General Dentistry

General dentistry provides all of your oral health care needs, from exams and teeth cleaning to X-rays and dental restorations. At Morrison Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Bethesda and Gaithersburg, Maryland, experienced cosmetic dentist Eric Morrison, DDS, and the team provide general dentistry to children, teens and adults. Call Morrison Cosmetic & General Dentistry today to schedule a general dentistry appointment, or book your visit online.

Why is general dentistry so important?

General dentistry is important because it keeps your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. It uses preventive measures, such as X-rays and oral exams, to catch problems like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer early in their development. General dentistry also presents an opportunity to ask questions, address concerns, and build a relationship with Dr. Morrison.

What services does general dentistry provide?

The Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry team provides various general dentistry services, including:

Oral exams

An oral exam assesses the health of your teeth, gums, tongue, and inner cheeks. It lets Dr. Morrison check for underlying problems, such as cavities, periodontal disease, and halitosis (chronic bad breath).

Dental X-rays

Dr. Morrison uses digital sensors to take dental x-rays, exposing you to 90% less radiation, and advanced imaging technology to capture photos of your teeth and jawbone. They let him see underlying problems possibly invisible to the eye, such as cavities, bone loss, and infected and impacted wisdom teeth. 

Professional teeth cleaning

Professional teeth cleaning removes plaque –– a mixture of saliva, food particles, and bacteria –– from the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gums. Professional teeth cleaning is necessary, even if you brush and floss daily. That’s because it’s hard to access plaque buildup that occurs between your teeth and underneath your gums.

Root canal therapy

Root canal therapy is an outpatient procedure that treats infected or inflamed tooth pulp. Removing infected pulp from the center of a tooth relieves pain, stops the infection from spreading, and prevents the need for an extraction.

Restorative treatment

Restorative treatment, or restorative dentistry, uses custom oral appliances, like crowns and bridges, to repair tooth damage and/or decay. 

Oral surgery

Oral surgery is a general dentistry subspecialty focused on making surgical repairs. Examples of oral surgery include extractions, root canal therapy, and gum grafting.

Treatment of periodontal disease

Periodontal disease (gum disease) causes your gums to become red, swollen, and irritated. Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry offers several types of periodontal treatment, including scaling and root planing, antibiotic therapy, and gum grafts.

How often should I schedule general dentistry?

The Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry team recommends scheduling a general dentistry checkup every six months. Routine visits to the dentist preserve your teeth, gums, and smile and reduce the risk of common oral health problems like cavities and gum disease.

Call the nearest Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry office today to schedule a general dentistry appointment, or book your visit online.