General dentistry involves the management of your overall oral health. It involves diagnosis, treatment, maintenance, and prevention. Thus, general dentistry covers a broad spectrum and consists of the things you associate with going to the dentist – routine examinations, cleanings, and the occasional filling or crown.
Below is a more comprehensive list of our general dentistry services.
We will thoroughly evaluate your gums, teeth, tongue, and oral health. We check for cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and how your teeth function. X-rays will be taken when appropriate.
Routine dental cleanings are essential, as they keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy and allow us to monitor the condition of your oral health. Our highly skilled dental hygienists will gently but thoroughly remove plaque and tartar and work with the dentist to identify findings and make recommendations for optimal oral health.
Cancer screening can be a frightening scenario for some people, but it should not be. The truth is oral cancer screenings done consistently offer you the opportunity to discover problems early when they can be treated more easily and successfully. If you have questions about our oral cancer screening procedures, please visit our office so our professional staff can guide you.
Composite resins have replaced amalgam (silver fillings) as the preferred restorative material to restore cavities; additionally, composite works well to fix defects such as cracks or chips. Our advanced techniques allow us to blend the composite to match your natural tooth.
Crowns are used to restore a more damaged tooth that would not be adequately supported if restored with composite.
Bridges are when crowns are adjoined on adjacent teeth with a missing tooth in the middle to fill the gap with a "floating" crown, which looks and functions like the missing tooth.
Root canal therapy is performed when a tooth has become infected or irreversibly inflamed. It involves the removal of the damaged nerve and pulpal tissue from the roots. The roots are then filled with medicine and a biocompatible, inert material to prevent future problems. Root canals are a great treatment modality that can save an otherwise hopeless tooth and provide profound relief caused by an inflamed nerve.
Sometimes, a tooth cannot be saved and needs to come out. Surprisingly, this is typically an easy, gentle, and quick procedure with minimal post-op pain.
Your periodontal (gum) tissues are just as important as your teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Periodontal disease occurs due to an infection in the gum tissues, connective ligaments, and eventually the alveolar bone.
The disease is characterized by swollen and red gums that tend to bleed during brushing and flossing. Luckily, periodontal disease is easy to prevent and treat if it is caught early enough. We may recommend a scaling and root planing procedure if we notice signs of advanced periodontal disease. The goal is to return your gums to a pink, healthy state.
A mouthguard will protect your teeth and prevent dental emergencies. If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), we may recommend a night guard. Many patients with bruxism tend to grind their teeth during sleep. A night guard acts as a barrier that prevents enamel wear.
Contact sports or sports with moving objects can be hazardous for your teeth. One extreme tackle or a ball hit into the mouth can do serious, sometimes permanent, damage to the jaw and mouth. If you participate in physical activities that put you at risk for dental trauma or injury, we strongly recommend a custom-made sports mouthguard.
Sleep apnea is characterized by the repeated cessation of breathing during sleep. There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form caused by the relaxation of the muscles in the throat. We offer oral appliances for those with OSA to help provide you with safer and more restful sleep.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows us to move our joint forwards, backward, and side-to-side. Any problems that prevent us from using this joint properly are known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. We provide treatments designed to alleviate pain or discomfort associated with the TMJ.
At Bonnie & Simone, our passion and commitment to providing the highest-quality general dentistry sets us apart. Our patient-centered approach, comprehensive care philosophy, and friendly atmosphere make it easy to call us your new dental home.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and find out why we have patients traveling from all over the state and North Carolina to let us take care of their oral health. Call (757) 540-1028 to schedule an appointment now!
