Most people get fearful or nervous while going to the dentist. The noise, the x-ray machines, and the big chairs – at all can be a little bit too much. Of course, if you know why you’re taken there, it is much easier to cope with it.
Most people visit their dentist for one reason or another, but there are some basic procedures that everyone should be aware of. Let’s examine the five most popular dental procedures.
1. Teeth Cleanings
This is the most widespread reason people make appointments with dentists. Many dentists advise people to go for cleanings every six months or, in other cases, once a year.
Either way, it is the most important part of oral health. Your toothbrush will never be as effective as the tools the dentist has at his disposal to clean your teeth.
Going for a cleaning session either yearly or twice a year will help your teeth stay healthy, sparkling, and strong. Moreover, it costs almost nothing and causes no discomfort, so don’t worry!
2. Teeth Whitening
Just as cleaning, whitening is less of a procedure that causes discomfort than it is. Some people are afraid of the tooth varnish component, but it is fairly simple in the hands of most dental offices. When it comes to at-home teeth whitening kits, it appears that there is a long process. You will have to purchase the painting tools and invest most of your time and energy in them.
Bleaching is faster and safer at a dental clinic because professionals do it. In most cases, dentists use a particular hydrogen peroxide gel and a certain light source to speed up the whitening process.
3. Crowns
If the cavity in your tooth is large enough to overcome the filling, the top part of your tooth will break down. If the tooth breaks down to the extent of one more filling, crowns are the best solution.
These are the usual two-visit procedures, but they hopefully will not be that much painful. The dentist will mold your tooth for a lab to craft a crown that fits properly and covers the area of decay.
Some offices have “Copiers” instead of printing the old way. They will use a little X-ray and computer combination to take photos and immediately draft a crown for you! During your second appointment, the dentist will place and then fasten the crown, which ideally produces no pain or hassle.
4. Braces/Invisalign
Many hospitals now use Invisalign instead of the old dental braces systems, even though they do the same job. The main aim is to treat dental crowding, thus straightening crooked teeth, which are, in most cases, healthier and easier to maintain.
Traditional braces based on metal and similar substances apply incremental pressure that encourages the teeth to move backward. Invisalign is more invisibly and more slowly, but it is still as effective in obtaining the same purpose. The process of having them fitted can be a bit unnerving, but not that much.
5. Dentures
Dentures are usually associated with the aging process, but many people may need them throughout their lives. They are designed to imitate natural teeth by default, and they are usually removable. One problem with fitting dentures is that it takes longer than other procedures. Having the full teeth back is better worth it than facing the pain and discomfort.