Dental Procedures

What is dental surgery or general dentistry?

It is one of the most common areas of dentistry, as it deals with the most common oral disease in the world: dental caries. In addition, it is the area that also treats cases related to dental trauma.

These procedures focus on dental restoration, which is a necessary treatment when there are cavities, fractures, or abnormalities in shape and size, defects in enamel development, or even occlusal adjustments, thereby restoring both aesthetics and function. Below is a description of some of the most common conditions.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a bacterial disease, but it can be caused by various factors. It is initially asymptomatic, making early detection difficult unless regular dental checkups are attended, and it progresses rapidly over time, causing irreversible loss of tooth structure. As it advances, it manifests symptoms of sensitivity and often acute pain, which is frequently irreversible and may require root canal treatment or, in the worst-case scenario, tooth loss. The disease develops because bacteria produce acids strong enough to demineralize tooth enamel, causing small holes in the tooth surface that grow until the tooth is completely destroyed. It is also important to note that these acid-related processes result from dietary habits high in sugars and carbohydrates, as well as dry mouth—conditions that are not accompanied by good oral hygiene practices and are compounded by insufficient fluoride intake.

Dental Trauma

Dental trauma is defined as the loss of tooth structure due to micro- or macrotrauma. Microtrauma is associated with excessive occlusal forces, a condition that is becoming increasingly common due to high levels of teeth clenching among patients, as well as dental malocclusions that, if not corrected with orthodontic treatment, lead to an uneven distribution of occlusal forces. Macrotrauma is caused by external forces, such as accidents, with the most common being falls from bicycles, skateboards, falls on the street, and many sports-related accidents.

Types of Dental Procedures

The goal of dental restoration treatments is to restore the tooth's appearance and chewing function through direct and indirect procedures.

Direct restorations made with composite resin can match the color of the tooth, offering high mechanical and aesthetic performance; this procedure is performed exclusively in the dentist’s office, and the problem with the tooth is usually resolved in a single visit.

In more extreme cases, the teeth may be severely damaged, and in these situations, an indirect restoration is recommended, which requires laboratory work; therefore, the procedure requires at least two visits. Indirect restorations reinforce the entire tooth, preventing fractures in walls weakened by tooth decay; these are known as inlays, which are mostly made of high-strength ceramic materials, depending on the size of the tooth and the affected surface.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dental Restoration

Learn about the steps that transform unhealthy teeth into healthier, more aesthetically pleasing ones.

Tooth Preparation

Local anesthesia is administered to make the procedure more comfortable. The tooth is prepared by isolating it and removing any decayed tissue, if present, to create an ideal, decontaminated cavity shape for the next steps. In modern dentistry, thanks to new materials, it is no longer necessary to remove tooth structure beyond the affected area to resolve clinical issues.

Restoration of the Dental Structure

The tooth surface is prepared, and the adhesive technique is used to reconstruct the lost structure with permanent composite resins. This procedure restores the tooth’s functional and aesthetic anatomy. The shade is selected based on the color of the tooth being treated, and we use the finest materials from the world’s leading manufacturers, which offer cutting-edge technology in terms of aesthetics, strength, and durability.

Final Step

Polishing and adjusting the occlusion or bite.

For indirect restorations, the first visit involves preparing the tooth and taking impressions using an intraoral scanner so that the laboratory can design the restoration; the restoration is then bonded in place using techniques similar to those used for direct restorations.

In some cases, depending on how close the procedure is to the tooth's pulp, it may be necessary to perform a pulp protection and/or repair procedure, or, if the condition is very advanced, endodontic treatment.

Post-Treatment Care

Do not chew food while the anesthesia is still taking effect;
Do not drink hot beverages while the effects of the anesthesia last;
Do not eat for one hour after the restoration is completed to ensure that the materials have fully set or polymerized.

Symptoms After Treatment

In the days following treatment, you may experience the following symptoms:

Some sensitivity to the cold during the first few days
Sensitive or damaged gums
It takes between 1 and 2 weeks for the color of the restorations to stabilize, at which point the tooth structure is fully rehydrated.

If you experience sensitivity and/or pain when exposed to heat, or a throbbing pain that feels like a “heartbeat”; or spontaneous pain that persists and worsens when lying down, it is important to see a dentist immediately. Finally, remember that no material is exactly like a natural tooth, which is why some of these materials—such as resins—need to be replaced after 6 years due to wear and discoloration.