What Can a Dentist Do for You?

A dentist can do far more than clean teeth and fill cavities. A general dentist can find problems before they hurt, treat gum infection, screen for oral cancer, relieve jaw pain and protect teeth from grinding, repair chipped and broken teeth, straighten crooked teeth, replace missing ones, improve how your smile looks, help nervous patients relax and handle dental emergencies. Many patients are surprised by how much of that can happen in one office.

This article answers the “can a dentist…?” questions people ask most, with examples from the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS, along with a few things a dentist can’t do for you.

Can a dentist find problems before they hurt?

Yes, and that is one of the most valuable things a dentist does. Early decay, gum pockets and small cracks often cause no pain at first. At a checkup, Dr. Haywood evaluates your teeth, gums and bite, using tools that see what the eye can’t:

• Digital X-rays appear on screen right away and use as much as 90 percent less exposure than film.
• Intraoral cameras zoom in on each section of your mouth, so you can see what the dentist sees.
• DIAGNOdent is a laser that can detect small amounts of decay at the earliest stages, sometimes before it shows on an X-ray.

A cavity caught early usually needs only a small, tooth-colored filling. See dental technology at the practice.

Can a dentist treat gum disease?

Yes. Bleeding or receding gums, bad breath and deep pockets in the gums mean infection. The practice’s experienced hygienists take the lead in identifying, treating and monitoring gum disease, and Dr. Haywood develops an individual treatment plan with you. Oral DNA testing identifies which periodontal bacteria are present, and treatment can include scaling and root planing, site-specific antibiotics and laser therapy. Ninety-eight percent of the practice’s periodontal therapy is non-surgical. See gum disease treatment.

Can a dentist check for oral cancer?

Yes. An oral cancer screening is part of your regular checkup. It is quick and pain-free and checks the soft tissues of your mouth, throat and tongue. The office uses ViziLite, which helps make abnormal cells easier to see, and non-surgical techniques such as t-blue staining and Oral CDX cellular analysis are available in the office if an area needs a closer look. The practice recommends a screening every year for all patients over eighteen. See oral cancer screening.

Can a dentist help with jaw pain, headaches and grinding?

Often, yes. Jaw tenderness, chronic facial pain and frequent head or neck aches can point to a TMJ disorder. Dr. Haywood starts with a full evaluation, which may include bite analysis, sleep analysis and CT imaging of the joint, before recommending care such as splints or occlusal appliances. Grinding and clenching wear enamel and crack teeth, and comfortable, clear bite guards custom-made for you help protect them. See TMJ treatment and can a bad bite cause headaches?

Can a dentist fix a chipped, cracked or broken tooth?

In most cases, yes, and the most conservative repair that will work comes first.

• Bonding repairs chips with tooth-colored composite resin, usually in a single visit.
• Inlays and onlays restore a tooth with partial damage while keeping more healthy tooth structure than a crown.
• Porcelain crowns protect a tooth that is extensively damaged or cracked.
• Root canal therapy saves a tooth when infection reaches the pulp inside, finished with a porcelain crown.

Many cracked teeth can be saved, though a tooth split along its root cannot. See restorative dentistry.

Can a dentist straighten teeth?

A general dentist can. Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider and offers Invisalign clear aligners, Invisalign Teen and metal braces. For adults who mainly want a straighter-looking smile, instant orthodontics uses veneers, bonding, crowns, and tooth and gum reshaping to transform crooked or gapped teeth in as little as one or two visits. See orthodontics.

Can a dentist replace missing teeth?

Yes. Dr. Haywood places and restores dental implants right in the office, planned from a CBCT 3D scan. Options range from a single implant to implant bridges, snap-on implant teeth and fixed full-arch teeth. Bridges and custom dentures are also available. See your options for replacing missing teeth.

Can a dentist make your smile look better?

Yes. Cosmetic options include porcelain and prepless veneers, laser teeth whitening, bonding, gum lifts and smile makeovers. A before-and-after demonstration on the cosmetic imaging computer is part of every cosmetic evaluation, so you can see planned changes before you commit. Dr. Haywood is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. See cosmetic dentistry.

Can a dentist help if you are afraid of the dentist?

Absolutely. Tell the team, because understanding your fears helps plan how to overcome them. The office is spa-like, with paraffin wax hand treatments and aromatherapy. Laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service and leaves you alert enough to drive yourself home. Oral conscious sedation is a pill taken about an hour before your visit. See sedation dentistry.

Can a dentist choose materials that suit your body?

A holistic dentist does. The practice never uses amalgam fillings, avoids nickel and bisphenol plastics, and restores teeth with non-toxic, metal-free and biocompatible materials. Old amalgam fillings are removed under rigorous safety protocols designed to minimize exposure to mercury vapor. See holistic dentistry.

Can a dentist see you in an emergency?

Yes. Common dental emergencies include an abscess, a cracked tooth or filling, a knocked-out tooth and a locked jaw. Dr. Haywood is available anytime for true dental emergencies for existing patients and their friends and families, and new patients with emergency needs are seen on weekdays during normal business hours, based on availability. Call early in the day. See emergency dental care.

What a dentist can’t do for you

• Replace your daily home care. Brushing and cleaning between your teeth every day still do most of the work between visits. Read smart brushing beats aggressive brushing.
• Cure gum infection forever. Gum infection can be managed and controlled, but it is never completely cured, which is why maintenance visits matter.
• Stand in for your physician. Gum health has been linked to conditions such as diabetes and cardiac disease, and your dentist may suggest you talk with your doctor, but a dentist doesn’t diagnose or manage those conditions.
• Quote an exact fee without seeing you. Every mouth is different, so an honest fee comes after an exam.

Paying for your care

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. Health savings and flex plans are welcome, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

Can a dentist prescribe antibiotics?

Yes, when they are needed for dental care. For example, antibiotics can slow the spread of a dental abscess, although the tooth still needs treatment, and site-specific antibiotics can be part of gum disease treatment.

Can a dentist see a child without a parent?

Not at this practice. A parent or legal guardian must be present during the consultation of a patient under the age of 18.

Can a dentist tell if you smoke or vape?

Often there are signs, such as staining or changes in the gums, and smoking is one of the risk factors for oral cancer. Be open about it so your care fits your needs. Read how smoking and vaping affect your teeth and gums.

What is the difference between a general dentist and a specialist?

Specialists focus on one recognized area, such as orthodontics or periodontics. A general dentist provides a broad range of care. Read what are the 12 dental specialties?

See what a dentist can do for you in Timonium

Start with a checkup and a conversation about what you would like for your teeth. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, and patients come from Timonium, Towson, Hunt Valley and Baltimore. Learn more about general dentistry in Timonium.