Treatment
General dentistry
Check-ups, cleaning, fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns and bridges, and help when something hurts.
Medical review by Dr. Vahid: pending ·
What does general dentistry include?
In short
General dentistry is the everyday care that keeps your teeth and gums healthy and fixes problems early. It includes check-ups, cleaning, fillings, root canal treatment, extractions, and crowns and bridges. A regular check-up usually lets us find small problems before they cause pain or need bigger treatment.
What happens, step by step
Say hello and talk
We ask about your health, medicines and what brought you in. If you are in pain, we start there.
Examination
We check your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues of your mouth. We take X-rays only when they will help.
Options explained
We tell you what we found, what we recommend, and what the choices are, including doing nothing for now. We explain the costs before any treatment.
Treatment and follow-up
With your agreement, we treat what is needed, now or at a booked visit. We then explain how to look after the tooth and when to come back.
Is general dentistry right for you?
- You want a regular check-up and clean, or you have not seen a dentist for a while.
- You have a toothache, a broken tooth, a lost filling or bleeding gums.
- You have a tooth that is decayed or damaged and needs repair.
- You want advice on looking after your teeth, or a second opinion on a treatment plan.
Options
Check-ups and cleaning
We examine your teeth, gums and mouth, take X-rays when they are needed, and clean away plaque and tartar (scale and polish). We also show you how to clean your teeth better at home.
Fillings
Decay is removed and the tooth is rebuilt with a tooth-coloured filling. The sooner decay is treated, the smaller the filling usually is.
Root canal treatment
When the nerve inside a tooth is infected or damaged, we clean out the inside of the tooth and seal it, so the tooth can often be kept. The tooth is usually then protected with a crown.
Extractions
When a tooth cannot be saved, we remove it under local anaesthetic and talk about how to replace it if you want to.
Crowns and bridges
A crown covers and strengthens a damaged tooth. A bridge fills a gap by attaching a false tooth to crowns on the teeth either side.
Dental emergencies
If you are in pain, call or message us and we will try to see you as soon as we can. Please tell us what has happened, when it started, and whether you have swelling or a fever.
How long does general dentistry take?
- Check-up and clean
- Usually 30 to 60 minutes.
- How often to visit
- For most people every six months to a year. We will advise you based on your own risk of decay and gum disease.
- Fillings
- Usually one visit, often around 30 to 60 minutes.
- Root canal treatment
- Usually one to three visits, depending on the tooth.
- Anaesthesia
- Local anaesthetic for fillings, root canals and extractions. Check-ups and cleaning often need none.
- Recovery
- Most people go back to normal activities the same day. Teeth may be tender for a few days after treatment.
Aftercare
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth once a day.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks, particularly between meals.
- Avoid eating until the numbness wears off, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
- After an extraction, do not rinse hard, spit or use a straw on the first day, and avoid smoking, which can cause a painful dry socket.
- After a root canal, the tooth can be tender for a few days. Avoid chewing hard on it until it is crowned.
- Contact us if pain gets worse, swelling develops, or bleeding does not stop.
Risks and limitations
- Fillings can crack, leak or fall out over time, and decay can start again under or around them.
- A root canal tooth can still fail, and is more brittle afterward. It is usually best protected with a crown.
- Extraction can lead to a dry socket, infection or bleeding, and the gap can let neighbouring teeth drift.
- Crowns and bridges can loosen, chip or wear, and the teeth under them still need cleaning well.
- Local anaesthetic can make your lip or tongue numb for a few hours.
- Dental pain does not always mean serious decay, but delaying treatment can make problems bigger.
Alternatives
- For decay, a small filling now often avoids a root canal or extraction later.
- For a damaged tooth, a filling, crown or extraction may all be options. We will explain the pros and cons.
- For a missing tooth, an implant, bridge, denture or leaving the gap.
- Watching a small problem and checking it again at your next visit, if it is safe to do so.
Questions about general dentistry
How often should I see a dentist?
For most people, every six months to a year. Some people need to come more often, for example if you get decay or gum disease easily, smoke or have diabetes. Others can wait longer. At your first visit we will recommend a schedule based on your own mouth.
What happens at a check-up and clean?
We ask about your health, then check your teeth, gums and the rest of your mouth. We take X-rays only if they are needed. A clean removes plaque and tartar from above and just below the gum line. We then show you how to clean at home. Most visits take around 30 to 60 minutes.
What should I do if I have a toothache?
Message or call us and we will try to see you as soon as we can. Until then, rinse gently with warm water, keep your head up, and use simple pain relief as directed on the pack if it is suitable for you. Swelling in the face or a fever needs attention quickly.
Is a root canal treatment painful?
It should not be. The tooth is numbed with local anaesthetic, so the treatment itself is usually no more uncomfortable than a large filling. The tooth can be tender for a few days afterward. Root canal treatment is done to relieve pain from an infected nerve and to keep the tooth rather than remove it.
Do you remove wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth only need removing if they cause problems, such as pain, infection or damage to the tooth in front. We will examine you and take an X-ray to see how they are placed. If your case is complicated, we will tell you honestly and discuss the best option for you.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
Often, yes, particularly for back teeth. A tooth that has had a root canal can be more brittle, and a crown protects it from cracking when you chew. We will tell you whether the tooth needs one and how it compares with a filling, so you can decide.
Other treatments
Dental implants
A fixed way to replace one tooth, several teeth or a full arch, planned from a scan at your consultation.
Veneers
Thin shells of porcelain or composite that cover the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape or size.
Cosmetic dentistry
Whitening, bonding and smile planning to change how your teeth look, with a clear explanation of each option's limits.
Talk to Dr. Vahid about general dentistry
Send us a message or call. We will suggest a time for a consultation.
Address
Naji Aldakhil Medical CenterOffice 202, Block A, Al Khalafi Building, Al Mamzar, DubaiGet directions
Opening hours
- Saturday – Thursday
- 10 AM – 8 PM
- Friday
- Closed