General Dentistry
Our office provides various preventive and general oral care options to keep your family’s smiles healthy and shining brightly. Our devoted dentists and staff at Merrell & Nichols Dentistry provide thorough examinations, expert cleanings, digital X-rays, and more to support you and your loved ones in maintaining healthy enamel and gum tissues. At Merrell & Nichols Dentistry, we believe the first step in keeping your smile beautiful is ensuring your teeth and gums are healthy. Call us immediately if you require the best dentist in Lubbock, TX.
What is General Dentistry?
- General dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the available care and treatment of the teeth and gums. A general dentist is a dental professional who has completed an accredited dental program and has passed all state licensure exams. General dentists, such as Dr. Merrell typically provide preventive care, such as regular teeth cleanings and fluoride treatments, as well as available dental procedures, such as fillings, extractions, and crowns. General dentists may also offer specialized services, such as gum disease treatment, orthodontics, or dental implants.
Why See a General Dentist in Lubbock?
Why see a general dentist? Regular dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health. During a dental visit, your dentist will check for tooth decay or other problems and can provide treatment to help prevent serious dental problems. So, if you are due for a dental check-up, schedule an appointment with your general dentist today!
Dental Cleanings and Exams
At Merrell & Nichols DDS, we believe the first step in keeping your smile beautiful is ensuring your teeth and gums are healthy. We offer comprehensive new patient exams and routine exams at cleaning appointments.
We recommend having your teeth cleaned at least every six months. Your initial oral examination includes a visual inspection, charting, periodontal probing, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We will also take X-rays, including the panoramic X-ray, for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth and the bite-wing X-ray series for accurate diagnosis of proximal decay of posterior teeth.
Dental Fillings
Dental cavities (also known as tooth decay) frequently occur when germs attack tooth enamel and leave behind a hole. Our experienced general dentists provide tooth-colored composite fillings consisting of a composite resin to fill cavities and fix chipped teeth or other minor tooth damage. Composite resin offers a pleasing visual effect and is colored to match your tooth. Today’s fillings are more robust, long-lasting, and realistic-looking than ever before.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are applied to the grooved chewing surfaces of the back teeth to help protect these higher-risk areas from developing tooth decay. These teeth contain natural grooves and fissures that could collect food particles, germs, and plaque, increasing their susceptibility to tooth decay. Sealants consist of a thin, tooth-colored, or invisible substance that we apply onto the chewing surfaces to help guard the molars or premolars against corrosion.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a substance that occurs naturally strengthens teeth and lowers the risk of tooth decay. We apply fluoride treatments to your teeth as a preventive dentistry procedure to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.
Tooth Extractions
We may need to extract your tooth if tooth decay has damaged enough of your tooth’s structure to make repair difficult. Additionally, we may need to remove teeth to prepare for the insertion of dental implants or to extract a wisdom tooth that is threatening to crowd nearby teeth or is not correctly emerging from the gums. We will always try to save your natural tooth first and foremost.
Best General Dentist in Lubbock, TX
Regarding general dentistry, there are many reasons to choose Merrell & Nichols Dentistry. First and foremost, we are general dentists dedicated to providing the highest quality of care possible. We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques and continually update our knowledge and skills to ensure they provide the most up-to-date care.In addition, we are committed to making sure that our patients are comfortable and relaxed during their visits. We offer various services, including teeth cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and more. Whether you need primary general dentistry or more specialized care, Merrell & Nichols Dentistry is here to help.
