Whether for treating a diseased tooth or improving the appearance of your teeth, it is important to know and understand the various dental procedures and treatment options available to you:
Table of Contents
ANESTHESIA
This is the most important procedure for any dental treatment, without which major surgeries would be impossible. Anesthesia sedates and dulls an anxious, scared patient and numbs the area to be treated so that the patient doesn’t feel any pain. The effects usually subside two to three hours after the procedure, while it doesn’t put the patient to sleep. The most common form is local anesthesia, but for certain treatments, general anesthesia is recommended which causes deep sedation and an interim loss of consciousness.
X-RAYS
Radiographs or X-rays are an imperative part of any dental care. They are indicative, but can also be used to help treat a potential oral problem before it becomes a major issue. An x-ray is a form of energy that paths through soft tissues and is consumed by thick tissues. They are branched into two kinds: intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral gives the dentist details of the tooth, bone and supporting tissues, whereas an extraoral x-ray is taken on the exterior of the mouth.
FILLINGS
Filling helps stuff teeth that have been damaged and hollowed out by bacterial action with silver and mercury, plastic and fine glass, gold or ceramic fillings. This helps prevent further decay by eliminating the areas where bacteria can enter the tooth.
ROOT CANALS
Root canal is the process of treating and saving a badly deteriorated or infected tooth instead of getting rid of it. Root Canal involves removing the affected area, cleaning and sterilizing it, then filling and blocking the surface.
SEALANTS
Dental sealants consist of plastic that is planted on the chewing exterior of the fixed back teeth, the molars, and premolars, to aid protection from acids and bacteria that erode the enamel and contribute to tooth decay.
TOOTH REMOVAL
A tooth damaged or decayed enough to not be repaired with a filling, crown or other dental treatment, is extracted from its socket in the bone.
These are some dental procedures and treatments you should know about so you can make informed decisions in case of a dental emergency.
