You rely on your dentist for more than emergency fixes. Each visit protects your comfort, your health, and your confidence. A general dentist sees many needs every day, yet most care centers on a few basic treatments. These are the services that keep teeth strong, stop pain early, and stop small problems from turning into deep damage. They also help you feel less fear about visiting the office. When you know what to expect, you can ask clear questions and plan next steps. Whether you see a dentist in Phoenix or in a small town, the same core treatments guide your care. This blog walks through four common procedures your general dentist performs every day. You will see what each one does, why it matters, and what you might feel in the chair. That knowledge gives you more control over your mouth and your health.
1. Routine exams and professional cleanings
Regular checkups form the base of your care. Most people need a visit every six months. Some need more visits if they have gum disease or high risk for cavities.
During a routine exam, your dentist and hygienist usually:
- Review your health history and daily habits
- Check your teeth, gums, and tongue
- Look for early signs of decay or cracks
- Check old fillings and crowns
- Screen for oral cancer by looking and feeling for lumps or color changes
A professional cleaning removes plaque and hardened tartar that brushing and flossing miss. Research shows that this helps lower your risk of cavities and gum disease.
During a cleaning, you may feel scraping on the teeth and a gritty polish. You might feel mild soreness if your gums are tender. This usually fades within a day.
2. Fillings for cavities
Even with careful brushing and flossing, many people still get cavities. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and adults. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports high rates of untreated decay in many age groups.
Your dentist uses fillings to stop decay and save tooth structure. The steps are simple.
- Your dentist numbs the tooth and nearby gum
- Decayed tooth material is removed with a drill or laser
- The space is cleaned to remove bacteria
- A filling material is placed and shaped
- The bite is checked and adjusted
Common filling materials include tooth colored resin and metal alloy. Tooth colored resin blends with your teeth. Metal alloy can last a long time in back teeth that take strong chewing forces.
You may feel pressure and vibration during the work. You should not feel sharp pain. Numbness can last a few hours. You can eat once feeling returns and you can chew without biting your cheek or tongue.
3. Root canal treatment
A root canal sounds frightening to many people. In truth, it is a pain relief procedure. You may need a root canal when decay, deep cracks, or injury reach the inner nerve of the tooth. Infection in that space can cause strong pain, swelling, and bone loss.
During a root canal your dentist or specialist:
- Numbs the tooth and isolates it from saliva
- Opens the top of the tooth to reach the inner canals
- Removes the infected or dead nerve tissue
- Cleans and shapes the canals with small tools
- Fills the canals with a rubber like material
- Seals the tooth and often places a crown later
Your tooth may feel sore for a few days. Pain usually improves with over the counter medicine. This treatment lets you keep your natural tooth instead of losing it. That protects your bite, your speech, and your face shape.
4. Crowns to protect weak teeth
A crown is a cover that fits over a tooth. Your dentist may suggest a crown when a tooth is cracked, worn down, or has a large filling. A crown can also protect a tooth after a root canal.
Crowns can be made from porcelain, metal, or a mix of both. Your dentist will help you choose based on strength, cost, and where the tooth sits in your mouth.
Most crowns follow this process.
- The tooth is shaped so a crown can fit over it
- An impression or digital scan is taken
- A lab makes the crown to match your bite and color
- A temporary crown protects the tooth while you wait
- The permanent crown is cemented at a second visit
You may feel mild soreness near the tooth and gum. This often fades within a few days.
How these four treatments compare
| Treatment | Main purpose | How often | Common feeling during or after
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Routine exam and cleaning | Prevent problems and catch issues early | Every 6 to 12 months | Light scraping and polish. Mild gum soreness |
| Filling | Remove decay and restore shape | As needed when you have a cavity | Numbness. Pressure and vibration. Short term tenderness |
| Root canal | Stop infection and save the tooth | As needed for deep decay or injury | Numb during care. Soreness for a few days |
| Crown | Protect weak or cracked tooth | As needed when a tooth cannot hold a filling | Gum tenderness. Tooth feels different when biting |
Preparing yourself and your family
You can face these treatments with less fear when you know what to expect. Before each visit:
- Write down your questions about pain, time, and cost
- Share your full health history and medicines
- Tell your dentist about any fear or past trauma
During the visit, ask your dentist to explain each step in simple terms. You can agree on a hand signal if you need a pause. You can also ask about numbing gel, music, or other comforts.
After care, follow instructions on eating, brushing, and pain control. Call the office if pain grows or lasts longer than they told you. Early calls prevent bigger trouble.
When you understand these four common treatments, you gain more control. You can plan care for yourself and your family with less confusion and less fear. Regular visits, honest questions, and simple daily habits protect your smile and your health.