Dentistry is a medical profession that deals with diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases and disorders of teeth, gums, and other oral tissues. Dentists are also called dental surgeons or oral surgeons. The dentist’s specific area of expertise is often called dentistry or pediatric dentistry.
Dental surgery is best known for its use in the extraction of teeth from patients’ mouths by using an instrument called a dental drill to remove all surfaces inside the tooth’s roots. If needed, your dentist in Clementi can perform this procedure either under local or general anaesthesia, depending on your condition, preference, and needs.
There are several other surgical procedures that may be performed by a dentist, though. In this guide, we will look at some of the dental procedures that a dentist might do, from tooth extraction to root canal. Keep reading:
I. Tooth Extraction
A properly trained dentist in Clementi or oral surgeon extracts teeth when they are infected and poses a threat to the patient’s health. The procedure is relatively straightforward and will involve anaesthesia to numb the area.
After giving the anaesthetic time to work, the surgeon will clamp down on the tooth with pliers-like tongs called dental elevators. They then gradually twist and pull on it until it comes out of its socket. Afterwards, they clean out any remaining pulp using a procedure called root canal treatment.
II. Root Canal Treatment
This is a more complex surgical procedure than traditional tooth removal and requires general anaesthesia for best results. Given that most patients receive local anaesthesia for simple extractions, this makes it even more important that the dentist is highly trained and skilled in this procedure.
Root canal treatment aims to remove all pulp, bacteria, and infected dental tissue from inside the tooth’s roots. This will prevent inflammation which can lead to tooth death or dying tooth syndrome.
Once these materials are removed, they are replaced with a rubber-like material called gutta-percha, which also fills up any remaining space within the root canal system. The filling is then topped off with a sealer resin or other restorative material to ensure that it remains sterile.
III. Pulp Capping
This procedure helps preserve a patient’s natural teeth when there has been damage caused by decay or trauma, giving them time to recover from the injury before eventually undergoing an extraction process if necessary. This will involve the dentist removing any decay or infection from inside the tooth’s roots and then filling in the area with a special type of material. The materials used for this procedure can vary depending on what is available at that time, but they usually include a form of resin that has been shaped into a root-like structure covered in calcium hydroxide.
IV. Crowns
These are full caps that sit over a patient’s entire natural teeth to protect them from further damage caused by decay or disease after a root canal treatment has been completed. They do not fully replace healthy teeth, so additional crowns might be required when teeth have been lost or removed.
The procedures involved in fitting dental crowns involve significantly less surgery than other types of dental surgery since a dentist can fit them with the use of a crown molding kit. The dentist will take an impression of the patient’s teeth using this method and then send it off to an outside lab that will create customized crowns for them. These are usually made out of non-precious metal like titanium or high-grade resin, which is resistant to wear and tear caused by regular chewing.
V. Full Bridgework
Once a problematic tooth has been dealt with through root canal treatment, the next step might involve replacing missing teeth with natural-looking false ones made from porcelain to create a strong base for other bridges. This process involves removing any remaining natural teeth which are not needed (for example, last molars) while numbing the area.
After this, a dentist is able to prepare the bridge implants by boring two tiny holes into each side of the jawbone, where they will eventually rest on. These are then fitted with dental implants, which will be used to affix the bridge.
VI. Single Tooth Implants
This is a minor type of dental implant operation and generally involves only minor surgery to replace just one tooth at a time. The procedure usually starts with numbing the area around the site where the new implant will be placed.
Once this has taken place, an incision is made into which a titanium post is fitted. This is carefully screwed into the patient’s jaw bone to ensure that it will remain in place and can provide a strong base for an implant crown. After this, the surgeon uses a soft tissue to gently secure the implant and allow time for this area to heal before fitting any final caps.
VII. Braces
These are clear or tooth-coloured brackets used to gradually straighten out crooked teeth and improve the patient’s oral health. They work by applying constant pressure to each tooth over a period of time to slowly guide them into their proper position.
This is usually achieved by attaching tiny metal wires that connect all braces together right along the gum line. The patient will also be fitted with thin rubber bands that can stretch or contract to provide additional pressure when needed, especially when eating certain types of food, which might make them move out of place again.
The Bottom Line
Your dentist in Clementi may recommend dental surgery for existing oral problems, but most of the time, they will be used to replace missing teeth and improve your appearance. Some of the most common surgeries include implants or bridges, which can make a big difference with few possible complications due to their simple nature. Crowns and root canals might provide slightly different options for patients who require dental work, but any additional work will likely involve appliances like braces to slowly move teeth into the right position.
We offer several types of dental treatments; Dental Implants, Bridges and Crowns, Dental fillings, and teeth whitening at Smile Point Dental Center. Get in touch with us now to learn more how we can help. Call: +6564751028
Smilepoint Dental Holland Village
43 Jln Merah Saga, #01-64 Chip Bee Gardens, Singapore 278115
+65 6475 1028
https://smilepoint.com.sg/