Maintain Outstanding Oral Health
General Dentistry Summerville
Keeping up with your own daily routine of flossing and brushing can do outstanding things for the health and appearance of your smile. But just like a car, a periodic checkup by a professional can make an immeasurable difference in the life of your smile, not only through routine maintenance, but also the early detection of potential complications. If you need to establish a relationship with a local dentist who can provide regular cleanings and checkups, Dr. John T. Hess provides general dentistry treatment at his office serving Summerville, South Carolina. Contact us today to find out how we can help you enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for many years to come.
Our General Dentistry Services
It is widely recommended that everyone visit their dentist for a checkup at least once per year. To help you maintain excellent dental hygiene, Dr. Hess offers routine procedures including teeth cleanings to remove plaque and other debris; root planing, a process of cleaning your teeth below the gum line to prevent tooth decay and gum disease; and oral cancer screenings employing an ultraviolet light to detect any malignant developments in their earliest possible stages.
Extractions and Root Canal Therapy
The various cosmetic and restorative procedures we offer are often preceded by other general dentistry services. If one of your teeth has become severely damaged because of extensive decay or injury, we perform tooth extractions. During initial consultations with Dr. Hess, you can discuss follow-up treatment options such as a dental bridge (a custom-made porcelain replacement tooth) or dental implant (a surgically placed titanium post that provides outstanding support for bridges, crowns, and dentures). These options can act as an artificial tooth in place of your missing natural tooth.
If your tooth has become severely decayed inside, but has an adequate amount of healthy outer structure, it can be salvaged through a root canal procedure. This treatment begins with a small opening being created in the tooth's outer structure, giving the dentist access to the tooth's inner pulp, which consists largely of nerves. Dr. Hess can then completely remove the pulp tissue from beneath the tooth, including the hard-to-reach inner root areas, using an endoscope, or small surgical camera. Finally, the tooth is sealed with dental bonding, or the application of a tooth-colored material that quickly hardens, closing the access point and retaining a natural appearance.
If enough of the tooth's structure remains, it may be able to stand alone, or you can choose to use it as an anchor for a dental crown (a custom-made, tooth-shaped cover that restores form and function to your bite). To learn more about general dentistry treatments offered at our practice serving Summerville, Goose Creek and North Charleston, South Carolina, please contact us today.
Learn More about Our General Dentistry Services
Your oral health is vitally important to every aspect of your well-being. The surest way to maintain the best possible oral health is to make annual visits to a dentist, and to schedule appointments with your dentist when the earliest signs of complications emerge. Dr. Hess performs a wide range of cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures, but also offers all necessary general dentistry treatments to Summerville and surrounding communities. If you would like to establish a schedule of annual checkups with an experienced, compassionate dentist, or if you have pending oral health complications you need addressed, please contact our office today.
