Going to the dentist can be intimidating or scary for many people. The buzzing sounds, the x-ray machines, the big chairs – it can all be a little overwhelming. If you know what you’re in for, though, your experience will be much easier to handle.
People have to visit their dentists for all sorts of reasons, but there are a few common dental treatments that we provide that everyone should know. Here are 10 of the most common dental treatments, all of which we offer at Premier Dental in Lee’s Summit.
This is by far the most common reason people visit the dentist. Dr. Caye and his team of experts recommend a cleaning every six months; where some only recommend once a year. Either way, it’s a very important part of oral health. Your own toothbrush will never be as efficient as the tools a dentist uses to clean your teeth.
An annual or semi-annual preventative visit for a dental cleaning will keep your teeth healthy, shiny, and strong. Plus, a cleaning causes very little discomfort, so no need to fret! Now you know why this is the #1 most common on the list of dental procedures in our industry! Learn why Preventative Dentistry can save your life!
Related Article: Prevention is Key: Let’s Talk About Preventative Dentistry for Kids!
Like cleaning, professional teeth whitening is a relatively painless procedure. Some people are sensitive to the whitening agents used, but otherwise it’s an easy procedure that we offer to give you a dazzling smile. At-home teeth whitening kits involve a lot of extra time and effort. You need to buy kits and spend a lot of time to achieve less than customized results.
At our office, bleaching is quicker and safer because it is performed by professionals. Most often, dentists use a special hydrogen peroxide gel and a special light source to whiten faster.
Extractions sound scary and painful. Admittedly, they are not the most pleasant of dental treatments. However, we will do everything in our power to help you feel comfortable. You may need an extraction for any number of reasons.
When having a tooth pulled, you’ll thoroughly numbed. You won’t be able to feel a thing! You may be sore afterwards, but extractions are almost always to prevent further pain. Remember, we want your teeth to be healthy and if we can SAVE Your Tooth — We WILL!
If your teeth are crooked or discolored, we may recommend veneers. These are very popular solutions to common tooth problems for a natural-looking result. Porcelain Veneers are essentially a thin covering placed over the front section of a tooth or set of teeth. They’re mainly used for correctional purposes, but they can be used for whitening, too. This dental process is simple and painless for most people, and it’s easy for us to perform. Ask us about a Smile Makeover … we can discuss your smile goals and customize a treatment plan just for you!
It’s easy to see why cavities are all too common on the list of dental treatments, mostly because they’re very easy to get. For most cavities, a filling is the recommended answer. Acids in food and inside your body can easily break down tooth enamel if overexposed.
Luckily, filling most cavities is a quick procedure. You’ll likely be numbed, which can last for a few hours after the filling is over. It usually takes about an hour to finish up, and then your tooth is as good as new! You might feel pressure while they’re working, but it shouldn’t be painful.
Related Article: Tooth Decay Treatments Explained (but what happens if it’s NOT treated??)
If your cavity is a little too big for a filling, or the top part of your tooth has decayed, a porcelain crown is the solution. These are usually two-visit dental procedures; however, because of our CEREC same-day crown technology, we can create and place your crown in one appointment. Like the filling, a porcelain crown shouldn’t be overtly painful. We will digitally scan your tooth so we can craft a properly fitted crown to cover the decayed area.
Porcelain Crowns can restore teeth and can also be used to complete a root canal treatment or a dental implant.
This is one procedure that most people dread, and for fair reasons. Root canals are usually preceded by some pretty awful tooth pain. A root canal means the tissue inside or under your tooth is infected and inflamed. To get rid of the pain, the dentist needs to deaden the nerve and remove the tissue. Sometimes you may need to take an antibiotic before the procedure to heal any infection.
Remember, a root canal treatment gets you OUT OF PAIN! The good thing is that you’ll be numbed before it happens, so you won’t feel any pain, just pressure. Once the procedure is over – and it can take a couple hours – you’ll be numb for a while, but hopefully pain free since the infection will be gone.
Most practices are moving away from traditional braces and towards clear aligners, like ClearCorrect clear braces, but they both serve the same purpose. The goal is to straighten and correct crooked teeth, as straighter teeth are often healthier and easier to take care of. Classic braces use metal and other materials to slowly tighten teeth back into place. ClearCorrect is less visible and slower acting, but still a very effective method to achieve the same goal with clear aligners. The procedure to have them put on can leave a little ache, but nothing too extreme.
This is another way to repair damaged or chipped teeth. It involves a resin – a sort of plastic – that we tint to match the natural shade of your teeth. It’s less invasive than some other methods, especially for smaller imperfections. Several layers are needed to really secure the resin, and a light is used to “dry” each layer. The spot is then polished and cleaned so it fits naturally into the tooth. It’s an easy procedure, but can take a little while.
Dentures are usually associated with ageing, but a lot of people may need dentures. They are meant to replace teeth in a natural way, and they’re typically removable. Fitting for dentures is very common; however, it takes a bit of time to get them fitted correctly and comfortably. In the end, it’s worth it to have a full set of working teeth again.
Remember, we can help you decide whether full or partial dentures or dental implants will be the best option for you!
We are a family dentistry office and we see patients from children, to adolescents, to adults. Not only are we a Lee’s Summit, MO dentist and have an incredible team, we want to treat your family and we want to treat you like family. We would never recommend a treatment for one of our patients that we wouldn’t recommend to one of our very own family members. We understand that many people have had less than stellar dental experiences and that is why we make it our goal to be accommodating to each of our patient’s unique needs.
We recognize that all of our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dentists are committed to working with you and your family to create a stress-free, comfortable, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit Premier Dental in Lee’s Summit, MO.
We love to improve the smiles of our patients – because we love to see them smile! From dental exams to complete smile makeovers that include various cosmetic dentistry options – out professional team at Premier Dental is constantly fine-tuning our craft through the art and science of dentistry to deliver the results their patients want. Dr. Caye and his team take the time to consult with each patient and understand what they like and do not like about their smile and what they envision as the result they want. Options for dental treatments are discussed, questions are answered, and the process begins with the healthy smile of their dreams as the result. Please schedule your dental exam and cleaning appointment by calling us at 816-600-6330. We look forward to meeting you!
We believe everyone should love their smile and have access to affordable dental care and quality dental treatments. Learn more about the dental procedures we offer to all ages and contact us to schedule your dental appointment. We are currently accepting new patients and we look forward to meeting you and helping you maintain, improve or enhance your smile!
Dr. Stephan Caye and his friendly, experienced team at Premier Dental offer affordable family dentistry and gentle dental care in the Lee’s Summit, MO area. Our office is conveniently located off of Highway 50 and SE Blue Parkway. We offer appointment times Monday through Friday to meet your needs. At Premier Dental, we provide most dental health services, from family and general dentistry to specialty procedures, including dental implants, dentures, endodontic or root canal therapy, teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, emergency dental care and much more. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Please call us at (816) 600-6330 to schedule an appointment.
