Dental answers, made clearer
Get concise explanations of common dental treatments, what each procedure is intended to do and what patients can generally expect.
A root canal treatment removes infected or inflamed tissue from inside a tooth's nerve chamber, then cleans and seals the space to stop the infection from spreading. It's typically needed when decay or a crack has reached the tooth's inner pulp, and it's aimed at saving the natural tooth rather than extracting it.
Read the answerA dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, strength, and appearance. Crowns are commonly used after a root canal, on a heavily decayed tooth, or to protect a tooth that has cracked.
Read the answerDental veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front surface of a tooth to improve its color, shape, or alignment. They're primarily a cosmetic treatment, most often used for discoloration, chips, or minor gaps that don't require full orthodontic correction.
Read the answerFluoride treatment strengthens tooth enamel and helps it resist acid attacks from plaque bacteria, which can slow down or even reverse the very earliest stages of decay. It's commonly applied during routine checkups, particularly for children and anyone at higher risk of cavities.
Read the answerScaling and polishing is a routine professional cleaning that removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surface and along the gumline, followed by polishing to smooth the enamel. It's a preventive treatment, generally recommended every six months, rather than a fix for existing decay or gum disease.
Read the answerDentures are removable replacements for missing teeth, available as full sets for those missing all their teeth or partial dentures for those missing only some. They're commonly recommended for patients who have lost teeth to decay, gum disease, or injury and want a non-surgical option compared to implants.
Read the answerA filling repairs a small area of decay by filling in the cavity, while a crown covers the entire visible tooth when the damage is too extensive for a filling to support. The choice generally comes down to how much healthy tooth structure remains.
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