Capitol Square Dental in Columbus offers a variety of dental services, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and more. In this article, we'll explain what you need to know about general dentistry.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentists provide routine dental care to patients of all ages, including exams and cleanings. Approximately 80% of dentists are general dentists, and the other 20% are specialists with a focus on specific treatments. Specialists include:
- Endodontists
- Periodontists
- Prosthodontists
- Oral surgeons
- Pediatric dentists
A general dentist can perform the following services:
- Preventive
- Restorative
- Cosmetic
General dentists can also help with overall health concerns by keeping your oral health in check. Oral infections can lead to pregnancy complications, poor control of diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. A general dentist may also offer nutritional counseling, tips to help you quit smoking, and advice to improve your overall health.
Why Do I Need a General Dentist?
Your oral health is important. A general dentist can help keep your oral health in check with exams and cleanings every 6 months. In addition, if you have tooth decay, they can address the issue and offer a dental filling or other restorative procedure, depending on the severity of the decay.
In addition, a general dentist is also known as a family dentist. They can provide dental care for the entire family from children to seniors. They get to know you and are familiar with your history.
We Give You Many Ways to Maintain a Beautiful Smile
At Capitol Square Dental, we offer a variety of dental services to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. These services include:
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry includes exams and cleanings as well as at-home oral care. The American Dental Association recommends that you have a thorough exam and cleaning every 6 months. This can help detect and treat any dental issues before they progress and begin affecting your overall health.
Sealants also fall under the category of preventive services, as they are designed to protect teeth from bacteria and plaque buildup. Oral cancer screenings are typically included in your exam, especially if you are at an increased risk due to personal and/or family history.
Preventive care offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Reduces your risk of developing serious dental issues
- Promotes positive oral hygiene habits
- Identifies dental issues early, which minimizes treatment and cost
- Allows the dentist to examine your mouth, neck, jaw, etc to identify any related issues
- Reduces your risk of dental issues related to chronic medical problems such as eating disorders, diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, and more
Depending on your dental plan, preventive care may be covered 100% within certain limits. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine the details of your coverage and we will work to ensure that you maximize your benefits.
Basic Restorative Procedures
A general dentist can offer basic restorative procedures including root canal treatment, extractions, dental fillings, and more. Tooth extraction is always the last option. When possible, we will always take steps to restore a tooth first with either a dental filling or root canal treatment.
A dental filling can be used for mild to moderate decay, or cavities. If the decay has advanced into the tooth pulp, or the center of the tooth where the blood vessels and nerves are, root canal treatment may be more appropriate. This involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and filling it with a biocompatible material to support it from the inside. The tooth will then be sealed with a dental filling or covered with a dental crown.
Emergency Care
A dental emergency can happen at any time of the day or night. These issues don't always wait until standard office hours. We offer emergency care when you need it, just call the office and we will get you in as soon as possible.
Bruxism/Grinding Treatment
Bruxism is a condition in which you clench or grind your teeth both while awake and while sleeping. Typically, the root cause is stress or anxiety, but it may also be caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. In some patients, it is caused by sleep apnea and, by addressing one issue, you can improve the other.
This can cause a variety of issues including damage to teeth or tooth loss, TMJ, headaches/migraines, and more. If you tend to grind your teeth at night, night guards are often recommended. This will prevent the teeth from making contact.
TMJ Treatment & Migraine Treatment
A general dentist can offer both TMJ treatment and migraine treatment. Many times, the two conditions share the same triggers, and sometimes one can trigger the other, creating a cycle of pain.
We can use diagnostic testing, including x-rays, to evaluate your teeth and jaw for injury or displacement. Often, to treat the symptoms, we recommend a night guard, orthodontic treatment, medications, or jaw exercises. If your condition is severe, oral surgery may be recommended.
Laser Dentistry
Laser dentistry, also often referred to as metal-free dentistry, became popular in the 1990s as a way to treat dental problems without metal instruments because it is much more comfortable than drills and other tools. Laser dentistry can be used to treat tooth decay, gum disease, whitening teeth, and biopsies and lesion removal. Some of the advantages of laser dentistry include:
- Less pain, reducing the need for anesthesia
- Reduces anxiety in patients who are not comfortable with dental work
- Minimizes swelling/bleeding during dental procedures
- Preserves more of the natural tooth during decay removal
How Often Should I See My Dentist?
According to the American Dental Association, you should be visiting the dentist at least every 6 months for an exam and cleaning. This will help monitor your teeth for any issues that may come up and address them before they progress.
The Best General Dentist in Columbus Ohio
If you are looking for a dentist in or near Columbus, OH, Capitol Square Dental may be the perfect solution. We offer a variety of dental services for the entire family, all under one roof.
Schedule your visit with our team today. We are located at 212 South High Street in Columbus. Our office hours are Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Thursday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. We are open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at our Dublin, OH location.
General Dentistry FAQ
Below are a few of the questions that we get most often at Capitol Square Dental. If you have others that are not addressed, feel free to bring them up. We'll be happy to discuss them with you at any time.
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Can a general dentist perform an extraction?
Yes, a general dentist is trained to remove teeth, as long as it is a simple extraction. If it is more complex, an oral surgeon may be needed.
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Can a general dentist do dental implants?
Yes, a general dentist can perform dental implant surgery, as long as they are trained in implantology. However, some patients prefer to see a specialist such as an oral surgeon, cosmetic dentist, periodontist, or prosthodontist. Many times, these specialists work together throughout the process.
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Can a general dentist do a root canal?
Yes, a general dentist has the knowledge to perform root canal treatment. However, they often recommend an endodontist, as they are specially trained in how to deal with tooth pulp.
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Can a general dentist remove wisdom teeth?
Yes, wisdom tooth extraction can be done by a general dentist unless surgical extraction is required. At that point, an oral surgeon may be required. Wisdom tooth extraction is the removal of the four molars in the back of your jaw. If there is not enough room for the teeth to erupt, they become impacted, which can be painful and may become infected or cause other issues.