Many patients visit our office with a wide range of dental concerns. McLeansville, NC dentist Dr. Quinn Woodruff offers a full range of cosmetic, general, and restorative dentistry treatments for patients of all ages. This means that our office is fully equipped to handle many different types of dental concerns. Here are the three most common dental concerns we see in our office as well as some additional information on how we usually treat them:
Bleeding Gums
Patients often notice that their gums are bleeding after they’ve brushed or flossed their teeth. Small spots of blood in the sink can be alarming, and it is certainly a dental concern worth reporting to your trusted dentist. Bleeding gums, or gingivitis, is an early-stage symptom of gum disease. If left untreated, it could progress to causing gum recession, inflammation, and even tooth loss. To prevent the progression of gum disease, we recommend scheduling regular preventative care appointments with our office. During these appointments, our trained hygienists will thoroughly clean your gum line and get rid of any plaque or tartar potentially causing your bleeding gums. If your gingivitis has already progressed into gum disease, we also offer comprehensive periodontal disease treatment options to restore the health of your teeth and gums.
Cracked, Chipped, or Damaged Teeth
Treatment options for dental damages like cracks or chips will vary depending on the severity of the damage. For minor chips, tooth bonding can be used to restore the cosmetic appearance of your tooth. Tooth bonding utilizes a tooth-colored resin which is molded over the chip and essentially fills it in. It is hardened onto your tooth surface similar to a dental filling and is great for concealing smaller blemishes. However, if your tooth is more severely damaged, you may require a dental crown. A dental crown is a porcelain cap that replaces the entire exterior of your tooth. Your affected tooth will be shaved down to a foundational core used to support the dental crown. Dental crowns are great for saving a severely damaged tooth from needing to be extracted.
Missing Teeth
When you lose a tooth, it’s important that you seek our restorative options at your earliest convenience. This is because a missing tooth puts your other healthy teeth more at risk for dental damage. Your dental structures are designed to work together to perform daily tasks like chewing or speaking. If you are missing a tooth, this puts a lot more pressure on your other dental structures which can eventually result in more severe issues. To replace missing teeth, our office often suggests dental bridges or dental implants. Both of these restorative options will effectively restore your smile, each in different ways. Dr. Quinn Woodruff is happy to sit down and discuss the different benefits that these two restorative options offer so that you can make an informed decision on potential treatment. If you are currently missing teeth or experiencing any other type of dental concern, feel free to schedule an appointment with Dr. Woodruff online.