General dental care helps patients maintain healthy smiles. Preventative dentistry is a part of general dental care and stops further tooth and gum damage. Dr. Michael Sesi is a general dentist in Clarkston, MI, who helps his patients discover the right treatments for their oral health problems.
With Dr. Jordan Rabban, Dr. Sesi delivers dental treatments that maintain oral health and prevent future oral health issues. From urgent dental care to dental extractions, these solutions keep patients happy and healthy. In addition, we also provide comprehensive dental services to new and existing patients in Clarkston, Michigan.
General Dentistry in Clarkston, MI
General dentistry focuses on the prevention and treatment of common dental problems. The main part of our general dentistry services focuses on prevention. This includes visiting Dr. Sesi or Dr. Rabban twice a year for a routine dental appointment. As your general dentists, they aim to help you maintain and improve your overall oral health. In some cases, they may need to refer you to a specialist for complex problems.
General dentistry is a broad field of dental care that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating oral health issues in patients of all ages. General dentists are primary dental care providers who offer services to maintain optimal oral health. The key aspects of general dentistry include:
The Importance of Routine Dental Appointments
Routine dental appointments are vital to preventing many dental diseases and problems. They also allow your dentist to find issues early and help you maintain good oral health. At each visit, there are many things we need to accomplish.
A routine dental appointment involves these key components:
- We need to update your medical history including any changes to your medications or health conditions since your last visit.
- You will discuss any concerns or changes in your oral health with your dentist.
- The dentist will examine your mouth, gums, tongue, and throat for signs of issues. They are screening for problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
- Depending on your oral health history and needs, we may take X-rays. Dental X-rays provide a better look at everything your dentist cannot see with the naked eye during the visual exam.
- One of our highly trained dental hygienists will perform a professional dental cleaning. They will remove the plaque and tartar buildup and polish your teeth.
- A vital aspect of your appointment is for education and advice. As you age or as your child matures, their oral health needs will change. Your dentist and hygienist will teach you proper oral hygiene habits that are age-appropriate.
- If you require additional treatment, your dentist will develop a treatment plan. They will discuss all your options and answer all your questions.
General Dentistry Services
Our list of general dental services prevent dental problems and keep the teeth and gums intact:
Custom Mouthguard
We provide custom mouthguards for patients who play contact sports. Wearing a custom sports mouthguard protects the smile and prevents breaks, chips, and cracks in the enamel.
Patients who wear a mouthguard over their braces protect their oral appliances. Mouthguards are typically required for many contact sports like hockey, football, and soccer. To learn more about the benefits of wearing a custom mouthguard from a dentist versus buying one from a store, see Custom Mouthguard.
Emergency Dentistry
Call our office if you require urgent dental care. We offer emergency dental services for our patients. Our team can treat patients with lost permanent teeth, toothaches, broken restorations, and more.
Contact us as soon as you notice changes in your smile. Patients should receive prompt treatment before their dental problems worsen. Waiting for care can make dental issues more complex over time. For information about what you should do in a dental emergency, see Emergency Dentistry.
Family Dentistry
As a family dental office, we offer dental treatments for patients of every age. For younger patients, we offer sealants and fluoride treatments. Patients may require restorative and cosmetic care for their smiles when they age. We know that it can often be challenging to fit dental visits into busy schedules. Our office staff works with patients to schedule dental care that works for them. For more information on our preventative dental treatments, please see Family Dentistry.
Tooth Extraction
We provide extraction services for patients with overcrowded, infected, or impacted teeth. Many patients will need their wisdom teeth removed to prevent crooked or damaged teeth. Removing impacted wisdom teeth makes room for other natural teeth.
Our tooth extractions can also address severely crooked and overcrowded teeth as well as tooth infections. We offer dental implants and implant-supported bridges or dentures for our patients after we remove infected teeth. To learn more about the tooth extraction process, see Tooth Extraction.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Many patients with sleep apnea experience snoring, insomnia, and headaches. Sleep apnea obstructs the airway, leading to patients waking up and trying to breathe. We can provide sleep apnea screenings to examine the teeth and airway to determine if patients have sleep apnea and will benefit from treatment.
Oral appliances offer an alternative to CPAP machines for patients with mild sleep apnea symptoms. Similar to nightguards, oral appliances cover the teeth and move the lower jaw forward, preventing airway blockage. To learn more about sleep apnea symptoms, see Sleep Apnea.
General Dentistry FAQs
Because general dentistry covers a whole lot of ground for patients of all ages, we get many questions. Topics span from preventive dental care and hygiene practices to addressing specific dental concerns. Here, we have listed some common questions people ask us about general dentistry. Call our dental practice if you have additional questions.
What is a root canal?
Root canals address tooth decay when it enters the inside of the tooth. When dental infections reach the dental pulp, it affects the tooth’s integrity. The dental pulp is the blood vessels, cells, and nerves that keep the tooth alive. Removing the pulp prevents the spread of decay and saves the tooth. We provide root canal treatment and dental fillings to seal cleaned teeth.
Do dental extractions hurt?
We always use anesthesia and nitrous oxide for complex tooth extractions. However, simple extractions may only require an anesthetic, and these procedures may take only minutes. Simple extractions remove teeth above the gum line, while we can remove teeth at or below the gum line with complex extractions.
With dental sedation and local anesthetic, patients will not feel any pain during their tooth extraction. We will also provide pain medication after extraction treatment for patients who undergo a complex tooth extraction.
Can I use a mouthguard if I clench and grind my teeth?
We offer nightguards for patients with bruxism. Patients cannot use sports mouthguards or other types of oral appliances to treat teeth clenching and grinding. Custom-made nightguards are specifically made to stop patients from grinding their teeth.
Nightguards protect the tooth enamel and relieve pressure on the jaw joints and muscles. We also create nightguards out of hard acrylic meant to cover the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Why do I have to have my teeth cleaned every six months?
Professional dental cleanings are vital to maintaining oral health. Our highly skilled dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth in places a toothbrush cannot reach. This prevents cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. A regular checkup also allows for the early detection of dental problems.
How do I choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste?
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles that is a size that comfortably fits in your mouth. Opt for fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay. If you have questions about a specific kind, call our office for further help.
Is it normal for my gums to bleed when I brush and floss?
It is never normal for gums to bleed while brushing or flossing. This may indicate that you have gum disease or are not caring for your teeth properly. If you consistently bleed when brushing or flossing, please call our dental office.
What is the difference between a general dentist and a specialist?
A general dentist provides primary dental care, offering a broad range of services for patients of all ages. Specialists have additional training in orthodontics, oral surgery, or periodontics, focusing on more complex treatments. General dentists often refer patients to specialists for specialized dental care if they need it.
What can I do to prevent tooth decay and gum disease?
To prevent cavities and gum disease, maintain a strict oral hygiene routine. You must brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and use an antiseptic mouthwash. Visit our Clarkston, MI dentist office regularly for check-ups and cleanings. Limit sugary foods and drinks, and eat a well-balanced diet for overall oral health.
Schedule your Dentist Appointment Today with a Dentist in Clarkston, MI
Do you need a new general dentist? Contact Clarkston Dental Care for high-quality dental treatment today at 248-985-2906. You can also request your next dental appointment with our team on our website. Our office welcomes new dental patients from Clarkston, Waterford, and the surrounding areas.