During the first visit, the Dentist office removes the damaged tissue and sterilizes it. Anesthesia is used to numb the tooth area so you do not experience pain or discomfort.
Greets and welcomes patients as they arrive in the office. Maintains accurate patient records. Handles billing inquiries and coordinates insurance coverage. Ensures patient confidentiality and adherence to HIPAA regulations.
Dental cleanings
A professional dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is a necessary part of maintaining oral health. It removes plaque and tartar that regular brushing can’t, and is essential for preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
During a teeth cleaning, a dental hygienist will first use a device that sprays a lubricating mist over the teeth and uses a water stream to loosen plaque and tartar. A handheld instrument is then used to remove the buildup from each tooth.
Dental cleanings are usually covered by dental insurance. However, patients should contact their insurance provider to determine the exact coverage amount for this service. Also, some patients prefer to pay for this procedure with funds from their flexible savings account or healthcare spending account (HSA). This helps to prevent overspending.
Fillings
Fillings are a common treatment for cavities and help repair tooth decay or cracks. They are made of a durable composite resin and come in different shades so that they blend in with the natural teeth. They are also quick-curing, which means you will spend less time in the office.
Dental inlays and onlays can be crafted on-site at the dental office, eliminating the need for an impression. They weaken the tooth to a lesser degree than traditional fillings and last longer than composite fillings.
Crowns
Crowns are custom-fitted caps that cover a damaged tooth, providing strength and appearance. Our dentists may recommend a crown after a root canal, when a filling might not be sufficient, or if the tooth has been weakened by dental decay or damage.
Some offices use CAD/CAM technology to design and produce same-day ceramic crowns, inlays and onlays right at the office. They take digital impressions or scans of the tooth, and send the information to a machine that carves the crown from a block of ceramic.
Though they are durable, crowns can chip just like natural teeth. To prevent this, it’s important to brush twice daily and floss regularly, and avoid bad habits like biting nails, chewing ice or opening packages with your teeth.
Root canals
Root canals are a common treatment for injured or infected teeth. When a tooth is cracked or has deep fillings, harmful bacteria can get to the pulpal nerve and cause infection, serious decay, and bone loss.
The first step of the procedure involves numbing the area with local anesthesia. The dentist then drills an access hole in the damaged tooth and removes the tooth pulp and related debris with root canal files of various widths.
The empty space is then cleaned and filled with a rubbery material called gutta-percha. Then the tooth is sealed with a dental composite. In most cases, a dental crown is placed to strengthen the tooth and protect it from future damage.
Extractions
Dental extractions are sometimes necessary to remove damaged, infected or impacted teeth. Typically, your dentist will use local anesthesia to keep you comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. You should avoid eating hard or sticky foods after the procedure. Your dentist may recommend ice packs or salt water rinses to control any discomfort.
Depending on the size of the practice, offices can also have a storage area for patient records and computers. These areas are often separate from the clinic, which primarily performs clinical procedures for patients. They may also include a staff lounge and lockers. A large office may even have its own in-office laboratory.
Implants
A dental implant serves as an artificial tooth root to support a replacement tooth. It is made of titanium, a metal that does not react with the body.
Dental implants typically last a long time with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. During a consultation, the dental team will determine whether adequate bone tissue exists to support an implant.
A consultation room is a small meeting area where a patient discusses treatment options with the dentist. It also contains a desk where the reception staff waits for patients and accesses patient records. In larger dental practices, this room may be called a dental operatory.