General Dentistry

Brushing your teeth and flossing regularly are not the only things you should do if you want good dental hygiene. You have to have a good professional relationship with a dentist. More specifically, you need an oral care provider offering general dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ.

What is General Dentistry?

General dentistry is a dental care service for people from all walks of life and ages. General dentists are primary oral health providers who are highly trained and skilled in various areas of dental practice. Unlike specialized dental practice, it does not focus on only one area but combines basic treatments, preventive care, restorative services, oral surgery, and specialized care.

General dentistry treatments are intended to: 

  • help maintain healthy teeth, gums, and mouth 
  • maintain your natural teeth
  • help you look and feel good

General dentists are trained to handle dental health issues that may occur in each stage of your life through the various services they offer:


Dental Cleaning

Your teeth have to be cleaned every six months. Dental cleaning procedures help remove and prevent tartar buildup. These procedures are necessary for maintaining good and healthy gums and teeth.

 

Dental Exam

A dental check-up is necessary to determine if treatment is needed or what kind of treatment is required to ensure good oral health. Routine dental exams are also intended to identify signs of oral health problems so these can be immediately addressed.

 

Prophylaxis Dental

Also known as dental prophylaxis or prophy, this general dentistry service involves several procedures: a mouth/teeth x-ray, oral examination, teeth cleaning, and periodontal probing. The teeth are polished to control and prevent bacteria from forming on the gum line and teeth.

X-rays are taken to evaluate dental health. The general dentist examines the teeth, gums, mouth, jaw joints, and head and neck. 

Periodontal probing is the process of using a periodontal probe to measure gum tissue depth to check if the gums around the teeth are healthy. If there are spaces or pockets, the gum tissue may be diseased or inflamed. General dentists will correct this oral health problem.

 

Dental Scaling

Dental scaling is a type of dental procedure that involves deep cleaning. General dentists typically perform the procedure with root planing.

The dentist removes all the tartar and plaque that have gathered below and above the gum line. In most cases, the procedure is completed only after several visits to the general dentist. 

Dental scaling is essential for addressing gum disease.

General dentists use two scaling devices: a manual dental scaler and an ultrasonic dental scaling device.

 

Root Planing

After a dental scaling, general dentists perform root planing, where the teeth roots are smoothed out. Smoothing out the rough areas or surfaces of the roots will keep tartar, plaque, and bacteria from forming below the gum line again. It also heals and re-attaches the gums to the teeth.

Root planing is vital for preventing inflammation of the gum tissue.

 

Periodontal Maintenance

Periodontal maintenance is an intensive dental procedure needed for maintaining healthy and strong bones and gums. It is often confused with a dental cleaning, but it focuses more on addressing existing oral health issues. Regular dental cleaning is performed for preventive care.

A periodontal maintenance procedure involves removing tartar and plaque from between the teeth and below the gums. The spaces or pockets of the gum are also examined to check if there is inflammation or infection.

Periodontal maintenance is required at least three to four times a year, depending on the severity of tartar and plaque accumulation. 

A periodontal maintenance procedure may take several visits to the general dentist to be completed.

 

Preventive Maintenance Dentistry

A preventive maintenance dental procedure involves various dental activities intended to ensure and maintain oral health.

  • Dental check-ups at least every six months
  • X-rays
  • Regular dental cleaning

Preventive maintenance dentistry combines general dentistry and personal dental care. Patients must practice proper dental care, such as regular brushing and flossing, to ensure that preventive maintenance is performed at home. 

Dental Deep Cleaning

Dental deep cleaning is also known as gum therapy. It is the complete cleaning of the gums and teeth as well as the roots. It is a more detailed and precise procedure compared to a regular dental cleaning.

The deep cleaning happens when the dentist goes below the gum line, the root of the tooth, to clean and wash away tartar buildup from the pockets between the roots and gums.

Scaling and root planing are the two main procedures performed during a dental deep cleaning. 

Deep cleaning is crucial for controlling and preventing gum diseases such as gingivitis, other dental problems like sensitive teeth, reduced gum line, and halitosis or bad breath.

General Dentistry Consultation

Professional, experienced, and personalized general dentistry services are within your reach in the vibrant City of Scottsdale in Arizona. Contact us now for the best in oral health care.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

The staff at Dental Studio 101 is kind, compassionate and highly educated, and are here to help you through every step of your appointment.

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