Many people fear to go to the dentist for various reasons. Among others, they may fear the scalpel or surgical procedures. In reality, dentists routinely perform a number of treatments that do not use a scalpel or involve cutting. Non-surgical treatments may be just what you need to get your teeth looking great again.

Teeth Whitening

Over time, teeth become stained and more yellow in appearance. This makes them less attractive. A dentist can provide a couple of teeth whitening options that will help your teeth look whiter than you can get with store-bought kits or products. It is also faster. Having whiter teeth can do wonders for your smile and appearance, making you more confident, too.

Contouring and Reshaping

Teeth do not always look great. Sometimes they may be discolored or misshapen, but contouring and reshaping can remedy those problems. This non-surgical procedure can make your teeth look great, improving your smile. Since teeth that may be cracked, chipped, or overlapped can affect your bite, it can lead to headaches, pain in the jaw, or even lead to damaging more teeth. Rough edges can be removed, and your bite improved.

Dental Crowns

Damaged teeth, or teeth that are not strong enough for a filling, can get a dental crown as one more of the non-surgical treatments. Crowns are made of various materials, and they can restore the tooth to a more appealing look and strength. Crowns are made of metal, ceramic, resin, or a combination of materials. In many cases, they are highly durable and some are even natural looking to match your other teeth.

Extractions

Extracting teeth often does not need surgery. Most teeth, in fact, do not need surgery to remove them. If the tooth has appeared above the gum line, all that is often needed is to loosen it and pull it out with a pair of dental pliers.

Root Canals

Root canals are usually non-surgical. A root canal is needed when there is an infection inside the tooth, which may have spread to the gums. When this is the case, the dentist will drill a hole in the top of the tooth, remove the pulp and nerves, sterilize it, and then replace it with a rubber-like compound. The hole may be repaired with a filling, but often a new crown may be needed.

Periodontal Treatments

While several treatments may be needed for more serious cases of periodontitis, one treatment called scaling and root planing is non-surgical. In this procedure, the dentist will open the pockets in your gums and remove the bacteria and inflammation. Then the roots will be planed, or made smooth so that the bacteria cannot easily reattach to the tooth. This treatment may also involve the addition of medications to destroy the bacteria, and may also be performed in more serious cases.

Another of the important non-surgical treatments is teeth cleaning. This enables the dentist to find problems early. When discovered early, non-surgical options may be all that is needed to remedy the problem. We also provide many dental services, as well as cosmetic dentistry to give you a great smile. In order to get more information or to set up an appointment, just call our office at (914) 732-3377.