General Dentistry in East Longmeadow, MA

Each year, around 65.5% of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 have at least one dental visit. Most people turn to a dentist for general dentistry services, including preventive care and tooth extractions. 

At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, Gregory Zirakian, DMD, offers general dentistry services to help you maintain your oral health. 

What Is General Dentistry?

General dentistry is a branch of dentistry that includes a range of services that help you maintain good oral health. For most dental practices, these include:

  • Preventive care
  • Gum disease treatment
  • Tooth extractions
  • Fillings
  • Root canals

The first step in getting help is to schedule a free consultation by contacting our office. 

General Dentistry Services at East Longmeadow Family Dental Center

At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, Dr. Zirakian provides many general dentistry services. 

Exams and Cleanings

Regular exams allow Dr. Zirakian to catch emerging oral health issues before they get worse. He performs diagnostic imaging with state-of-the-art CBCT X-rays, as well as thorough inspections of your mouth, teeth, gums, head, neck, and jaws. During these exams, he’ll look for signs of cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer. 

Dr. Zirakian recommends getting regular exams every six months. 

Professional teeth cleanings are another crucial part of preventive care. These services help remove plaque and tartar that can lead to tooth decay. Our dental hygienist will perform professional flossing, as well, and apply a fluoride treatment that can help fight against cavities for months. 

Gum Disease Treatment

Gum disease is a serious concern that can cause tooth loss and even affect your overall health. For many people, gum disease is painless, so the only way to catch it or stop its progression is to turn to professionals. 

The most common cause of gum disease is poor brushing and flossing habits, which allow plaque to build up on your teeth and harden into tartar. Once tartar forms, only a professional can remove it. The first signs of gum disease include red and swollen gums, which can progress to bone pain and even tooth loss if the disease is not treated in time. 

Dr. Zirakian will first perform a gum examination and measure pockets around the teeth using a probe. He can then take X-rays of your jaws and teeth to determine the best treatments. 

Tooth Extractions

Tooth extractions are procedures that remove a tooth completely from its socket. A tooth extraction may be necessary if you have:

  • A fractured tooth
  • Severe tooth decay
  • Crowded teeth
  • An impacted tooth
  • Severe gum disease

To perform the tooth extraction, Dr. Zirakian applies local anesthesia, giving you the option of sedation if you have dental anxieties, and then maneuvers the tooth until it comes away from the socket. He will then clean the socket and may add bone grafting material to prevent bone loss. The procedure only takes a few minutes.

The most common extraction procedures are for wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars at the back of your mouth. Many times, they partially erupt or do not erupt at all. Partially erupted wisdom teeth can increase your chances of tooth decay because food particles can get trapped there, attracting bacteria. 

Wisdom teeth can also affect your other teeth, crowding them and moving them out of alignment. For most people, removing wisdom teeth is the best choice. 

Sealants

Sealants are tooth-colored resin coatings that fill in the grooves in your teeth and prevent bacteria from settling there and causing decay. While they are usually recommended for children to help prevent cavities, sealants are effective for all ages. 

For the procedure, Dr. Zirakian will first clean your teeth and then apply a solution that allows the sealant to dry quickly on your tooth. The sealant hardens in about a minute, and it can last for up to a decade.

Fillings

Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin, a strong material designed to protect your tooth for years. If you have tooth decay, Dr. Zirakian might remove the infected parts of the tooth, using composite resin to fill in the gaps. These fillings closely resemble your natural teeth.

This procedure can be completed in just one appointment. Dr. Zirakian will numb the tooth that will receive treatment and remove the decay. He will then clean the space in the tooth. If the decay is near the tooth’s nerve, he can add a special medication to protect the root. 

Once he adds the filling, he will shape it and polish it so that it looks and feels natural. 

Root Canals

If you have an infected tooth, you might need a root canal. This general dentistry procedure aims to remove the infection and save the tooth. 

A root canal may be necessary when oral bacteria enter the tooth’s pulp. This can happen when a cavity goes untreated. Common symptoms that you may need a root canal include:

  • Persistent tooth pain
  • Swollen gums
  • Sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Tooth discoloration
  • Pimple on the gums
  • Swollen jaw

Dr. Zirakian will make a hole in the affected tooth and remove the infected pulp before cleaning and shaping the root canals. He will fill these with a dental material called gutta-percha. 

Most people require a dental crown to protect a tooth that has received a root canal. During the appointment, Dr. Zirakian will make an impression of the tooth. As you wait for the lab to create the crown, your tooth will have protection from a layer of sealant. At the next appointment, Dr. Zirakian will prepare the tooth and then place the crown.

Get Quality General Dentistry Services

Your oral health can have serious impacts on your overall well-being, so taking the time to schedule regular appointments with a professional can prevent serious issues and treat any concerns you already have. 

At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center in East Longmeadow, MA, Dr. Zirakian offers general dentistry services, including preventive treatments like exams and cleanings. To resolve oral health concerns, he performs restorative procedures like crowns and bridges. 

With nearly 40 years of experience, Dr. Zirakian is ready to offer the quality care you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation.