General Dentist in Waco, TX
Waco, TX, general dentist, Dr. Steven Cutbirth is passionate about dental excellence and whole body health. He ensures that patients achieve good oral health and function so that they can avoid:
- Tooth pain
- Discomfort
- Invasive dental work
- Expensive dental work
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Cosmetic imperfections
- Tooth loss
Dr. Steven Cutbirth, DDS, offers a comprehensive approach to dentistry. This means he focuses on the final product and how each treatment will affect your entire body in the long run. Dr. Cutbirth often says: “If you want it done right, come to our office.”
What Happens at a General Dentistry Checkup?
A routine dental checkup is a crucial part of maintaining oral health and preventing potential dental problems. Typically scheduled every six months, these appointments involve a series of procedures designed to assess and maintain the overall well-being of the teeth, gums, and mouth. Let’s delve into what typically happens during a routine dental check-up.
- Medical History | The first step usually involves a discussion about your dental history, any concerns you might have, and your oral hygiene routine. This conversation allows the dental professional to gather relevant information and understand your specific needs.
Oral Examination | Next, our dental professional will examine your mouth, starting with a visual inspection of the teeth and gums. They look for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or other abnormalities. They also check the alignment of the teeth, jaw, and bite, paying attention to any signs of malocclusion or misalignment. They’ll take down these notes to report them to the dentist after the cleaning.
Professional Plaque Cleaning | Following the visual examination, the dental hygienist performs a thorough cleaning, also known as dental prophylaxis. This involves removing plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and gum line using specialized instruments. The dental hygienist may also use a gritty toothpaste and a high-powered electric toothbrush to polish the teeth, leaving them smooth and shiny.
Check-in With the Dentist | After the cleaning, Dr. Cutbirth will perform a detailed examination of your teeth and gums, using dental tools like a periodontal probe to measure the depth of gum pockets. He’ll look closely at any problem areas the hygienist might have seen along with doing his own detailed check for oral health concerns.
Follow-up Appointments as Necessary | Your dentist may recommend further treatment if any issues are detected, such as fillings for cavities, a root canal for an infected tooth, or a referral to a specialist for orthodontic or periodontal treatment.
Regular checkups allow dentists to detect and address any dental issues early on, promoting long-term oral health and preventing more serious problems in the future. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile!
Preventative Dental Care
Preventative care in dentistry is an essential part of maintaining your beautiful smile long into your adult life and retaining the majority of your oral function for a healthier, happier you.
Preventative dentistry includes teeth cleanings, dental examinations, and any other dental treatments used to prevent oral health problems. Brushing and flossing at home are a great start—and the professional oral health team at Steven T. Cutbirth, DDS, will keep your mouth and your smile in tip-top shape while being able to identify any oral health hazards before they become painful or costly.
Oral Cancer Screenings
People who are diagnosed with oral cancer often discover it after it has moved from the mouth to a different part of the body. With oral cancer screening from Dr. Cutbirth and his team, we will be able to catch any warning signs earlier. Once a year, adult patients should schedule a general dentistry visit that includes an oral cancer screening. This screening can protect your health by providing early detection that can make treatment more effective.
Mercury-Free Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are critical for repairing chipped teeth, broken teeth, or decayed teeth. Our dental fillings are mercury-free and colored to match your teeth with precision. We make sure our dental fillings process is brief and comfortable for every patient.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants smooth out the teeth and prevent the buildup of bacteria. Tooth sealants are a great general dentistry tool because they deter gum disease and tooth decay by protecting teeth that are most vulnerable to those health issues.
Gum Disease Treatment
Periodontal care is a pivotal part of general dentistry. Unhealthy gums result in pain, tooth loss, and jawbone dysfunction. We provide effective gum disease treatment options like scaling and root planing. If you have swollen gums that bleed easily, you should ask Dr. Cutbirth about gum disease treatment at our Waco, TX, dental practice.
We Care for Your Smile!
Dr. Cutbirth is the Director of the Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry and is constantly active in continuing education. You can trust him with your smile and the smiles of your loved ones.
We provide patient amenities like noise-canceling headphones and dental sedation at our Waco dental office near Robinson, TX, because we want your visit to be enjoyable.
To schedule your next appointment, call our Waco dentist office today!
