Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital, and one of the most important assets to performers is the perfect smile. Aside from regular dental cleanings and fillings, there are a variety of reasons to seek out a dentist in Las Vegas. Depending upon your specific needs, dentists perform a wide variety of services, so choosing the best one for you can be based upon a number of factors. Each dentist performs a specific set of services, although most include general dentistry such as oral exams, teeth cleaning, filling cavities, and fluoride treatments. Creating or replacing crowns and bridges, dentures, and partials are commonly offered. However, when there is a need for additional treatments or services not offered by general dentists, they may require the expertise of a specialist.
Cosmetic dentists are specialists who use techniques to treat teeth that are discolored, chipped, spaced incorrectly, or missing. Not all improvements are merely cosmetic; they may also be used to improve positioning of the bite. This area of dentistry has become very popular, and many people seeking that perfect smile start with teeth whitening to eliminate stains and discoloration. Veneers and porcelain ceramic crowns may also be included in their services, as might bonding, contouring, and reshaping. It is common to require certain types of specialty treatments and therapies prior to having cosmetic work done, including periodontics (treatment of gum disease using gingivectomy or gum graft surgery), oral surgery such as implants, wisdom teeth extraction, or bone grafting, endodontics (root canals), or prosthodontics (attachment of implants to dentures or partials).
Orthodontics is a specialty that corrects structural problems with the teeth and jaws. Aside from the undesirable appearance of crooked teeth, there are many serious health problems associated with these defects, and may include TMJ syndrome and neck, shoulder, or back pain. The positioning of the teeth and jaws can also affect facial appearance. One of the most common appliances used by orthodontists to correct bite defects is braces. Aligners are a popular alternative to braces that are virtually invisible and removable. Retainers may be used alone as a therapy or to maintain the positioning achieved with braces or aligners upon their removal. Other tools used by orthodontists may include jaw repositioning splints, palatal expanders, headgear, space maintainers and fixed appliances, and lip and cheek bumpers.
While general dentistry may be the starting point for adult oral health maintenance, infants, children, and adolescents may need specialized care. Pediatric dentistry addresses those needs, and requires specialized education beyond dental school. Additional training in child psychology, behavior, growth, and development is required, as is the desire to work with children. Dentists who work in this specialty are an important part of a child’s overall development and health, and often responsible for creating the healthy oral habits that will follow them throughout their lifetime.
Regardless of whether you are a Las Vegas performer or not, looking for a dentist in Las Vegas requires careful research, references from friends or family, and some understanding of your dental needs. Good oral health habits may be one of the keys to our overall good health.
