What is General Dentistry?
Caring for your teeth and maintaining good oral health is key to having a healthy, beautiful smile. For this, you need a good oral hygiene routine that includes general dental visits.
The main focus of general dentistry is to identify signs of dental problems at their earliest stages to nip them in the bud and prevent issues from arising in the first place. Our general dentists are committed to helping you maintain a beautiful smile and ensure your oral health is in top shape so you look and feel confident throughout life.
At Melton Dental Group, we provide a range of general dental services for your entire family.
What are the benefits of General Dentistry?
- Improves oral health
- Prevents potential dental problems
- Helps identify and treat problems before they worsen
- Helps avoid costly and complex procedures
- Restores damaged teeth
- Improves self-confidence
- Facilitates patient education on proper oral hygiene
- Promotes better overall health
How often should I visit the Dentist?
At Melton Dental, we strongly encourage all our patients to schedule regular check-ups with us every six months. These routine visits are crucial for maintaining optimal oral health. During your check-up, our team conducts a thorough examination to assess the condition of your teeth and gums, allowing us to identify any potential issues before they become more serious.
Remember, you may have to visit our dental practice more often if you have worsened dental problems from the lack of initial care. By staying on top of these regular visits, you can ensure that your smile remains healthy and bright for years to come. Taking proactive steps towards your dental care is essential for preserving good health in the long run.
We recommend seeking urgent assistance if you are facing a dental emergency. We offer after-hours emergency dental services for you in the case of an emergency.
General Dentistry Services We Offer
Pit and Fissure Sealants
A sealant is a protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves and crevices in the teeth, thus preventing decay. They are safe and your teeth won’t feel any different afterwards. They also blend in with the natural colour of your teeth.
Fissure Sealants usually last for many years. However, they are checked regularly to ensure that they are still intact. We recommend that fissure sealants be applied as soon as permanent teeth erupt in the mouth.
Tooth-Coloured Fillings
Also called Composite Fillings, Tooth-Coloured Fillings are made of a durable plastic material mixed with small glass particles. Similar in colour and texture to natural teeth, these fillings are less noticeable and much more attractive than silver (amalgam) or gold fillings.
Teeth filled with composite material tend to be stronger as minimal tooth preparation (or drilling) is required and the composite material bonds more effectively to the surrounding tooth structure. Also, this composite material has a thermal expansion coefficient very similar to natural teeth. This means that the filling will expand and contract when drinking hot and cold drinks, just as a natural tooth would.
Pit and Fissure Sealants
A sealant is a protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. The sealant forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves and crevices in the teeth, thus preventing decay. They are safe and your teeth won’t feel any different afterwards. They also blend in with the natural colour of your teeth.
Fissure Sealants usually last for many years. However, they are checked regularly to ensure that they are still intact. We recommend that fissure sealants be applied as soon as the permanent teeth erupt in the mouth.
Tooth-Coloured Fillings
Also called Composite Fillings, Tooth-Coloured Fillings are made of a durable plastic material mixed with small glass particles. Similar in colour and texture to natural teeth, these fillings are less noticeable and much more attractive than silver (amalgam) or gold fillings.
Teeth filled with composite material tend to be stronger as minimal tooth preparation (or drilling) is required and the composite material bonds more effectively to the surrounding tooth structure. Also, this composite material has a thermal expansion coefficient that is very similar to that of natural teeth. This means that the filling will expand and contract when drinking hot and cold drinks, just as a natural tooth would.
Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Cracked teeth are a growing problem because people keep their teeth longer, many of which are weakened and undermined by fillings.
Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome
- Pain when chewing or when releasing the biting pressure. Often this pain is short, sharp, and specific.
- Swelling of the gums around the tooth.
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
- Constant toothache (This usually means that the nerve of the tooth is now damaged and is also likely to need root canal treatment).
Causes of Cracked Tooth Syndrome
- Large fillings – these weaken the teeth mechanically. Silver amalgam fillings that contain mercury will contract and expand with temperature changes much faster than the remaining tooth structure. This will weaken the tooth, making it more likely to crack.
- Habits such as clenching and grinding.
- Accidents such as knocks or blows to the jaw.
- Biting down on hard foods (eg. bones or fruit stones or pips).
- Tooth erosion from acidic foods, drinks and medicines
Treatment of Cracked Tooth Syndrome
Treatment for this issue is influenced by several factors, including the specific location of the crack within the tooth, the direction in which the crack extends, and its overall severity. A comprehensive assessment by our dental professionals is essential to determine the appropriate course of action. Ultimately, the individual characteristics of the crack will guide the selection of the most effective treatment plan.
Simple Cracks
In this case, a composite resin filling is usually sufficient as this material bonds to the tooth structure and holds it together whilst preventing further cracks.
Large Cracks
These may require dental crowns to bind the entire tooth together.
If the cracks extend into the nerve of the tooth, then root canal treatment followed by crowing may be required.
In severe cases where the crack extends into the root, the tooth may need to be extracted. This extracted tooth may be replaced by a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture.
Why choose us as your General Dentist in Melton?
At Melton Dental, your oral health takes centre stage. Our experienced dentists are committed to helping you achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful smile with a comprehensive range of general dentistry treatments. Whether you’re facing a dental emergency or simply coming in for a scheduled check-up, we will make you feel right at home and provide quality dental care at affordable prices.
We also offer other dental services, including cosmetic dentistry, children’s dentistry, sleep dentistry and much more. No matter what your oral health needs are, we are here to help make your smile shine brighter!