General Dentistry

General dentistry provides all of your basic oral health care needs, including oral exams and preventive teeth cleaning. At her dental practice, located in Midland, Texas, experienced general and cosmetic dentist Ashley Burns, DDS, and her team offer various general dentistry services, including sedation, root canal therapy, dental fillings, and extractions. Call the practice of Ashley Burns, DDS, today to request a general dentistry consultation or make your appointment online.

What is general dentistry?

General dentistry uses routine checkups and preventive teeth cleanings to keep your smile healthy. 

It’s important to visit your dentist at least twice a year, no matter your age. Regular oral exams and X-rays can alert you to underlying issues and encourage optimal oral well-being. 

What services does general dentistry provide?

The Ashley Burns, DDS team offers various general dentistry services, including:

Digital X-rays

Digital X-rays use electronic sensors to capture photos of your tooth roots, jaw, and alveolar bone (the bone that anchors your teeth). X-rays help your dentist identify potentially serious issues, like damaged tooth pulp, cavities, or bone loss. 

Teeth cleaning

Teeth cleaning uses special tools, like dental scalers, to remove plaque –– a mix of saliva, bacteria, and food particles –– from the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gums. Keeping plaque from collecting reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease.

The Wand Single-Tooth Anesthesia System

The Single Tooth Anesthesia System (STA®) uses a wandlike device to precisely administer pain medication. It’s a quick and effective way to minimize discomfort during routine oral procedures. 

Crowns

Your dentist may recommend a crown if you have a severely decaying or damaged tooth. Crowns restore your tooth enamel to its near-original shape, allowing you to confidently bite and chew.

Dental fillings

A filling uses tooth-colored composite resin to repair damage to your tooth enamel. The filling reinforces your tooth’s structure and prevents harmful bacteria from accessing your tooth pulp.

Extractions

If you have crowded teeth or a severely damaged tooth, your dentist might recommend extractions. Your dentist administers a local anesthetic beforehand, ensuring the procedure is comfortable and painless. 

Root canals 

Root canal therapy removes infected or inflamed pulp –– nerves and blood vessels –– from the center of a tooth. Removing the pulp from your tooth and filling it with a synthetic material, called gutta-percha, stops the infection from spreading and prevents the need for an extraction.  

Periodontal therapy

Periodontal therapy is a dental subspecialty that treats gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The Ashley Burns, DDS team offers several types of periodontal therapy, including scaling and root planing, oral antibiotics, and gum graft surgery.

Your dentist tailors your visit based on your oral health history and goals. 

Who can benefit from general dentistry?

All people can benefit from general dentistry. Establishing care with the Ashley Burns, DDS team can significantly reduce your risk of gum disease, cavities, and other oral issues. 

Visiting the office every six months for an oral exam, X-rays, and preventive teeth cleaning can provide peace of mind and encourage optimal oral well-being.

Call the practice of Ashley Burns, DDS today to request a general dentistry appointment or book online.