General Dentistry

    Not every patient requires the services of a specialist, although many patients have conditions that a specialist should treat. In our Indio area practice, general dentistry includes all of the services that most patients expect from a dental office, including diagnostic services, x-rays, fillings, crowns, and aesthetic dental procedures. In this practice, having the 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 problems and diseases.

    Preventing serious dental conditions begins at home with good oral hygiene and a nutritious diet. It is maintained in the dental office by your dentist and dental hygienist to improve and restore your overall oral health. Preventative care includes regular dental visits that include general exams, cleanings and x-rays and can even continue to deeper treatments such as sealants and fluoride to help protect your teeth.

    Prevention helps avoid painful and costly dental problems in the future and is crucial to achieving a healthy, confident and beautiful smile.

Diagnostic Services

    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

    Dental x-rays are beneficial, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide your dentist with beneficial 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 and cause further problems.

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

    A filling repairs and restores the surface of the tooth that has been damaged by decay, cavity, 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 common early warning sign of enamel loss due to tooth decay. While there could be a wide variety of reasons for this sensitivity, only your dentist can diagnose its underlying cause. If a damaged tooth surface is not treated early, your discomfort will increase and additional or alternative dental treatments may be necessary.

Crowns

    Teeth are often restored using silver or porcelain fillings, but when a large portion of the tooth must be removed, a dental crown (sometimes called “caps”), may also be needed. 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.
    Desert Dental Specialty Group is the only dental group in the Indio 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