General Dentistry Services in Old Bridge

What Does a General Dentist Do?

General dentists are often considered the primary provider of dental care services. Also called family dentists, they treat patients of all ages. You can bring your entire family to our office for quality dental care. General dentists diagnose and treat a variety of dental issues. If you've been asking yourself, "Where can I find a good general dentist near me?", you've reached the right place. Call our general dental office today if you need an appointment.

What Are General Dentistry Services?

General dentists offer a broad range of services to keep your teeth and gums healthy. They also diagnose and treat many conditions affecting a person's oral health. Examples of services we offer include:

Tooth Repair & Replacement - A large part of general family dentistry is repairing broken, chipped or decayed teeth. We can also restore your smile if you have one or more missing teeth.

Crowns - Crowns are natural-looking tooth caps that preserve badly damaged, weakened or decayed teeth. The restore the tooth's function, as well as its appearance.

Porcelain Crowns - If you need a crown for a front tooth, a porcelain one is the most aesthetically pleasing option.

Dental Bonding - Dentists bond composite resin to teeth to fill in a fracture or chip. Bonding also prevents further damage in addition to restoring the tooth's appearance.

Dental Bridges - Teeth bridges are fixed restorations that replace a missing tooth. An artificial tooth, called a pontic, is attached to the natural teeth on both sides of the space left by the missing tooth.

Fillings - Decay causes cavities in teeth, leaving you with a hole in your tooth your dentist has to clean out and fill. Fillings keep plaque out and prevent further damage inside the tooth.

Composite Fillings - AKA white fillings, composite resin fillings blend in better than metal fillings, so they are less obvious.

Porcelain Fillings - Porcelain fillings are virtually invisible as porcelain very closely resembles tooth enamel. These versions cost more initially, but they can last up to 15 years. A composite filing, on the other hand, will often only last five to 10 years.

Laser Dentistry - Laser dentistry reduces the need for drills in dentistry. Your dentist will use a focused beam of light to remove decay if you have a cavity. He or she will need to remove less healthy tooth as the laser is more accurate than a drill. Many patients love not hearing a drill when they get a cavity filled.

Nitrous Oxide - Nitrous oxide. also called laughing gas, is a safe method dentists used to calm patients and help them relax during procedures. It's administered through a nose mask and the euphoric effect wears off within a few minutes after the dentist switches to pure oxygen.

Sealants - Sealants for teeth are a thin coating applied to the tops of molars to act as a barrier so plaque can't hide in the fissures and pits and cause cavities.

How Frequently Should I Visit a General Dentist?

Although visiting a dentist every six months is the usual recommendation, some people have oral health issues and need to see a dentist more often. If you have not visited a dentist for an exam in the last six months, or it's been longer, call today to schedule a routine exam. We can help you get your dental health back on track.

How Much Do Dental Visits Cost?

The cost for an appointment with our general dentist depends on your needs. If you have dental insurance coverage, this will also affect your cost. When you call to schedule your appointment, ask for an estimate of your cost. You can also ask about your payment options for general dentistry services.

How Does a Dentist Clean Teeth?

No matter how well you brush and floss, you still need a professional teeth cleaning at a dentist's office twice a year. The cleaning thoroughly removes plaque and tartar, which causes cavities and gum disease. Your dentist will also polish your teeth and floss them. During the cleaning, you'll learn if you need to improve your dental hygiene at home and what products could help you keep your teeth cleaner.

How Long Should I Expect My Dental Appointment to Last?

If you're anxious about getting back to school or work, you can ask us for an estimated time when you schedule your appointment. Usually, a routine exam takes about 60 minutes, but it could take longer if you haven't been to a dentist in a long time. Fillings take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.

What Do I Need to Get Ready Before My Dental Appointment?

If it's your first visit, we will take a medical history and request a list of any prescription medications you take. We will also need your dental insurance information if you have coverage. Let us know when you arrive if you're feeling anxious about the visit. We're experts at calming patients.

If you need an appointment with a dentist general practice, call us today. We can arrange a convenient appointment for you. Our team is looking forward to taking care of your dental health care needs.