General dentistry involves the diagnosis of all issues relating to the health and function of the mouth, as well as the treatment and repair of broken, infected, or otherwise damaged teeth, gums, and tissue. General dentists serve as primary care providers for their patients, managing their oral health care needs and coordinating treatment with specialists when necessary.

The screening function of the oral examination goes beyond conditions that affect only the mouth: the appearance of the tongue, gums or mucosa (lining of the mouth) can indicate the presence of illness arising elsewhere in the body, and the need for referral to a medical doctor.

General and Restorative treatment at Silver Dental includes everything from preventative care to the replacement of missing teeth.  Restorations include fillings, bondings and crowns where part of the original tooth can be retained, as well as replacements such as bridges and implants where teeth have been lost to decay, disease or injury.  In all cases the goal of restorative treatment is to give the patient a set of teeth that looks, feels and functions as well or better than the natural teeth.

You may have heard the terms “traditional” or “conventional” dentistry.  Although the tools, techniques and materials we use have greatly improved over the years, most of the treatments and procedures considered conventional dentistry would have been familiar 100 years ago.  Here are descriptions of some of them:

Preventive Care and Dental Exams

This is the branch of dentistry that deals with the preservation of healthy teeth and gums, and the prevention of dental caries (cavities) and oral disease through the use of cleanings, home care instruction, examination of the mouth and oral cancer screenings.

Direct Bonding

Also called dental bonding, composite, or tooth bonding, this is an excellent way to repair teeth damaged from decay and old amalgam fillings. Bondings employ advanced plastic, ceramic or composite materials and strong adhesives.  Unlike older metallic fillings, these materials can be matched to natural teeth in color and texture.  The resulting restorations look like natural teeth. Dental bonding can repair cracked, chipped, and discolored teeth. Cosmetic bonding can also repair misaligned teeth, providing a straighter, more uniform smile.

Dental Crowns

When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, dental crowns act as a protective cover, strengthening the tooth and reinforcing the jaw. Well-made crowns also restore comfortable biting and chewing movements.  To crown a tooth, the dentist first removes damaged or decayed material from the natural tooth, leaving a peg.  An impression of the peg is made with a plaster-like material.  A crown similar in size and shape to the original tooth surface is made.  The peg impression is used to shape the underside so it exactly matches the peg.  Finally the crown is cemented in place with a durable adhesive.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges literally "bridge the gap" created by missing teeth, stabilizing the jaw and preventing movement of remaining teeth (which could lead to further tooth loss and/or problems with chewing).  A bridge consists of one or more artificial teeth attached on either side to a crown.  The crowns are cemented to pegs created from the healthy teeth on either side of the gap.

Dentures

Dentures are artificial teeth that are removable rather than cemented in place. Partial dentures are one or more artificial teeth mounted to prongs that grip natural teeth.  Full dentures replicate an entire set of teeth, are custom-shaped to fit the patient’s gums, and held in place by natural air pressure and/or adhesive paste applied daily. Replacing one or more teeth is easier than ever before, with a multitude of comfortable and affordable denture alternatives available.

Root Canal

Infected tissues in the pulp (the living interior of the tooth) can cause severe pain and eventually lead to tooth loss. In root canal therapy the dentist drills into the tooth, removes the infected tissue and replaces it with a sterile, antibacterial material.  Finally, the hole left by the drill is filled with bonding material.  The patient is left with a mostly-natural tooth with a 100% natural appearance, and no further infection in the root canal.

Gum Disease

Periodontal disease is characterized by swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. It is caused by bacterial infection of the gum tissue, usually (but not always) as a result of poor dental hygiene and/or a diet too rich in sugars, which encourage bacterial growth.  Both early and advanced periodontal disease can be treated with surgical and non-surgical therapies.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction

Patients with severe dental problems often require a full-mouth reconstruction. When we perform full-mouth reconstructions, we draw on both cosmetic and restorative dentistry solutions to improve the health, function, and appearance of the smile.