What to expect for your general dentist visit

What to expect at your tooth filling appointment:
When you come in for a tooth filling, your dentist will prep the area around your tooth with local anesthetic so you’re comfortable during your procedure. Then they’ll use a dental drill to remove the decayed portion of the tooth, leaving behind a clean cavity. Once the cavity is been cleared of any debris or bacteria, they’ll shape it, prepare it for the filling material and prepare the cavity. After the filling is place, your dentist will shape it to match your tooth and ensure your bite is properly aligned. Then they’ll polish the filling to smooth everything out and ensure it blends in seamlessly with the rest of the tooth structure. When they’re done, your dentist will check your bite to ensure it feels comfortable and natural.

What to expect after your procedure:
After your visit, you may experience sensitivity to cold when you bite down with the tooth or a mild toothache. These symptoms are common, but if they worsen or change, give your care team a call to discuss next steps.

For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about tooth fillings today.

What to expect for your first appointment:

1. Consultation and exam:
   Your dentist will examine your teeth and discuss your treatment options.
   They’ll evaluate the condition of your teeth and gums to determine which solution is best for you: a crown or bridge.
   

2. Preparation:
   For a crown: Your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a portion of its outer layer to make room for the crown.
   For a bridge: If you're getting a traditional bridge, your adjacent teeth will be prepared similarly to receiving crowns.
   If necessary, impressions or digital scans of your teeth will be taken to create a custom-fitted crown or bridge.
   

3. Temporary restoration:
   While your permanent crown or bridge is being fabricated in a dental laboratory (which typically takes a couple of weeks), so your dentist may place a temporary restoration to protect the prepared tooth or teeth, or have you come in for your procedure once the permanent crown or bridge is ready.
   This temporary restoration is usually made of acrylic and is not as durable as the permanent one.
   To prepare your recommended solution, they’ll numb the area around the teeth that will be getting a crown or bridge, prep the tooth or teeth with drilling to remove bacteria or infection and shape it to get it ready for its temporary crown or bridge.
   

4. Final placement:
   Once your permanent crown or bridge is ready, you'll return to the dental office for its placement.
   Your dentist will remove the temporary restoration (if applicable) and check the fit and appearance of the permanent crown or bridge.
   After ensuring a proper fit, the crown or bridge will be cemented into place using dental adhesive.
   

5. Adjustments and bite check:
   Your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your bite feels comfortable and natural with the new restoration.
   They may also check your bite using special articulating paper to ensure that your teeth come together properly.
   

What to expect for your follow-up:

1. As your anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel discomfort or mild tenderness after your procedure.

2. Until you have your final restoration, avoid eating with that tooth and stick to soft to medium textured foods. Avoid sticky, creamy or crunchy food.

For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about crowns and bridges today.

What to expect at your root canal appointment:

1. Anesthesia: before starting the procedure, your dentist numb the area of your root canal site to minimize discomfort.

2. Access opening: once the area is numb, your dentist will create an opening in the crown of your tooth to access the pulp chamber and root canals.

3. Cleaning and shaping: using small instruments called files, your dentist will carefully remove any infected or damaged pulp tissue from the pulp chamber and root canals. They will also shape the canals to prepare them for a filling.

4. Filling: after the canals are cleaned and shaped, they’ll be filled with a biocompatible material called gutta-percha to seal them off and prevent infection or contamination.

5. Final restoration: once your root canal is complete, your permanent restoration will be added to your tooth to strengthen it and restore its function and appearance. In some cases, a temporary filling may be placed in the opening of the tooth to protect it until your permanent restoration, like a crown, is ready and can be placed.
   
   

What to expect after your procedure:

1. As your anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel discomfort or mild tenderness after your procedure.

2. Until you have your final restoration, avoid eating with that tooth and stick to soft to medium textured foods. Avoid sticky, creamy or crunchy food.

For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about root canals today.

What to expect at your tooth extraction appointment:

1. First, your dentist will numb the area of your extraction site to minimize discomfort.

2. Once your anesthesia has been applied, they’ll begin your procedure to extract the tooth or teeth causing you pain.

3. During your procedure, you may feel pressure, but not sharp pain, as your tooth or teeth are being extracted.
   

What to expect after your procedure:

1. As your anesthesia wears off, it’s normal to feel discomfort after your procedure.
   

2. You may or may not receive stitches. If you do, your care team will provide you care instructions for these.

3. You may experience bruising or swelling. If you do, ice the area outside of your mouth (against your cheek or jaw) and take any prescribed medication.

4. Within the first 24 hours, you may experience bleeding which is completely normal.
   
   For any other questions or concerns, your care team will review post-operation instructions with you to make sure you feel confident in what you’ll need and how to stay comfortable while healing. Learn more about tooth extractions today.