Do you need dental care in Lilburn? Whether you require an exam and cleaning, restorative work like fillings, crowns, and root canals, or cosmetic dentistry such as whitening or porcelain veneers, Great Care Family Dentistry can take care of all your dental needs. We treat patients of all ages and you can schedule cleanings and exams for your whole family.
Why Should You See a Dentist in Lilburn if You Don’t Have a Toothache?
A survey published in Dentistry Today found that about 20 percent of American adults never see a dentist or only go to one if they’re in pain or have an emergency. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal situation. There are numerous reasons to see a dentist even if nothing is hurting you, and here are some of the most important:
Preventing Painful Problems
Waiting until you’re in pain to see a dentist increases the risk that you will spend more time in pain and you may have more intense pain as the problem gets worse. Many minor issues, like small cavities, cause little to no pain, but if they go untreated, they can turn into more serious challenges, like an abscessed tooth. When you come in for regular cleanings and exams, we can identify these issues early and treat them before they become painful.
Keeping Your Smile Healthy
Regular cleanings also serve to prevent many dental problems before they start. When you come in for a cleaning, an oral hygienist carefully scrapes plaque and tartar off your teeth. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that clings to teeth, although brushing can remove some. Sometimes plaque forms faster than you can brush it off, or some will remain after brushing (especially if you consume a lot of sugary foods or drinks). This lingering plaque contributes to cavities and decay, and it can also harden into tartar, especially near the gum line where it’s harder to clean the teeth.
Ideally, you should have cleanings twice a year – if you have dental insurance, this is usually covered. Your hygienist will thoroughly remove plaque and tartar, slowing the buildup and reducing the risk of cavities, abscesses, and other issues.
Saving Money
Some people avoid dental treatment because of the cost. While we understand the need to budget during unpredictable economic times, putting off care can also lead to more expensive treatment later on. For instance, filling a small cavity is much less costly than having a root canal or getting a crown. If you put off seeing a dentist until you’re in pain, your copay will probably be a lot higher.
Boosting the Appearance of Your Teeth
Removing plaque and tartar can help improve the look of your teeth, but if you have significant stains or discoloration, you will also have a chance to consult with a dentist about whitening treatments. The dentist may ask if you have difficulties with any gaps between teeth left by extractions or other cosmetic issues you might want to resolve.
Advice and Education
If you have any challenges with your teeth, your oral hygienist or dentist might be able to provide advice or education to help with these concerns. In many cases, patients have more plaque and tartar buildup than they should with regular brushing and flossing. Sometimes having the hygienist go over best brushing practices can really make a difference.
If your brushing technique needs work, you’re not alone – research shows that about one-third of people aren’t brushing correctly, and making simple changes can vastly improve your oral health. For instance, your hygienist may recommend spending more time brushing along the gum line or using a timer to ensure you brush for a full two minutes. In other situations, we may recommend a fluoride treatment or high-fluoride toothpaste to improve oral health or help with sensitivity.
What Services Are Offered at a Dentist Office in Lilburn?
Aside from cleanings and exams, Great Care Family Dentistry can help you with many other dental issues. Here are some of the services we provide:
Fillings
We’ll repair a cavity by drilling out the decay and placing a filling in the small hole left behind. These fillings can be made of metal amalgam, but many people prefer the look of composite resin, which blends in with your teeth. A small filling may take only 20 or 30 minutes to fill, although a larger one may require a little more time.
Crowns
A crown encases the entire tooth and protects it from damage and disease in situations where the tooth can’t be fixed with fillings or other treatments. It may be helpful if the tooth has a significant chip or crack or has been worn down from use.
We usually schedule two appointments. The first is to drill and shape the tooth so that it will fit easily under the crown. We also take a mold to make the crown from at this appointment. At the second visit, we’ll cement the crown onto the tooth, then check your bite to be sure it fits comfortably. If not, we’re happy to adjust the crown at any of our dentist offices in Duluth, Lilburn, or Lawrenceville.
Root Canals
Sometimes decay gets past the hard, upper layers of a tooth and into the pulp, a grouping of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue at the center of the tooth. This can happen due to an untreated cavity, or even a chip or crack that opens the door for bacteria to enter the tooth. As the bacteria invade the pulp, it becomes inflamed and painful. Once the damage has become irreversible, your only options will be extracting the tooth and getting a root canal.
A root canal is usually preferred unless there is a reason that it’s not a good option. In this procedure, we remove all the inflamed tissue in the pulp and reshape the root canal, then pack it with inert material. After placing a temporary filling, we’ll make a mold and order a crown to protect the damaged tooth.
Extractions and Dental Implants
When a tooth can’t be saved through restorative work like a filling or root canal, an extraction may be in order. After thoroughly numbing the area, we’ll remove the damaged tooth and place gauze over the empty socket. In some cases, we may add a few stitches.
After you’ve recovered from the tooth extraction, you may want to do something about the gap left behind by the tooth. There are several solutions, including removable or permanent bridges and dental implants. Your dentist will go over the options and you can decide what you’d like to do.
Cosmetic Dentistry
You should never hesitate to smile because you aren’t happy with how your smile looks. Tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, bonding, crowns, gum contouring, or tooth contouring – all of these services may help to correct various cosmetic issues, such as stained or discolored teeth, gaps between teeth, or misshaped/misaligned teeth.
Children’s Dentistry
Kids need regular dental visits as well, beginning when they’re about 12 months old. Our friendly staff will do everything possible to make your child feel safe and comfortable during their visit. If they need any dental work, we also have safe sedation options that work for young children.
Contact a Family Dentist in Lilburn
Please give us a call at Great Care Family Dentistry and let us know how we can help you. Our administrative staff is ready to book an appointment or answer questions about insurance coverage in Duluth, Lilburn, or Lawrenceville.