Services offered General Dentistry in Clearwater

Think of your general dentist as your primary care provider for your teeth. They will check out the overall health of your teeth and make sure that they are well-taken care of. Beyond that, unless they also have necessary specializations – like a general dentist who also practices as an endodontist (endodontics is the study of root and pulp of a tooth) they will send you elsewhere if you need to have anything that involves more complex procedures.

Your general dentist will either have a DDS or DMD degree – they are basically the same thing, but different schools offer one or the other. That means doctors have been through a four-year study program and some of them might have stayed longer to get certified in certain specialties, which were mentioned above – they are the ones who are the best equipped to save a damaged or infected tooth and possibly allow you to keep the tooth altogether.

The staff at Dental Emergency Room is equipped to help!

Other specialties include orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. If the general dentist is also a specialist, it can be considered essentially a one-stop-shop for all your dental needs.

Let’s take a look at what services a general dentist offers:  

X-rays

You will probably have to do this part of your visit maybe once a year. You can apply for various kinds of financial help like dental plans, CareCredit, etc. Your general dentist will have you bite into several plates to get X-rays at many different angles of your jaw. Technology has begun to make things even easier, with some offices offering digital imaging, which is a lot less time-consuming and is a lot more comfortable. The general dentist needs these to keep track of the state of your mouth.

Overall Gum Health

Your general dentist, sometimes working alongside a hygienist, will work with you to make sure you have proper brushing and flossing habits. They will do a thorough cleaning every six months, scraping away plaque and ensuring that there are no signs of gingivitis or cavities.

Depending on how diligently you have been using the correct brushing and flossing techniques, it can be a routine visit or one that can seem to last a lot longer because of painful gums. They can also give you tips on preventing any tooth decay or gum disease. They will also check for oral cancers.

Other Procedures

A general dentist can do other procedures for you if needed, especially if they have a certification as a specialist. They can do a root canal – though if your tooth is in really bad shape, you might want to see an endodontist since they specialize in the root and pulp of the tooth. You can also get some restorative work done, like getting new or fixing old fillings, crowns, or bridges.

While an oral surgeon usually does tooth extractions, like wisdom teeth removals, a general dentist can do extractions as well. You should see a specialist if you require dentures or dental implants, though you may not have to go too far if your general dentist practices in a dental group setting alongside these other specialists.

While it’s great that you have a general dentist to see, life still goes on and sometimes you need something done fast. That’s why Dental Emergency Room is here for you.

While it’s great that you have a general dentist to see, sometimes life happens and you need something done, fast. That’s why Dental Emergency Room is around. If you have an accident over the weekend, you won’t have to wait for an agonizing day or two for your general dentist to come to his or her office. The really good news is that we are also a General Dentist as well and can handle most of your dental needs within our office or our other office located nearby in Palm Harbor. If you’re in the Clearwater, Florida area, you can come to the Dental Emergency Room, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.