What Are the Different Types of Dental Treatments That Exist Today?

Dentistry is a practice that has been around for centuries. However, today, the dental industry is bigger than ever before. In fact, 63 percent of all adults over the age of 18 and above visited a dentist’s office in 2020 alone. 

While there are indeed thousands of different kinds of dental procedures that exist today, there are only a select few that are performed regularly. Read on to learn everything there is to know about three of the most popular types of dental treatments today. 

Why Do People Get Dental Treatments? 

Millions of people all over the world visit their dentist with all sorts of problems ranging from something as simple as a toothache, to more severe conditions such as gum disease. 

Below, we discuss three common dental treatments that you should know about. 

1. Dental Implants

According to one survey, nearly 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth. Tooth loss can occur for a variety of reasons. Among these are decay, injury, cancer, and many other conditions. 

Contrary to what people might think, there are actually a few different types of dental implants. Some of the most common are:

1. Endosteal implants

When a dentist installs endosteal implants, they replace the tooth roots with screws or cylinders that are often constructed from titanium. Sometimes, ceramic materials might also be used. 

2. Subperiosteal implants

This type of dental implant is quite different from the one previously mentioned in that the implant is not directly installed into the jawbone. Rather, subperiosteal implants rest on top of the bone and just underneath the gums. 

3. Zygomatic implants

As implied by the name, zygomatic implants are a set of prosthetic upper teeth that are inserted into the zygomatic bones—which are located underneath the eye sockets and form the prominence of the cheeks. 

4. Tooth Fillings

Tooth fillings are a simple type of dental procedure that your local dentist can perform. Essentially, this treatment “fills” a tooth that has been damaged by decay or a cavity. 

The most common substance used for dental fillings is known as dental amalgam. It is a mixture of various metals including tin, mercury, copper, and silver. Most tooth fillings last about 15 years before they have to be replaced. 

5. Tooth Extractions

Simply put, this is when a tooth is too damaged to be repaired by either a filling or crown and the dentist must remove it. 

The process of extracting a tooth is not complex. First, the dentist loosens the tooth using an instrument known as an elevator. Then, the dentist grips the tooth with his or her forceps and gently removes the tooth from the patient’s mouth. 

Many patients who have never had a tooth pulled wonder if it might cause pain. Luckily, one does not need to be the best dentist to remove a tooth without pain. Before the procedure, dentists always use anesthesia to prevent the patient from experiencing pain. 

Visit Your Dentist Today

Well, there you have it. We have discussed three of the most common types of dental treatments that exist today such as dental implants, tooth fillings, and extractions. 

If you are experiencing pain and/or discomfort in your mouth, don’t wait! Visit your local dentist immediately. The longer you wait to pay a visit to the dentist, the worse the problem will get—which is why you need to let your dentist know of the problem as soon as possible. 

To learn more, check out our other informative and helpful blog posts.