General Dentistry
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Not every patient will require the services of a specialist, but many do have conditions that a specialist should treat. In our Cathedral City area practice, general dentistry involves all of the services that most patients expect from a dental office, including diagnostic services, x-rays, fillings, crowns, and aesthetic dental procedures. In addition, having specialists on-hand for immediate consultation is an amazing benefit to your general dental care.
A preventive dental program is crucial to the preservation of the natural foundation of your teeth and supporting structures by preventing the onset, advancement, and recurrence of dental conditions and diseases.
Preventing dental problems begins at home with good oral hygiene and a nutritious diet and is maintained in the dental office by your dentist and dental hygienist. Preventative care includes regular dental visits that include general exams, cleanings and x-rays and can even extend to deeper treatments such as sealants and fluoride to help protect your teeth.
Prevention helps avoid serious and costly dental problems in the future and is vitally important to achieving a healthy, confident and beautiful smile.
Diagnostic Services
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We welcome every new patient to our practice with a Comprehensive Initial Examination. This visit includes the following services:
- Digital X-rays
- Photographs of all teeth
- Charting of periodontal health
- Occlusal evaluation
- Review of medications and health history
- Dental history and chief complaint
- Study models
Dental X-Rays
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Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide your dentist with valuable information that is not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to detect hidden dental complications and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, hidden problem areas can go undetected and untreated.
Dental x-rays may reveal:
- Abscesses or cysts
- Bone loss
- Decay between the teeth
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line
- Poor tooth and root positions
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
- Developmental abnormalities
Fillings
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Dental fillings repair and restore the surface of a tooth that has been damaged by cavity, decay, fracture or wear. A filling may also be necessary when a tooth’s surface needs to be evened out to improve your ability to bite or chew.
Tooth sensitivity is the most general early warning sign of enamel loss due to tooth decay. While there could be a number of reasons for this sensitivity, only your dentist can diagnose the underlying cause. If a damaged tooth surface is not treated early, your discomfort will increase and additional or alternative dental treatments may be required.
Crowns
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Teeth are often restored using silver or porcelain fillings, but when a large portion of the tooth needs to be removed, a dental crown (sometimes called a “cap”), may also be necessary. Following an extensive dental treatment such as a root canal, extraction, tooth decay or a broken tooth, a dental crown replaces the outermost layer of the tooth, reconstructing the tooth natural shape and size. This covering is permanent bonded over the existing tooth, restoring the appearance and function of the natural tooth.
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Desert Dental Specialty Group is the only dental group in the Cathedral City area that combines specialties of Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Endodontics with General Dental Care for the entire family. Call and make an appointment today (760) 568-5928
