A cosmetic dentist can provide both customized services as well as general dentistry services. This not only means the appearance of your teeth, but ensuring your overall oral health is on track. A top priority of general and cosmetic dentistry is avoiding and/or treating gum disease, which is characterized by inflamed or bleeding gums, sensitive or missing teeth, and bad breath (otherwise known as Halitosis.)
Gum disease can lead to a wide range of other health issues, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and preterm labor. It can also permanently damage your teeth and tissue, so the earlier you catch gum disease and begin treatment, the better. Some procedures to treat gum disease can include minimally invasive laser gum surgery. However, if damage has progressed to the teeth and you have excessive wear, cracks, broken cusps or other issues, you may need other treatment types.
Other general dentistry procedures may include:
- Fillings: Dental fillings help treat teeth with varying levels of cavities or decay, and can also be used to repair injured or cracked teeth.
- Dental crowns: Dental crowns are used to repair teeth which have more extensive damage or decay. Crowns are the last line of defense before a tooth is too damaged to save and must be extracted. They are also used to correct cosmetic imperfections.
- Tooth extractions. When a decayed tooth cannot be repaired, a general dentist will remove it. In other instances, such is the case with wisdom teeth, an impacted tooth which is unable to break through the gum barrier may also require extraction.
Braces: Braces are used to position the teeth to improve alignment, jaw discomfort, and aesthetics.