PATIENT EDUCATION

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GENERAL DENTISTRY CHICAGO ILLINOIS

The preview of general dentistry is the over-all health and well being of your mouth – the teeth, gums, tongue and maxillofacial region (your jaw and lower face). The General Dentist medical training covers a wide variety of restorative and preventative procedures. Treatments offered can range from routine procedures – such as cleanings, fillings, crowns and bridges – to more involved procedures, like extractions, root canals, and the creation of dentures and implants for patients.

 

First and foremost, the concern of general dentistry is to assist in the upkeep of a patient’s oral care and hygienic techniques. As prevention of oral disease is less costly, less invasive, and simple to perform, it is preferable to the comparatively more costly, invasive, and time consuming treatment methods that become necessary once an oral disease has been given the opportunity to develop. Therefore, regular check-ups, cleanings, and the proper attention to oral health in the home are the first line of defense against gum disease and tooth decay; the two most common diseases treated in general dentistry.

 

In the event that such diseases do develop, or other adverse conditions arise to complicate a patient’s comfort or ability, the General Dentist’s job is the diagnosis and treatment of such difficulties. If a patient is experiencing an atypical ailment or has an exceptionally problematic disorder, the General Dentist may refer him or her to a specialist, who deals exclusively with that particular oral disease. Otherwise, the General Dentist is well qualified in treating the more common complications to a patient’s oral health.

 

Because the General Dentist’s abilities are wide ranging, qualifying them to treat a broad variety of ailments across a spectrum of age groups, the General Dentist often ends up tending to the oral care of entire families, effectively practicing “family dentistry.” The schooling required to earn a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) is rigorous and extensive, equipping the General Dentist with the medical qualifications and expertise to manage the diverse challenges of oral healthcare. Whether your oral healthcare needs are preventative, restorative, cosmetic or surgical, your General Dentist is well prepared to provide the services you and your family require to remain in excellent health.