums, such as cavities, plaque, and tartar. They'll also perform x-rays to look for other problems that may not be visible. Regular checkups help identify problems early and are important for long-term oral health. If necessary, a dentist may recommend cleaning, scaling, and/or polishing. Cleaning, scaling, and polishing are all treatments meant to remove plaque and tartar, which can accumulate and cause gum disease. Proper oral hygiene can help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar, but regular professional cleanings are important to ensure a healthy smile. Fillings are one of the most common dental procedures. They are used to fix cavities, which occur when tooth decay eats away at the enamel of a tooth. Fillings fill the holes or gaps left behind by the decay and protect the teeth from further damage. Dental crowns are another common procedure used to strengthen and restore damaged teeth. Crowns are caps that fit over the affected tooth and protect it. Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain, ceramic, or resin and are designed to look and function like natural teeth. Invisible braces are another relatively common dental procedure, often used to correct alignment problems in the teeth and jaws. Invisible braces involve wearing a series of clear, removable aligners that gently move the teeth into place over time.