4 Popular General Dentistry Procedures

Professionals who are in the field of general dentistry have the training and know-how to perform numerous procedures of varying levels of complexity. However, if you ask any general dentist, they will tell you that they perform some procedures far more frequently than they do others. These procedures are the greatest tools dentists have in their arsenals to preserve the health, integrity, and natural beauty of patients’ smiles.

The most common general dentistry procedures

If you visit the dentist as frequently or even half as frequently as you should, chances are that you are familiar with at least one of the procedures that general dentists commonly perform. If you have not experienced any of the following procedures yourself, chances are you know someone who has.

Professional cleanings

Professional teeth cleanings are perhaps the number one reason people visit the dentist and are among the most common procedures that dentists perform. Cleanings play a major role in preserving the health and beauty of your smile, which is why dentists recommend that patients schedule cleanings every six months or so. Professional cleanings are far more effective at cleaning the teeth than at-home cleanings, as dentists use special tools that can clean places a toothbrush cannot reach. Moreover, they use powerful cleaning agents that provide for a deeper, long-lasting clean than standard kinds of toothpaste.

Dental fillings

Aside from cleanings, dental fillings are the most common procedure that general dentistry professionals perform. A dentist may recommend a filling when a cavity is in its early stages but beyond the point of reversal through fluoride treatment. To perform a filling, a dentist will remove the portion of the decayed tooth and fill the remaining cavity with filling material, such as amalgam or composite resin.

Tooth whitening

Like cleanings, tooth whitening is a relatively simple and noninvasive procedure that dentists can perform in a single appointment. However, it can drastically improve the appearance of patients’ smiles and, in the process, boost their confidence levels.

In-office tooth whitening is much more effective than at-home whitening kits, as dentists have access to powerful whitening agents and curing tools. Moreover, they have the experience and knowledge necessary to whiten teeth without causing harm to the enamel.

For these reasons, tooth whitening is one of the most common procedures that general dentists perform.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers are thin layers of porcelain that dentists use to cover up the surface of teeth to improve everything from shape to color to durability. Though applying veneers is a very minimally invasive process, dentists use the thin shells to accomplish a number of smile objectives and to drastically improve both the function and appearance of smiles. For instance, a dentist may recommend veneers to straighten teeth, restore cracks or chips, close gaps, hide stains, and more. Because of all that veneers can accomplish in just a single sitting, veneers are among the most commonly performed general dentistry procedures.