What Does a General Dentist Do?

General dentists diagnose and treat oral health issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and broken or missing teeth. They also perform restorative treatments like fillings, dental crowns and bridges, veneers, and dentures.

Regular check-ups enable early detection of dental issues. This enables prompt treatment, preventing conditions from worsening and saving patients money on costly interventions later.

Preventive care

Taking preventive care lowers the risk of gum disease or other serious oral health issues. Typical preventive treatments include oral exams, teeth cleanings, and fluoride applications. In addition, some General dentist college station tx offer dental sealants to protect back molars from cavities.

Other preventive treatments include removing tartar or plaque to reduce tooth deterioration and improve gum health. General dentists can also provide whitening treatments or recommend mouthwash to help patients maintain a healthy smile.

Some dentists may also perform restorative dentistry to treat existing oral problems. These services may include fillings, root canal therapy, and jaw repair. However, they do not typically include orthodontics or other more invasive procedures.

In order to ensure that a patient receives the best treatment, it is important that they communicate effectively with their dentist. This includes sharing any current health conditions and medications, as they can impact treatment options. Additionally, they should discuss their daily brushing and flossing routine, as it can impact how well they maintain their teeth.

Diagnosis

During regular oral exams (including diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional cleanings, general dentists look for signs of disease. They can give patients detailed instructions on improving at-home oral hygiene and provide preventive treatments such as fluoride and dental sealants. Some provide more advanced restorative services, including fillings for cavities.

They are also skilled at detecting and treating gum disease, which can range from mild gingivitis to severe periodontitis. This is one of the most common causes of tooth loss and requires a variety of treatment options to manage.

Research has linked poor oral health to other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. A General dentist college station tx is a primary care provider that can teach patients ways to improve their overall health and well-being through good oral health and hygiene, and can refer them to specialists as needed. They can also offer nutritional counseling and advice on tobacco cessation. Essentially, general dentists are the front line of defense against dental problems.

Treatment

General dentists offer a variety of treatments aimed at preventing or managing dental problems. Some examples include routine oral exams (which often include diagnostic images like X-rays) and professional teeth cleanings, which help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

They also perform procedures such as root canal therapy, dental fillings and tooth extractions. They may also provide tooth replacement procedures such as dental bridges or dentures, and they often work with specialists when patients require more extensive or complex care.

In addition to performing these common procedures, General dentist college station tx also educate their patients about proper oral health care practices. They help them develop and maintain a regular brushing and flossing routine, and they may also recommend a diet that's low in sugar and high in essential nutrients. They can also detect early signs of gum disease and treat them before they progress, as well as screen for oral cancer. Using relaxation services like nitrous oxide, they can help reduce a patient's stress during treatment.

Education

In order to become a general dentist, individuals need at least a bachelor’s degree and four years of dental school. They then must pass a national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam to practice dentistry. Additional postgraduate training is required to become a specialist.

Dental education can be rigorous, and students are expected to perform well in their undergraduate coursework before applying to dental school. Most schools require a high GPA and experience shadowing a dentist as well as good recommendation letters. Some schools may also ask applicants to write supplemental essays.

Some students choose to complete a dental residency program after graduating from dental school. These programs typically last 2-4 years and focus on specialized procedures and populations. These specialized dentists have a narrower scope of practice but command higher salaries. The Academy of General Dentistry advocates for the interests of general dentists, promoting dental health and freedom of choice, and provides free dental advice to consumers through SmileLine, an online or toll-free hotline.