General Treatments

Elkin Dental strives to provide you and your family with all the dental care you need to reach a healthier, more functional smile. This is why our dentist provides general and family dentistry in Elkin, NC. General and family dentistry is a branch of dental care whose purpose is to help you and your family achieve ideal optimal oral health and then maintain that health for a lifetime. Depending on your individual dental needs, our dentist may recommend one or more of our general and family dental treatments. Our dental team will ensure that you understand all of your dental options so that you can make educated decisions about your dental care and that of your family.

Cosmetic Treatments

Treatments

Root Canal Therapy

Dental pulp is the soft area in the center of a tooth where the veins, nerves, and connective tissues are located. If a tooth’s dental pulp becomes infected, Dr. Derek C. Barnes may recommend a root canal in Charlotte, North Carolina. Root canal therapy is the process by which our dentist removes the infected dental pulp, bacteria, and debris from a tooth. After the tooth is thoroughly cleaned out, our dentist will seal the tooth and place a dental filling. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may need root canal therapy:

• Severe toothache
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
• Darkening of a tooth
• Swelling and pain in the gums
• A pimple on the gums that will not go away

If infected dental pulp is not removed, it will break down and bacteria will spread. This can cause an infection, or a pus-filled pocket called an abscess may form on the end of the tooth roots. Diseased dental pulp can also cause swelling that can spread to the face, neck, or head. Infected dental pulp can cause bone loss around the tooth root. Drainage can occur from the root of the tooth if infected dental pulp is not treated.

Teeth Cleaning

Elkin Dental recommends that you and your family schedule a teeth cleaning in Elkin, North Carolina, at least every six months. This appointment includes a professional teeth cleaning, fluoride, a dental exam, and dental X-rays.

At the beginning of your appointment, our hygienist will remove all of the plaque and tartar from your teeth using a small, metal tool. Then our hygienist will floss your teeth and polish them. Fluoride is then applied to your teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect your teeth from decay by strengthening your tooth enamel. Our dentist will then examine all of your teeth and gums for signs of decay, gingivitis, and other oral problems. Sometimes, our dentist will decide to take dental X-rays to get a more thorough, closer look at your smile.

We urge you to contact our dental office immediately if you experience any dental pain or any kind of dental emergency. The following problematic symptoms need to be examined by our dentist as soon as possible:

• Toothache
• Tooth sensitivity
• Red, swollen, or sore gums
• Gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
• A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
• The loss of a permanent tooth
• A loose permanent tooth

To learn more and to schedule your next visit, please contact our dental office today.

Dental Sealants

Even with proper brushing and flossing, it can be difficult to remove the plaque from all of the crevices of the back teeth. To protect the back teeth from decay, Dr. Derek C. Barnes may recommend dental sealants in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dental sealant is a plastic coating that our dentist paints on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars to protect them from decay. Dental sealants are typically placed on the teeth of children, but adults with no decay or dental fillings in their molars can also benefit from dental sealants.

To place dental sealants, our dentist will first thoroughly clean the molars or premolars. Each tooth is dried and an absorbent material is placed around them to keep them dry. The chewing surfaces of the teeth are roughened using an acid solution to ensure a strong bonding process. The teeth are rinsed and dried again. Our dentist then paints the dental sealant onto the chewing surface of each tooth. A curing light may be used to help harden the sealant. Your dental sealants will last for up to ten years. Our dentist will check them at your regular dental checkup appointments and replace them if necessary.

Feel free to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next visit.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped covering that encases the entire visible portion of a tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Dr. Derek C. Barnes may recommend a dental crown in Charlotte, North Carolina, to:

• Protect a weak tooth from breaking
• Hold together a cracked tooth
• Restore a broken or badly worn down tooth
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling
• Anchor a dental bridge
• Cover misshapen or badly stained teeth
• Cover a dental implant
• Make a cosmetic modification

Dental crowns can be made from metals, porcelain fused to metal, resin, ceramic, or porcelain. Metal crowns can be made of gold, palladium, nickel, or chromium. With metal crowns, less tooth structure needs to be removed than with other crown types. Metal crowns usually last the longest. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns are color matched to your natural teeth. These crowns are ideal for front or back teeth. All resin crowns cost less than other crown types. Unfortunately, they are not as strong and are more prone to fractures. Of all the dental crown types, ceramic or porcelain dental crowns provide the best color match to your natural teeth.

To learn more and to schedule an appointment with our dentist, contact our dental office today.

Dental Hygiene

We cannot stress enough the importance of pairing dental hygiene with dental care in our office. Elkin Dental and our dental team are pleased to provide education about dental hygiene in Elkin, North Carolina.

Patients should brush their teeth twice a day, morning and night. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a head that is small enough to reach all areas of your mouth. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Use a fluoride toothpaste, as fluoride provides extra protection against tooth decay. With your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle where your teeth meet the gums, brush back and forth using small, circular movements. Brush all the surfaces of your teeth, paying special attention to your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue from back to front to remove plaque and prevent bad breath.

Floss at least once a day with whatever type and flavor of floss you like best. Work your floss between your teeth gently. Curve your floss around each tooth and gently slide it under the gum line. Firmly move the floss up and down a few times to remove the plaque.

We welcome you to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule your next appointment with our denist.

Elkin Dental

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Address:

320 Parkwood Medical Park
Elkin, NC 28621

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