In the heart of Canton, Mississippi, our excellent dentists and their teams can receive various forms of dental care. You can get the necessary care for your smile from general and family dentistry to restorative and cosmetic treatments at Dental Solutions of Mississippi! Going to the dentist is a task we all have to face at some point. Whether it’s a routine check-up or something more serious, knowing the ins and outs of the different forms of dental procedures you can receive for your teeth and gums is essential. Our excellent dentists, Dr. Ruth Roach Morgan and Dr. Jessica Morgan Vaughn, are there every step of the way to ensure the best care for each patient who comes into our office!

That’s why we’re here to break down everything you need to know about these procedures, from what they are to how they work and what you should expect.

General and Family Dentistry

General and family dentistry encompasses a broad range of dental treatments to enhance the oral health of individuals of all ages. This specialty of dentistry focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various dental conditions and disorders. Services can include routine check-ups, dental cleanings, fillings, sealants, other preventive procedures, and more complex procedures such as root canals, extractions, and implants. Family dentists serve as primary care dentists, addressing oral health at every stage of life, making it convenient for families to receive comprehensive dental care in one location.

Procedures that you can expect from general and family dentistry include:

1. Check-ups: Regular exams involve thoroughly examining your teeth, gums, and mouth to check for any signs of dental problems. During your check-up, your dentist will also clean your teeth to remove any build-up of plaque or tartar, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
2. Teeth Cleanings: Teeth cleaning is a routine dental procedure to promote oral hygiene and prevent oral diseases. This professional service, delivered by a certified dental hygienist or dentist, involves the removal of dental plaque and tartar build-up that may lead to cavities, gingivitis, and gum diseases. Teeth cleaning sessions typically feature thoroughly cleaning the teeth, gum line, and hard-to-reach areas in the mouth.
3. Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are a preventative dental treatment where a plastic material is placed on the chewing surfaces of permanent back teeth — the molars and premolars — to help protect them from bacteria and acids contributing to tooth decay. Thin and transparent, sealants quickly bond into the depressions and grooves of the teeth, forming a protective shield over the enamel. 
4. Tooth Extractions: Tooth extractions are a standard general and family dentistry procedure. This procedure involves removing a tooth from the socket using special tools and techniques. 
5. Mouthguards: Mouthguards, also known as mouth protectors, are coverings worn over teeth and are often used to protect teeth from injury during contact sports, such as football, basketball, or boxing. They typically cover the upper teeth and are designed to shield against broken teeth, cut lips, and other damage to your mouth. 

Cosmetic Dentistry

Your teeth play a crucial role in your overall appearance and confidence. Cosmetic dentistry refers to professional oral care that focuses on improving the appearance of the mouth, teeth, and smile. While it is often considered elective rather than essential, some treatment methods provide restorative benefits. The most common procedures are relatively simple, but others require specialized care. These procedures include teeth whitening, composite bonding, dental veneers, implants, and botox.

Here are some of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry:

1. Teeth Whitening: Whitening your smile is a simple and effective way to remove stains and discoloration from your teeth. You can get an in-office treatment or use at-home kits.
2. Dental Veneers: Veneers are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They are primarily used for cosmetic purposes to enhance the appearance of teeth and create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
3. Dental Bonding: Dental bonding is a procedure where a tooth-colored resin material is applied to the teeth and hardened with a special light, ultimately bonding the material to the tooth to enhance a person’s smile. It’s commonly used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth, and it’s one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures.
4. Botox: while traditionally known for its cosmetic applications in reducing facial wrinkles, it also has therapeutic uses in dentistry. It can alleviate pain and discomfort from conditions such as Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ) by relaxing the muscles around the jaw. It also has applications in orthodontics, as it can help to retrain muscles during orthodontic therapy.
5. Fillings  also known as dental fillings, restore teeth damaged by decay back to their normal function and shape. After removing the decayed tooth material and cleaning the affected area, the cleaned-out cavity is filled with restorative material  This helps to prevent further decay by closing off spaces where bacteria can enter.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry, on the other hand, focuses on repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth. Restorative dentistry is a specific subset of dentistry that focuses on restoring the health and function of the patient’s natural teeth. Unlike cosmetic dentistry, which primarily aims to enhance aesthetic appeal, restorative dentistry prioritizes treating dental health issues such as decay, physical damage, or disease. Standard restorative procedures include fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants, which repair or replace damaged or missing teeth. Restorative dentistry improves oral health and bolsters overall well-being by restoring the condition of these natural teeth, as a healthy mouth is a key component of a healthy body.

Here are some procedures in restorative dentistry:

1. CEREC Dental Crowns: CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) same-day crowns revolutionize the dental crown procedure by eliminating the need for multiple appointments and temporary crowns. With advanced CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) technology, a custom-made, high-quality ceramic crown can be designed, fabricated, and placed in a single visit. This technology not only saves time but also ensures a precise fit and a long-lasting restoration.
2. Bridges: Bridges are a dental restoration method that replaces one or more missing teeth by joining an artificial tooth to adjacent natural teeth or implants. They restore the teeth’ function and maintain the face’s shape while preventing the remaining teeth from shifting. Dental bridges are a reliable, time-tested solution for missing teeth, available in various materials such as porcelain, gold, or a combination.
3. Dental Implants: Dental implants are a permanent, durable solution for missing teeth, offering a substitute that looks and feels like natural teeth. They consist of a titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root, providing a robust foundation for a custom-made crown. Not only do they restore the appearance of your smile, but they also preserve your oral health by preventing bone loss in the jaw.

Dental Treatments in Canton, MS

From general to cosmetic dentistry procedures, they can vastly improve the appearance and functionality of your teeth. Which one is right for you depends on your unique needs and preferences, and you can make a proper decision by scheduling a consultation with our dentists. Dental Solutions of Mississippi offers a wide range of cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures to give you the perfect smile you deserve. If you need regular dental check-ups, cleanings, or preventative services, you can get other procedures to help care for your smile. 

Maintaining, restoring, and enhancing your smile has always been challenging with our conveniently located office in the Canton area. Take care of your health today! Don’t wait until you have a dental emergency to book your next dental appointment – schedule a check-up with us today!