Taking care of your smile involves much more than brushing and flossing. Sooner or later, just about everyone will require some type of professional dental treatment options, whether it is preventive, restorative, or cosmetic. Thankfully, modern dentistry provides numerous answers to make sure your smile remains healthy, comfortable, and attractive.
Here, we will look into some of the most common dental treatment options practiced today. Whether you’re going in for a cleaning or contemplating a cosmetic update, having knowledge about your options can make it easier to discuss them with a trained professional and commit to your dental health.
List of Common Dental Treatment Options
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Just as cleaning your car is necessary for its maintenance, cleaning your mouth is fundamental to any good oral hygiene routine. Dental hygienists wield special tools to remove plaque and tartar deposits that brushing alone can’t budge.
Benefits:
- Protects against cavities and gum disease
- Keeps breath fresh
- Allows early identification of dental problems
Your teeth might feel and look fine, but it’s still important to get regular cleanings for long-term oral health.
Dental Fillings
Most people get them at least once in their lives. If tooth decay creates a hole in the enamel, a filling is used to restore and reinforce the tooth’s shape and function.
Types of fillings:
- Composite (tooth-colored)
- Amalgam (silver)
- Ceramic or porcelain
The process is fast and efficient, typically in one visit.
Root Canal Therapy
If decay or infection progresses to the central pulp of the tooth, a root canal is required. This dental treatment option includes taking out the injured pulp and cleaning it from inside the tooth, and sealing off the tooth.
Signs you may need a root canal:
- Severe toothache
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- Swollen gums or abscess
Thanks to modern techniques, root canals are now far less painful than their reputation suggests.
Dental Crowns
Crowns are custom caps placed over a tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. They’re often used after root canals, large fillings, or fractures.
Common materials include:
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
- Metal alloys
- Zirconia
Crowns can also be used to improve the look of severely discolored or misshapen teeth.
Dental Bridges
If you’re missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge can fill the gap using a false tooth supported by crowns on adjacent teeth. It’s a durable and cost-effective solution to restore both function and aesthetics.
Benefits:
- Improves chewing and speech
- Keeps adjacent teeth from moving into the gap left by the old tooth.
- Whitening improves the look of your smile
Dentures
Dentures are a removable appliance for missing teeth. Benkovic Orthodontics offers both full and partial dentures so that your need for a complete smile can be met easily and comfortably.
Today’s dentures feel more comfortable and natural than ever. Not only do they replace missing teeth and restore function, they also enhance the appearance of a smile and make a positive impact on the quality of life of most edentulous patients.
Dental Implants
Permanent implants for missing teeth. Dental implants are a viable, long-term option for replacing missing teeth. A titanium root is implanted in the jaw and serves as an anchor for a restoration (crown, bridge, or denture).
Advantages:
- They look and feel like real teeth
- Prevent jawbone loss
- Very tough and long-lasting
Although more costly than other alternatives, implants are the best for maintaining normal form and function.
Teeth Whitening
We offer you one of the most requested cosmetic dental treatment options, teeth whitening, to improve your smile. In-office whitening has immediate results, while take-home kits require a bit more time but lead to the same great results. Whitening is safe when used under a dentist’s supervision and can remove most food and drink stains, as well as tobacco and some aging stains.
Braces or orthodontic treatment
With orthodontics, you can straighten teeth that are not in line. With traditional braces, brackets, and wires work together to straighten teeth, and in the case of adults and teens, that sometimes comes in the form of clear aligners, such as Invisalign.
Benefits:
- Enhances bite and jaw alignment
- Makes oral hygiene easier
- Improves looks and self-confidence
- Treatment varies, but on average takes 6-24 months
Dental Veneers
Veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials that are designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance (color), shape, and in some cases, size. They are frequently used for aesthetic improvements and are constructed from porcelain or composite.
Ideal for:
- Discolored teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Worn-down or chipped teeth
Veneers can instantly improve your smile without much removal of tooth structure.
Conclusion
Whether you need a simple cleaning or a more involved restorative treatment, dental treatment options have come a long way in terms of comfort and accessibility. Whether you need to restore compromised teeth, replace missing teeth, or just want a whiter smile, there is an answer that works for you, your lifestyle, and your pocket.
If you’re ready to improve your oral health or transform your smile, Benkovich Orthodontics dental practice offers a full spectrum of dental treatment options. From preventive care to advanced cosmetic procedures, his team is committed to providing comfortable, personalized care for every patient. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.
