When most people think of going to the dentist, they envision a teeth cleaning and their dental checkup. If the patient has maintained good dental hygiene—brushing, flossing, and eating healthy foods—then there is a chance that a basic cleaning and checkup are all that the patient will require. However, things don’t always work out as planned, and sometimes cavities, fractures, and infection pop up when you least expect. Smile imperfections, like crooked or stained teeth, can also be addressed following a checkup.
As your Ankeny family dentist, Dr. Peddicord wants you to understand three primary categories of dental procedures that are most commonly administered in our office. These cover nearly all aspects of family dentistry, so your loved ones can enjoy complete, comprehensive oral health care under one roof with Peddicord Family Dentistry.
Restorative Dentistry
The most common trigger for a restorative dental visit is a toothache. Dental restorations may be as basic as a composite resin dental filling or as complex as a full mouth restoration. If you have a tooth that has suffered damage, you will need a restorative procedure, because teeth don’t heal or repair themselves naturally. Crowns, inlays, onlays, and bonding fall under restorative dentistry, as well. In addition, replacement of missing teeth can be considered restorative dentistry, though it may be sub-categorized under prosthetic dentistry. Replacement teeth can come in the form of bridges, partials, dentures, or dental implants.
Cosmetic Dentistry
If you have crooked, chipped, stained, widely spaced, oddly shaped, or broken teeth, you’re a likely candidate for a cosmetic procedure. The most popular cosmetic dental procedures include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, cosmetic bonding, and tooth recontouring. Orthodontics can fall under the cosmetic umbrella, if the primary issue is esthetics, rather than function. You may have heard the term “smile makeover.” This phrase refers to any combination of restorative and/or cosmetic dental procedures that improve the appearance of a person’s smile. As a cosmetic dentist in Ankeny, Dr. Peddicord offers a full range of esthetic procedures. Ask about smile enhancement at your next checkup!
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is concerned with the prevention of disease, decay, and injury. Obviously, prevention starts at home with daily brushing and flossing. Prevention of gum disease, tooth decay, and subsequent tooth loss can largely be avoided if proper oral hygiene is practiced daily. A key part of preventive dentistry is to maintain your regularly scheduled dental appointments so that your oral health can be properly assessed. The ADA and Dr. Peddicord recommend six-month checkups and dental cleanings, and it is imperative that you follow through with dental treatment plans so that you can maintain good oral health. In addition, athletic mouthguards, bruxism appliances, dental sealants, and fluoride supplements are considered preventive dentistry.
Schedule An Appointment Today
At Peddicord Family Dentistry, we will gladly answer your questions, while taking care of all of your dental needs. As a family dental practice, we offer a full range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services for children and adults. Contact Dr. Erika Peddicord today at 515-963-3339 to schedule an appointment at our Ankeny dentist office. We welcome patients from Ankeny, Cambridge, Sheldall, Maxwell, Collins, and surrounding communities.