GENERAL DENTISTRY SERVICES
Regular Dental Appointments
Regular dental checkups are the best way to prevent potential oral health problems. Oak Ridge Family Dental offers patient-friendly appointment times 6 days a week.
Our patients benefit from:
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An on-site dental lab
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Certified dentists
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A family practice since 1969
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More than 50 years of combined experience
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FREE initial consultation
Read on to learn more about our general dental services.
Dental Cleanings
Routine dental cleanings every 6 months are important for maintaining good oral hygiene. A professional hygienist can remove mineralized plaque that occurs even with careful brushing and flossing, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
The first step in a dental cleaning is scaling the teeth (by hand or electrically) to remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces. Typically, the hygienist will dig into the gum pockets to remove plaque buildup.
The second step is polishing to remove remaining plaque and buff the teeth. Polishers have several different head sizes for cleaning hard-to-reach places.
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Dental cleanings last 30 to 60 minutes
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A dentist may examine your teeth after the hygienist finishes the cleaning
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Painless or minimal discomfort
Dental Exams & X-Rays
Routine dental exams are important to maintaining healthy teeth and gums, and they can help you avoid expensive treatments later on. The Academy of General Dentistry recommends checkups twice a year for people of all ages, so most problems can be detected in the early stages.
The dentist examines your mouth visually, using dental equipment such as mouth mirrors, dental picks, and high-intensity lights.
The dentist will look for cracked and decayed teeth, as well as review other important items such as:
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Medical history review
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Examination of tooth decay
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Oral cancer screening (face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums)
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Gum disease evaluation
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Examination of existing restorations (current fillings, crowns, and other restorations)
Your dentist will take diagnostic X-rays to reveal any hidden problems, especially in the areas below the gums. Bitewing X-rays are typically taken every 12 months. A panographic X-ray, which revolves around the head, is taken every 3 to 5 years.
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are made from a combination of metals such as tin, copper, silver, and mercury. This combination of metals gives amalgam its renowned strength and durability. With an amalgam filling, the tooth may experience a temporary period of heightened sensitivity to hot and cold. Amalgam fillings do not harden instantaneously. It’s recommended that you avoid chewing in that area for a few hours. Make sure to consult your dentist to understand which type of filling is right for you.
Tooth Extractions
Extractions are dental procedures for removing teeth from your mouth. A dental extraction is most commonly required when a tooth is damaged beyond practical repair.
The most common reasons for a tooth extraction include:
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Severe tooth decay or infection may make it impossible or too costly to repair a tooth
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To prevent advanced gum disease from harming the supporting tissues and bones
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A tooth is blocking other teeth from coming in
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To create room for teeth that are being moved into place during orthodontic work
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Wisdom teeth are often extracted either before or after they come in
Your dentist starts by administering an anesthetic to numb the area and reduce discomfort. During the extraction, you will feel the pressure on the tooth being removed, but will not feel any pain. Typically, the dentist is able to remove your tooth within a matter of minutes.
Immediately after the tooth extraction, a small amount of bleeding is normal and a patch of gauze will be placed in the affected area. The area may bleed minimally for the next 24 hours or so and taper off after that.
Follow your dentist's instructions for changing the gauze and other post-procedure steps.