General Dentistry in San Francisco, CA

What is general dentistry?

General dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses on preventing disease and keeping your teeth and gums healthy. General dentists perform basic dental checkups and cleanings, as well as diagnose and treat a variety of issues.

What does general dentistry cover?

General dentistry is an umbrella term to describe a variety of services. It includes all dental services that treat and prevent dental problems and includes preventive services such as teeth cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral cancer screenings, as well as restorative services to rebuild damaged smiles.

What does general dentistry entail?

General dentistry goes far beyond purely preventive services. In fact, general dentistry provides restorative and cosmetic dental care as well. If you are at high risk for dental problems, your dentist will suggest preventive treatments. If you have any missing or damaged teeth, your general dentist may recommend cosmetic or restorative treatments.

General dentistry includes the following:

Diagnosis

By visiting your dentist at least twice a year, you can identify oral diseases in their initial stages. For example, many people don’t realize they have gum disease, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Your dentist can detect early signs of gum disease with a simple oral exam and recommend treatment before it progresses into a more serious condition.

Cleanings

Many patients don’t realize that a general dental cleaning can help to prevent serious oral health problems. The cleanings remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth, which is the first step in preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
The cleaning also polishes the teeth, leaving them brighter and helping patients to feel better about their smiles. The cleanings are often recommended every six months or more frequently for patients with a history of oral health problems.

Scaling and root planing

Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical procedure to treat periodontal disease. Your dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, and they also smooth the surfaces of your teeth roots. This helps reduce bacteria buildup.

Sealants

Sealants are plastic coatings that your dentist will place on the chewing surfaces of your teeth. Sealants help to prevent cavities.

Fluoride treatments

Fluoride treatments are beneficial for strengthening your teeth. Your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments if you are at high risk of cavities.

Fillings

Fillings are used to treat small cavities and minor tooth decay.

Crowns and bridges

When a patient is missing a tooth, a dental bridge may be recommended. A bridge is a type of restoration that is designed to fill in the gaps of a missing tooth, creating a continuous, gap-free smile. Dental bridges can be supported by either dental implants or natural teeth adjacent to the gap.

Dental crowns are caps that are placed over a tooth to strengthen it and protect it from any further damage.

Oral surgery

Oral surgery may be necessary if your tooth is damaged, decaying, or impacted. You may need a root canal if you have a severely decayed tooth. You may also need an extraction if you have extra teeth. Extractions may also be necessary for wisdom teeth.

Orthodontics

If you want straight, healthy teeth, orthodontic treatment options like braces and Invisalign aligners might be right for you.

Implants

Dental implants are an excellent dental restoration option. As a replacement tooth, an implant can replace any tooth in the mouth. A dental implant can also support a dental crown, dental bridge, or denture, giving you a full smile again.

Call our office and request an appointment with Dr. An today for your general dentistry procedures!