Dentist Las Vegas is an accredited medical professional who specializes in the care of the mouth. Dentists work with other health care professionals to ensure patients receive comprehensive dental care. They must have excellent manual dexterity and a keen medical mind.
Dentists often incur significant educational debt, which can limit their earning potential early in their careers. Some also face a variety of workplace challenges.
Dental hygiene is a key part of overall health. It helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other oral conditions that can have negative effects on overall health, including heart disease and diabetes.
Brushing twice daily, especially before and after meals, flossing regularly and cutting back on sugary foods can help to reduce plaque and stains. You can also use mouthwashes to help keep bacteria at bay and improve your breath.
To become a dental hygienist, you need an associate degree from an accredited institution and a license to practice in your state. High school courses in math, science and health can help prepare you for a dental hygiene program. You should also have good manual dexterity, attention to detail and communication skills. Those who want to advance their careers in dental hygiene can pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field.
Dental Cleanings
A dental cleaning is an important preventive treatment that helps patients maintain good oral health. It removes plaque and tartar buildup on teeth surfaces and under the gum line to reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral complications.
Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay, and it is one of the biggest reasons for gum disease. Gum disease destroys the bone and tissue that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss if not treated promptly.
Teeth cleanings also eliminate stubborn stains on the surface of teeth, making them look fresher and more attractive. This can boost your self-esteem and help you feel more confident about showing off your smile. In addition, studies have shown a link between dental hygiene and general mental health. So don’t delay in scheduling your next dentist appointment!
Dental Exams
The dental exam is a crucial step in preserving oral health. However, a visit to the dentist often brings with it feelings of anxiety and apprehension. This is often due to a lack of understanding of the various dental exams and their purpose.
A full dental exam often includes a visual examination of the patient’s teeth and gums, a periodontal (gum) exam to determine how well the gum tissue is performing, an oral cancer screening, and a comprehensive dental examination including X-rays. This gives the dentist a complete overview of the patient’s oral health and allows them to formulate a treatment plan.
Regular dental exams can catch issues early, such as weakened enamel or gum disease, and prevent them from progressing into more complex and costly treatments down the road. The dentist can also provide helpful tips and tricks for better brushing and flossing habits.
Dental X-Rays
X-rays are an important diagnostic tool that provide valuable information not only about your teeth but also your bones. X-rays are safe for most patients and emit very little radiation, which is far less than that we are exposed to on a daily basis from natural sources (sunlight, soil, air).
A panoramic X-ray provides an overview of your mouth in one image. It shows the position of fully emerged and impacted teeth, the location of jaw joints and nerves, and helps dentists spot cysts, abscesses or sinuses.
A periapical X-ray provides more detailed images of the tooth, from crown to root, to help dentists detect deep cavities and bone changes related to gum disease or infection. Dentists may also use computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to get more detailed images of your oral structures.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a popular and effective treatment for replacing missing teeth. They offer improved appearance, speech, chewing ability, and overall oral health. They also avoid the need to alter healthy adjacent teeth, which is often required for bridges.
Innovative implant procedures utilize advanced biocompatible materials and enhance tissue integration. In addition, minimally invasive techniques make surgery and recovery easier for patients, resulting in better outcomes and satisfaction.
The standard procedure involves placing a titanium screw-shaped implant in the jawbone. After a period of healing, an abutment is attached, and the final prosthesis (either a single tooth, a bridge, or a full arch) is placed on top. The abutment and replacement teeth are held in place by the implant, which integrates with the bone in a process called osseointegration. Depending on the patient, this may take several months.
Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a common cosmetic dental procedure that lightens teeth and removes stains. Many over-the-counter and in-office bleaching products use oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down and reduce intrinsic or extrinsic staining on the surface of the tooth.
The color of your teeth is determined by the natural pigments in the enamel and dentine layers, and can be changed by foods, drinks, medications and injury. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution, and the effects will fade over time if you continue to expose your teeth to staining substances.
To keep your teeth white, brush last thing at night and at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and visit your dental hygienist for regular cleanings. Avoiding staining substances like colas, tea, coffee and red wine will help, as well as quitting smoking.
Dentures
It can take a little time to get used to wearing dentures. It is normal to have sore spots, and you may need to use a soft diet initially.
A dentist can make a number of adjustments to improve the fit and comfort of your dentures, including relining or rebasing. Dentures that are ill-fitting can cause discomfort and even pose health risks.
A well-fitting denture will look and feel more like natural teeth, and you will have the ability to eat more comfortably. It is also important to brush and floss daily, which will prevent bacteria from building up inside your mouth. The resulting healthy mouth will help you speak and pronounce words better, which can lead to a greater sense of confidence and well-being. Using a small amount of denture adhesive can also improve your experience.
Root Canals
Root canals are performed when the soft inner portion of a tooth (pulp) becomes inflamed or infected. Leaving damaged pulp untreated can result in future bone loss in the jaw, a painful tooth abscess, or even the death of the tooth itself.
Root Canal Treatment
Before performing a root canal, the dentist will apply numbing medication to the affected tooth and gums. They will then use a rubber sheet called a “dam” to keep the tooth dry and prevent you from swallowing or breathing in any chemicals used during treatment.
Your endodontist will then drill through the biting surface of the tooth to access the pulp tissue inside. They will remove the damaged pulp tissue and sterilize the space with a disinfectant such as sodium hypochlorite. The empty root canals are filled with a rubber-like material and medicated cement. The opening in the tooth is then closed with a temporary filling.
Extractions
Tooth extractions are effective treatments for a range of dental issues. They relieve severe toothache and infections, and protect the health of surrounding teeth and tissues. They can also be used to alleviate overcrowding and prepare the mouth for orthodontic treatment.
After numbing the area with local anesthesia, we will use a tool called an elevator to loosen the tooth in its socket, and then a pair of dental forceps will remove it from your mouth. We typically place a gauze pad over the extraction site to control bleeding and promote clot formation.
Surgical extractions are more complex procedures that involve impacted wisdom teeth, broken off teeth at the gum line, or other conditions. These usually require us to make an incision in the gum tissue or bone to access the tooth, and may require cutting it into smaller pieces for removal.
Cosmetic Dentistry
The cosmetic dentistry field covers a broad range of treatments that improve your smile’s aesthetics, including teeth whitening, dental bonding and veneers. Other cosmetic procedures include gum contouring, which reshapes excessive gum tissue for a more balanced appearance.
While most of the treatments performed by general dentists are geared towards ensuring your oral health and preventing tooth loss, cosmetic dentistry procedures are more about boosting self-confidence and giving you the smile you always wanted. The right dentist can help you achieve the perfect smile by correcting discoloration, gaps and chips.
While traditional dental work like fillings is usually done with silver (amalgam) or porcelain, a cosmetic dentist will use composite materials that match your teeth’s natural color for the best results. This also applies to other cosmetic dental treatments, such as crowns and bridges. Some of these treatments may be covered by your insurance.