Common Dental Procedures: What to Expect
Understanding dental procedures reduces anxiety and helps you make informed decisions. Learn about the most common treatments, their purposes, processes, and what to expect.
1. Professional Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
The foundation of preventive dentistry. The American Dental Association recommends cleanings every 6 months for most patients.
What Happens During a Cleaning
- 1. Examination - Visual inspection of teeth, gums, and oral tissues
- 2. Scaling - Removal of plaque and tartar with ultrasonic or manual tools
- 3. Polishing - Gritty toothpaste buffs away surface stains
- 4. Flossing - Professional flossing removes debris between teeth
- 5. Fluoride treatment - Optional strengthening treatment (often included)
Duration
30-60 minutes
Cost
$75-$200 (often fully covered by insurance)
Recovery
None - resume normal activities immediately
2. Dental Fillings
Most common restorative procedure, used to repair teeth damaged by decay. The CDC reports 92% of adults have had at least one cavity.
Filling Materials
Composite Resin (Tooth-Colored)
- • Pros: Natural appearance, bonds to tooth, versatile for small-medium fillings
- • Cons: Less durable than amalgam (5-10 years), higher cost, may stain over time
- • Cost: $150-$450 per filling
- • Best for: Front teeth, visible areas, small to medium cavities
Silver Amalgam
- • Pros: Very durable (10-15+ years), less expensive, strong for back teeth
- • Cons: Silver color, may expand/contract with temperature, mercury concerns (FDA says safe)
- • Cost: $50-$300 per filling
- • Best for: Back teeth, large cavities, patients on budget
Gold & Ceramic (Indirect Fillings)
- • Pros: Most durable (15-30 years), biocompatible, excellent fit
- • Cons: Expensive, requires 2 visits, gold is very visible
- • Cost: $250-$4,500 depending on material and size
- • Best for: Large restorations, patients who grind teeth
The Filling Process
- 1. Numbing - Local anesthetic injected near the affected tooth (takes 5-10 minutes to take effect)
- 2. Decay removal - Dentist uses drill or laser to remove decayed portion of tooth
- 3. Preparation - Tooth is cleaned and prepared for filling material
- 4. Filling placement - Material applied in layers (composite) or as single piece (amalgam)
- 5. Shaping & polishing - Filling shaped to match bite, polished smooth
Duration: 20-60 minutes depending on size and location
After Your Filling
- • Numbness wears off in 1-3 hours - avoid hot beverages and chewing during this time
- • Mild sensitivity normal for a few days, especially with composite fillings
- • Contact dentist if pain persists beyond a week or bite feels uneven
- • Composite fillings are fully set immediately; amalgam sets within 24 hours
3. Root Canal Treatment (Endodontic Therapy)
Despite its reputation, root canal treatment relieves pain rather than causing it. Over 15 million root canals are performed annually in the US, with a 95% success rate.
When Is It Needed?
- • Deep decay reaching the tooth pulp (nerve and blood vessels)
- • Crack or fracture allowing bacteria to enter pulp
- • Trauma to tooth damaging pulp
- • Repeated dental procedures on same tooth
- • Large filling compromising structural integrity
Warning Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- • Severe toothache when chewing or applying pressure
- • Prolonged sensitivity to hot/cold (lingers after stimulus removed)
- • Darkening or discoloration of tooth
- • Swelling and tenderness in nearby gums
- • Persistent or recurring pimple on gums
The Root Canal Process
Visit 1 (60-90 minutes)
- 1. X-ray to assess infection extent
- 2. Local anesthetic (same as filling - you won't feel pain during procedure)
- 3. Rubber dam placed to isolate tooth and keep it dry
- 4. Access hole drilled in top of tooth
- 5. Infected pulp removed, root canals cleaned and shaped
- 6. Canals filled with rubber-like material (gutta-percha)
- 7. Temporary filling placed to seal opening
Visit 2 (2-3 weeks later, 30-60 minutes)
- • Temporary filling removed
- • Permanent filling or crown placed
- • Crown typically recommended for structural support (especially back teeth)
Cost
- • Front tooth: $700-$1,100
- • Bicuspid: $800-$1,200
- • Molar: $1,200-$1,800
- • Crown additional: $1,000-$3,000
- • Insurance typically covers 50-80%
Recovery
- • Mild discomfort 2-3 days (OTC pain relievers sufficient)
- • Avoid chewing on that side until permanent restoration
- • Brush and floss normally
- • Contact dentist if severe pain or swelling develops
4. Dental Crowns (Caps)
A crown covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Used when a tooth is too damaged for a filling.
Common Reasons for Crowns
- Protect weak tooth from breaking (after root canal or large filling)
- Restore broken or severely worn tooth
- Cover and support tooth with large filling when little structure remains
- Hold dental bridge in place
- Cover dental implant
- Improve appearance of misshapen or discolored tooth
Traditional Crown Process (2 Visits)
Visit 1 (60-90 minutes)
- • Tooth numbed and prepared (filed down to create space for crown)
- • Impression or digital scan taken
- • Shade selected to match surrounding teeth
- • Temporary crown placed (plastic/metal, fragile)
- • Crown sent to lab (2-3 weeks fabrication)
Visit 2 (30-60 minutes)
- • Temporary crown removed
- • Permanent crown checked for fit and color
- • Crown cemented in place
- • Bite adjusted if needed
Same-Day Crowns (CEREC)
Some offices offer same-day crowns using CAD/CAM technology:
- • Digital impressions instead of putty molds
- • Crown designed on computer
- • Milled from porcelain block in-office (90 minutes)
- • Placed same day - no temporary crown needed
- • Slightly more expensive but very convenient
5. Tooth Extraction
Removal of a tooth from its socket in the bone. While dentists prefer to save teeth when possible, extraction is sometimes necessary.
Reasons for Extraction
- • Severe decay beyond repair
- • Advanced gum disease loosening tooth
- • Infection unresponsive to root canal
- • Crowding (orthodontic reasons)
- • Impacted wisdom teeth
- • Fractured tooth with root damage
Types of Extraction
Simple Extraction
Tooth is visible above gumline
- • Local anesthetic only
- • Tooth loosened with elevator tool
- • Removed with forceps
- • 20-40 minutes
- • Cost: $75-$300
Surgical Extraction
Tooth not easily accessible (broken, impacted)
- • IV sedation or general anesthesia option
- • Gum incision may be needed
- • Bone removal or tooth sectioning
- • 30-90 minutes
- • Cost: $225-$600+
Post-Extraction Care (Critical for Healing)
- • First 24 hours: Bite on gauze for 30-45 minutes, apply ice packs, avoid rinsing/spitting, no straws
- • Days 2-7: Gentle salt water rinses (after 24 hours), soft foods, sleep with head elevated
- • Avoid: Smoking (delays healing by days/weeks), alcohol, vigorous exercise for 48 hours
- • Pain management: Ibuprofen/acetaminophen as prescribed, prescription pain meds if needed
- • Dry socket warning: If severe pain develops 3-4 days post-extraction, call dentist immediately
6. Dental Implants
The gold standard for tooth replacement. Titanium posts surgically placed in jawbone serve as artificial tooth roots. Success rate exceeds 95% over 10 years.
The Implant Process (3-6 Months Total)
Stage 1: Implant Placement
- • Surgical procedure under local anesthesia (sedation available)
- • Titanium post placed into jawbone
- • Healing cap or temporary crown may be placed
- • Duration: 1-2 hours per implant
Stage 2: Osseointegration (3-6 Months)
- • Bone grows around implant, fusing with it
- • Critical for implant stability
- • No appointments during this phase
- • Temporary tooth replacement options available
Stage 3: Abutment & Crown Placement
- • Abutment (connector piece) attached to implant
- • Custom crown fabricated and placed
- • Functions and looks like natural tooth
- • No special maintenance beyond normal brushing/flossing
Advantages
- • Permanent solution (can last lifetime)
- • Prevents bone loss in jaw
- • Doesn't affect adjacent teeth
- • Looks, feels, functions like natural tooth
- • 99% chewing efficiency of natural tooth
Cost & Considerations
- • Single implant: $3,000-$4,500
- • Insurance rarely covers (cosmetic)
- • Requires adequate bone (grafting may be needed)
- • Not ideal for smokers (failure rate 2x higher)
- • Requires good oral hygiene
Other Common Procedures
Dental Bridges
Replace missing teeth using adjacent teeth as anchors. Less expensive than implants ($700-$1,500 per tooth) but requires modifying healthy adjacent teeth. Lasts 5-15 years.
Dentures
Removable appliances replacing missing teeth. Partial dentures replace some teeth ($300-$5,000), complete dentures replace all teeth in arch ($600-$8,000). Require adjustment period and regular maintenance.
Teeth Whitening (Professional)
In-office whitening produces dramatic results in single visit ($300-$1,000). Custom take-home trays provide gradual whitening over 2-4 weeks ($200-$500). Results last 1-3 years with proper maintenance.
Scaling & Root Planing (Deep Cleaning)
Non-surgical treatment for gum disease. Removes plaque and tartar from below gumline and smooths root surfaces. Usually done in 2-4 quadrant visits. Cost: $200-$400 per quadrant. May be fully/partially covered by insurance.
Questions to Ask Before Any Procedure
- • Why is this procedure necessary? What happens if I wait?
- • What are my treatment options and their pros/cons?
- • What is the total cost and what will insurance cover?
- • How long will the procedure take and what is recovery like?
- • What are the risks and success rates?
- • What experience do you have with this procedure?
- • Are payment plans available?
Find Experienced Dental Professionals
Locate qualified dentists in your area who perform these procedures. Read reviews and compare credentials to make informed decisions about your dental care.
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Disclaimer: Treatment recommendations vary based on individual circumstances. Always consult with a licensed dentist for personalized diagnosis and treatment planning. Costs are estimates and vary by location, dentist experience, and case complexity.
Sources: American Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Journal of the American Dental Association.