With general dentistry, we want to offer a preventive approach to dental care, so you and your family can avoid the risk of discomfort or tooth loss. From checkups to lifelike fillings, we can address an array of serious oral health concerns. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about our approach to general dentistry.
Your Routine Checkups and Cleanings
Checkups and cleanings are a major component of general dentistry. These visits allow us to monitor your smile every few months so we can catch possible problems in the early stages, often before they cause discomfort or lead to major complications. During the exam, we look at your teeth, gums, roots, and more with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. Thes ensure an accurate and precise diagnosis, so we can plan treatment in detail. Our team can watch for cavities, infections, gingivitis, and gum disease. We also screen for oral cancer and even look for signs of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding).
In the same visit, our team will also clean the teeth. The dental cleaning process only takes a few minutes and employs an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently and thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar for the teeth. This helps fight tooth decay and periodontal issues like gingivitis and gum disease. You also enjoy a reduced risk of bad breath and teeth stains too!
Metal-Free Dental Work
What if during your general dentistry checkup and cleaning we find signs of tooth decay, or possibly worn down or damaged teeth? Then you need a restoration. Our team again takes a holistic approach by offering metal-free dental treatments. If you have a cavity, we will use composite resin instead of metal, which is biocompatible and bonds with your tooth. The material can be shaded to blend with your tooth too. We can treat tooth decay in one visit, or use the same material in a bonding procedure to repair minor damage or mask common cosmetic imperfections. If you need a crown, then our team could create one from porcelain or zirconia, which can absorb bite forces and pressures, and also be color matched to blend with your smile too. If you have missing teeth, the same porcelain can be used to create a bridge or even a dental implant restoration, so you enjoy lifelike results and a durable chewing surface.
Botox
Did you know that we offer Botox? With this treatment, a medication is injected directly into your face at specific areas to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This helps alleviate signs of aging, and the results can last for months to come. For some, this administered as part of the six-month checkup visit. Along with foreign better facial beauty, this can be used to ease the strain and stress of serious oral health concerns like TMJ disorder and bruxism. Botox has even been shown to ease pressure in the facial muscles, so the symptoms of TMJ disorder and bruxism decrease.
Bruxism Appliances
Bruxism means that as you sleep, you often grind or clench your teeth. The pressure from this can wear down and damage enamel, changing the appearance of your smile and also increasing the risk of tooth decay and infection. Our team wants to prevent this, so we can take detailed images and measurements of your smile to design and craft an oral appliance. The bruxism appliance will look and fit like a mouthguard, but it helps ease strain in your jaw and can provide a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further injury. If you have any questions about how we use general dentistry to help improve the health, function, and beauty of your smile, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you and your family end the year and start a new one with a healthier and stronger smile. You can even see us now to obtain care before the hectic holiday season begins.
If you have any remaining 2024 dental insurance benefits or health savings account funds, then you can use them before they expire at the end of the year. Don’t let them expire without being used, talk to our team about your options.
Talk to Your Lake Orion, MI Dentist’s Office About General Dentistry
General dentistry enables our team to help protect your smile from poor oral health. To schedule an appointment for general dentistry, then call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
