Your Regular Dental Visit
Dental appointments are important for keeping your oral hygiene intact. While you may brush and floss your teeth regularly, there are usually areas of our mouths that are difficult to clean thoroughly. Our experienced and gentle team can help you keep your smile sparkling.
Exams, Cleanings, & X-Rays
At your dental exam and cleaning, we’ll thoroughly clean your teeth of any plaque, calculus, and bacteria on them. Even if you brush and floss your teeth every day, there are spots in your mouth that can be difficult to clean completely.
These areas can attract harmful bacteria that cause cavities and oral diseases if they aren’t cleaned properly. As a part of your regular appointment, we’ll also examine your oral health to catch any of these diseases before they become severe.
Oral Cancer Screening
An oral cancer screening may be conducted during your regular dental examination. This screening is quick and non-invasive, so it won’t be intrusive. We perform this exam so we can catch any instances of oral disease before it becomes severe.
Deep Cleanings
Gum disease can have detrimental effects on your oral health and on the appearance of your smile. Luckily, treatment for gum disease is usually easily accomplished with a deep cleaning.
Also called scaling and root planing, this treatment consists of two parts. Your teeth will first be scaled, meaning the hardened plaque will be cleaned off of all areas of your teeth and gums. Then, during root planing, your tooth roots will be smoothed out to make it more difficult for harmful bacteria to attach to them.
After your deep cleaning, you’ll be given instructions on caring for your oral hygiene. It’s important to follow these instructions to reverse the effects of the disease and get your smile healthy again.
Cavity Treatment & Root Canal Therapy
When bacteria infect your teeth, they eat through the various layers of your teeth until they reach the center. The first layer of your teeth is called the enamel, which is the hard, white outer layer that protects your teeth.
After the bacteria eat through the enamel, they begin to attack the dentin. This is a softer, yellow layer just below the enamel. Once they’re through the dentin, the bacteria can get into the center of your teeth where important nerves and tissues called the pulp are located.
Composite Fillings
To treat a cavity, your dentist will have to remove the parts of your tooth that are infected. Then, to restore your tooth, they’ll fill in the hole with protective material. In the past, the most commonly used material was a silver-toned amalgam.
But nowadays, the most popular cavity treatment is a composite filling. The main reason why composite fillings are so popular is that they blend in with the natural color of your tooth. These fillings are also strong and can withstand your daily life, requiring no special care.
Root Canal Therapy
The infected pulp can be extremely painful and to save your tooth. At this point, the only way to save your tooth is through root canal therapy. During the procedure, your infected pulp will be removed from your tooth and save you from pain.
If you can’t undergo root canal therapy or your root canal therapy is unsuccessful, you may require an extraction. After your extraction, your dentist can give you a beautiful and natural-looking tooth replacement such as a dental implant.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend dental cleanings every six months in order to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Over time, plaque can build up on your teeth and harden, making it difficult to clean. We can clean your teeth thoroughly so these areas are less likely to become cavities.
Some patients may need to have dental cleanings more often due to an increased risk of oral disease. If this is you, your dentist will let you know and work with you to develop an oral hygiene regimen that works for you.
No, your dental cleaning shouldn’t be painful. If you feel pain during your cleaning, let your hygienist know immediately. Pain during cleaning can be a sign of an oral health issue.
You may have a cavity or periodontal issue that needs to be resolved. Your dentist will examine the area of pain and determine the cause of it, then recommend a treatment option.
Yes, dental cleanings are necessary if you want a healthy and beautiful smile. Even if you clean your teeth regularly, there are areas that are hard to clean. We’ll make sure that these hard-to-reach areas are thoroughly clean of bacteria and plaque buildup.
Along with your dental cleaning, we’ll also perform an examination of your oral health. If there are any issues with your health, we hope to catch them at a regular six-month appointment before the issue becomes severe. Treatment can be quicker and easier if the issue is detected at this time.
Visit Dr. Cortes for a Beautiful Smile
Dr. Cortes and our entire Davie, FL dental team are experienced and friendly. We’ll do our very best to ensure you have a sparkling smile that you love.
To learn more about our services or to ask a question, call our office at (954) 251-0804 or fill out our easy online contact form, available on this page. We’ll be happy to speak with you.