Guide to thee Basic Dental Procedures
Maintaining good oral health starts with understanding the basic dental procedures that keep your teeth, gums, and mouth in excellent condition. At Suburban Essex Dental, under the expert care of Dr. Paul Feldman, patients receive personalized, top-quality treatments designed to promote long-term dental wellness. As a Top NJ Dentist every year since 2012, Dr. Feldman is known for his commitment to comfort, innovation, and precision in all aspects of dentistry.
From routine cleanings to more advanced restorative care, understanding basic dental procedures and what to expect during each procedure helps ease anxiety and encourages proactive oral health.
Here’s a detailed overview of the most common and basic dental procedures you can expect at your trusted Essex County dental office.
9 Basic Dental Procedures
Dental Exams and Cleanings
One of the most important preventive dental services is the routine dental exam and professional cleaning. Typically recommended every six months, these visits allow your dentist to detect early signs of cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer.
What Happens During a Dental Exam
During your exam, Dr. Feldman conducts a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Digital X-rays may be taken to reveal hidden decay, bone loss, or impacted teeth. Using modern imaging technology, Suburban Essex Dental ensures minimal radiation exposure while delivering highly accurate results.
Professional Teeth Cleaning
Next comes the cleaning, performed by a skilled dental hygienist. Plaque and tartar are removed from hard-to-reach areas, followed by polishing to restore your teeth’s natural shine. Regular cleanings not only improve your smile’s appearance but also help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are one of the most common procedures used to restore teeth damaged by decay. At Suburban Essex Dental, composite resin fillings are preferred for their natural, tooth-colored appearance and long-lasting durability.
The Process
Dr. Feldman gently removes the decayed portion of the tooth, cleans the cavity, and fills it with the composite material. The filling is then shaped and hardened with a special curing light, restoring both the function and aesthetics of your tooth.
Why Fillings Are Important
Untreated cavities can lead to more serious issues like infections, tooth loss, or abscesses. Fillings protect your tooth structure and prevent future decay, making them a vital part of basic dental care.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
When a tooth is severely damaged or weakened, a dental crown offers a reliable solution. Crowns act as a protective cap that restores the shape, size, and strength of your natural tooth.
Crowns
Crowns can be made from porcelain, ceramic, or metal alloys, depending on your needs and preferences. Suburban Essex Dental uses state-of-the-art materials to ensure a natural look and comfortable fit. Dr. Feldman designs each crown to blend seamlessly with your existing teeth, improving both functionality and appearance.
Bridges
If you’re missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge may be recommended. Bridges consist of artificial teeth anchored to adjacent natural teeth or implants. This treatment restores your smile and maintains proper bite alignment, preventing surrounding teeth from shifting out of place.
Root Canal Therapy
Many people fear root canals, but advances in modern dentistry have made this procedure virtually painless. A root canal becomes necessary when the pulp inside a tooth becomes infected or inflamed due to decay, cracks, or trauma.
What To Expect
Dr. Feldman carefully removes the infected tissue, cleans and disinfects the inside of the tooth, and seals it to prevent further infection. A crown is often placed afterward to strengthen the tooth and restore its appearance.
Benefits of Root Canal Treatment
This treatment preserves your natural tooth, eliminates pain, and helps maintain jawbone integrity—making it an essential dental procedure for saving teeth that might otherwise require extraction.
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved and must be extracted. Whether due to severe decay, infection, overcrowding, or impacted wisdom teeth, tooth extraction is a straightforward procedure performed with precision and care at Suburban Essex Dental.
Gentle and Comfortable Care
Dr. Feldman ensures that every extraction is done with your comfort in mind, using local anesthesia and gentle techniques. After the procedure, patients receive detailed aftercare instructions to promote fast healing and minimize discomfort.
Dental Implants
While not always categorized as “basic,” dental implants are a common solution for replacing missing teeth. An implant consists of a titanium post inserted into the jawbone, which acts as an artificial root. A custom crown is then attached to create a natural-looking replacement tooth.
Advantages of Dental Implants
Implants provide superior stability, prevent bone loss, and function like natural teeth. They are a long-term solution for patients looking to restore both aesthetics and confidence.
Gum Care and Periodontal Treatments
Healthy gums are the foundation of a beautiful smile. Gum care includes treatments that prevent and manage periodontal disease, a common condition caused by bacterial buildup.
Scaling and Root Planing
For patients with early stages of gum disease, a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing may be performed. This removes plaque and tartar beneath the gum line and smooths the tooth roots to encourage reattachment of the gums.
Ongoing Maintenance
Suburban Essex Dental emphasizes ongoing periodontal maintenance to help patients preserve healthy gums and prevent tooth loss.
Cosmetic Dental Procedures
In addition to preventive and restorative care, Dr. Feldman offers cosmetic dental procedures to enhance your smile’s appearance.
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening delivers dramatic results compared to over-the-counter kits. In-office whitening safely removes deep stains, brightening your smile several shades in just one visit.
Veneers and Bonding
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover imperfections such as chips, discoloration, or uneven spacing. Bonding uses composite resin to repair minor flaws, improving aesthetics in a single appointment.
Pediatric and Family Dentistry
Dr. Feldman and his team at Suburban Essex Dental provide compassionate care for patients of all ages. Family dentistry focuses on education, prevention, and building positive experiences for children. Regular checkups starting at a young age help establish lifelong oral health habits.
Gentle Approach for Kids
From fluoride treatments to sealants, Dr. Feldman ensures that young patients feel comfortable, confident, and safe during every visit.
Why Choose Dr. Paul Feldman and Suburban Essex Dental
With over a decade of recognition as a Top NJ Dentist, Dr. Paul Feldman has built a reputation for excellence, compassion, and cutting-edge care. Suburban Essex Dental combines advanced technology with personalized service to provide the highest standard of dental care in a comfortable, modern setting.
Patients trust Dr. Feldman for:
- Comprehensive dental solutions under one roof
- Expertise in both general and cosmetic dentistry
- A patient-first philosophy emphasizing comfort and education
- A long-standing record of excellence recognized throughout New Jersey
Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Smile
Start with Basic Dental Procedures
Whether you need a routine cleaning, a filling, or a complete smile makeover, Suburban Essex Dental offers everything you need to achieve and maintain optimal oral health. Dr. Paul Feldman and his experienced team are dedicated to making every visit positive, stress-free, and effective.
Schedule your appointment today with Suburban Essex Dental and experience why Dr. Paul Feldman has been named a Top NJ Dentist since 2012 — where every smile receives the expert care it deserves.