General Dentistry
General Dentistry
This suite of our McDowell Dentistry of Goodyear oral care services is where we focus exclusively on the health of your teeth and gums. From dental bonding to crowns and bridges, inlay or onlay procedures to fillings, our Arizona office is dedicated to providing professional, precise dental care to ensure your mouth continues to be healthy.
We’re your destination for comprehensive and cutting-edge dental care that addresses a wide range of dental issues. General dentistry as a whole covers a spectrum of treatments aimed at enhancing both the aesthetics and functionality of your smile. Our McDowell Dentistry of Goodyear team is committed to providing you with personalized care that addresses issues specific to your mouth.
Let us help you maintain and improve your oral health! Explore our comprehensive treatments that promote overall oral wellness and contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Oral Exams & Cleanings
Regular oral care exams and cleanings are essential components of maintaining optimal oral health. These routine visits are key to preventing dental issues such as cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. You can expect our team to thoroughly assess your teeth, gums, and overall oral cavity for any signs of potential problems, followed by a professional cleaning to help remove plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be adequately addressed through regular brushing and flossing.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding teeth, is a convenient one-appointment procedure designed to restore damaged teeth. This versatile technique not only effectively eliminates tooth decay but also enhances the overall appearance of your teeth by improving their color and shape. By concealing stains, cracks, and filling gaps, dental bonding offers a cost-effective solution to restore chipped or broken teeth.
This is a practical and efficient method to rejuvenate your smile while addressing various cosmetic and structural concerns. Learn more about our cosmetic dentistry procedure now!
Crowns And Bridges
Crowns and bridges replace missing teeth and can now, thanks to a rise in better oral care technology, be created to perfectly match your surrounding teeth, making them indistinguishable from your own teeth. These are transformative dental appliances that play a vital role in restoring oral functionality to patients who have damaged teeth.
While crowns are individual caps that cover individual damaged or decayed teeth, bridges are prosthetic devices that fill in gaps created by missing teeth. Crafted with precision, both crowns and bridges can now be custom-made to seamlessly blend in with your natural teeth, ensuring a harmonious and brighter smile. By mimicking the color, shape, and size of your surrounding teeth, crowns and bridges are key to facilitating proper chewing, speaking, and overall oral health.
Inlay Or Onlay Procedures
Inlay and Onlay are used to repair damage involving over one-half of the biting surface of a tooth. They can be made of porcelain, or white resin materials and are used when the damage to the tooth is too large to be repaired by a filling but not large enough to be repaired by a crown.
While fillings may not suffice for extensive damage and crowns may seem excessive for less severe cases, inlays and onlays serve as the perfect middle ground. An inlay fits within the cusps of the tooth, while an onlay extends over one or more cusps. By precisely tailoring the restoration to the size of the damage, both general dentistry options offer a reliable solution that restores the tooth's integrity and functionality with a natural appearance.
Fillings
Existing filling decay is not the only reason you may need a filling. Other reasons include:
Cracked or broken teeth
Teeth that are worn from unusual use, such as:
Nail-biting
Tooth grinding (bruxism)
Using your teeth to open things
Once all the decay is removed, our same-day dentist team will shape the space to prepare it for the filling. We may put in a base or a liner to protect the tooth's pulp (where the nerves are). Different types of fillings require different shaping procedures to make sure they will stay in place. The base or liner can be made of composite resin, glass ionomer, zinc oxide and eugenol, or another material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maintaining good oral health is essential for overall well-being, but many people have questions about the best ways to care for their teeth and gums. Below, we’ve compiled answers to some frequently asked questions about general dental health, offering guidance on prevention, oral hygiene, and the impact of lifestyle choices on your dental well-being.
How often should I visit the dentist for checkups?
It's recommended to visit the dentist every six months for routine checkups to maintain oral health and catch any potential issues early.
What are the signs of gum disease?
Common signs include swollen or bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, receding gums, and loose teeth. Early detection is key to effective treatment.
How can diet affect my dental health?
A diet high in sugar and acidic foods can lead to cavities and enamel erosion. A balanced diet with plenty of water helps protect your teeth and gums.
Can stress impact my oral health?
Yes, stress can lead to teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and even gum disease due to neglect of proper oral hygiene during stressful periods.
What causes tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity can be caused by enamel erosion, receding gums, tooth decay, or cracked teeth, exposing the sensitive dentin underneath.
How does smoking affect my dental health?
Smoking increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. It also stains teeth and can lead to bad breath.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
In the case of a dental emergency, such as a knocked-out tooth or severe pain, it's important to contact your dentist immediately for advice or treatment.
Is bad breath always caused by poor oral hygiene?
While poor oral hygiene is a common cause, other factors like dry mouth, certain foods, and medical conditions can also contribute to bad breath.
Why is flossing important?
Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between teeth, areas that brushing alone can't reach, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.
How can I prevent cavities?
Preventing cavities involves maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and limiting sugary foods and drinks. Regular dental checkups are also essential.
Arizona’s Top Choice for General Dentistry
With over 15 years of proven experience, you can trust McDowell Dentistry of Goodyear to deliver general dentistry treatments tailored to your unique dental requirements, ensuring your journey to optimal oral health and a radiant smile is seamless and satisfying. Choose McDowell Dentistry of Goodyear for excellence in oral care – because your smile deserves nothing less.