At Longview Family Dental, we want to do everything possible to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. The primary way in which we do this is through regular dental hygiene appointments, checkups, and preventative programs twice per year. We are proud to offer a wide range of dental services, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic care, to meet the diverse needs of our patients. Our preventive program is a cooperative effort between the patient, dentist, and dental staff. General dentistry is one of the comprehensive dental services we provide to Longview, TX.
Our office combines simple preventative measures to keep the onset, progress, and recurrence of dental diseases and conditions at bay. General dental care is part of these measures. We want to preserve the teeth’s natural dentition and supporting structures for a lifelong, healthy, beautiful smile.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry focuses on prevention and maintenance to keep your teeth and gums healthy. When you come in bi-yearly, one of our dental hygienists will thoroughly clean your teeth. While daily tooth brushing and flossing are essential, cleanings will remove any hard-to-reach plaque, tartar, or tooth decay. Bacteria in the mouth can eventually cause dental diseases such as decay and gingivitis.
Our dentist will perform a dental exam to ensure your teeth are in top shape and you are not developing any other oral health issues. We also take routine X-rays, which our dental care team uses to spot problems that may not be visible during your surface exam. X-rays help us become familiar with the structure of your mouth.
Screenings are also a part of routine care. We provide screenings for gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer. These common dental issues can easily degrade your natural bone and gum tissue. For this reason, we recommend that you visit our dental office every six months.
Our General Dental Services in Longview, TX
We help patients maintain their oral health with general dentistry. Longview Family Dental offers these comprehensive general dental services:
Family Dentistry
Our family-friendly dental office provides dental services for all ages. Family dental care includes early dental care for children and restorative care for aging smiles. We help all patients maintain their dental health with routine care and treatment tailored to their dental concerns.
Emergency Dentistry
Call our office if you have an urgent dental problem. We provide emergency dentistry services that can treat problems like knocked-out teeth, chipped or fractured teeth, or a severe toothache. When you get emergency dental care, it may prevent the need for more complex care down the line.
Dental Fillings
Fillings can repair cavities or cracked and broken teeth. The composite resins that create a dental filling help mimic your tooth’s natural appearance. Unlike traditional metal fillings, white fillings do not trigger tooth sensitivity. They also easily blend in with your natural tooth color.
Root Canal
One of the most common rehabilitative dental procedures is a root canal. Root canals eliminate infection in a specific tooth by removing the tooth pulp. Once a dental infection enters the tooth, it affects the blood vessels and nerves within the tooth chamber, also known as the pulp.
After we remove the infected pulp inside the tooth, we fill the tooth. We will also cap the tooth with a dental crown to provide a lasting result. Root canal treatment in our Longview, TX office helps us preserve your natural tooth and bite.
Tooth Extractions
Although a tooth extraction is a treatment of last resort, it may be necessary if you have a toothache, chronic pain, or infection. Wisdom tooth extraction is also common. You may need your wisdom teeth removed if you do not have enough room for these teeth to grow. We provide comfortable tooth removal with anesthesia or sedation as needed.
Dental Sedation
We use sedation dentistry to help reduce your anxiety during lengthy or complex treatments. Sedation is also a valuable tool for patients with dental fear or anxiety. Under sedation, you will feel calm and relaxed but will not feel pain. We will recommend the best type of sedation for you based on your allergies, medical conditions, age, and current medications.
Pediatric Dentistry
Because we are a family dentist office, we provide dental treatment for the whole family, which includes dental care for children. Pediatric dentistry services can include sealants, fluoride treatment, and regular dental cleanings. Early dental visits are essential to your child’s oral development. We also understand younger patients can feel anxious visiting the dentist, so we will provide gentle and friendly care.
Laser Dentistry
Laser Dentistry is an essential part of modern dentistry. They offer more comfortable care than surgical tools. Lasers use light and heat to gently cut tissue without affecting the surrounding teeth and gums. Because lasers use heat, they do not require sutures and help minimize post-treatment bleeding. With lasers, we can gently contour the gum tissue or remove infected tissue to treat gum disease.
Custom Mouthguard
If you or your child play contact sports, you need a mouthguard. Our custom sports mouthguards can prevent damage to teeth, gums, and braces. Compared to store-bought mouthguards, our custom-made mouthguards offer a proper fit to protect your mouth fully.
When you wear a custom athletic mouthguard, you protect yourself from multiple potential dental problems. These problems can include loose or knocked-out teeth, tooth fractures, or injuries to your mouth’s soft tissues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my child needs dental sealants?
If your child’s molars have deep grooves or pits, food and bacteria can easily get trapped, increasing the risk of cavities. We often recommend sealants for children with a history of tooth decay or if their oral hygiene is still developing. A dentist will examine their teeth during a checkup and let you know if sealants are a good preventive option. Sealants are most effective when placed shortly after permanent molars come in.
What steps can I take at home to prevent plaque buildup between visits?
Brush your teeth twice a day for two full minutes with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque between teeth. Avoid snacking frequently on sugary or starchy foods, and rinse with water if you can’t brush right after eating. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every three months. Consider adding a fluoride or antibacterial mouthwash to help reduce buildup even further.
Can you be sedated for a routine cleaning if you have severe dental anxiety?
Yes, sedation can be used during routine cleanings for patients with high anxiety or dental phobia. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is commonly used and wears off quickly, while oral sedation provides deeper relaxation but may require someone to drive you home. We will review your health history to determine what’s safe and appropriate. Sedation helps many anxious patients get the care they need without stress.
Are white dental fillings strong enough for back teeth?
Modern composite (white) fillings have excellent strength for most back tooth repairs, especially small to medium-sized cavities. They bond directly to tooth structure, actually reinforcing the remaining tooth, unlike traditional amalgam, which just fills space. Certain situations still benefit from stronger materials like porcelain or gold when fillings are very large or you have heavy grinding habits. Most patients successfully maintain composite fillings in molars for 7-10 years with proper care.
When is a dental filling recommended instead of a crown?
Fillings are used when the tooth has a small area of decay or damage that doesn’t weaken the overall structure. Crowns are necessary to protect the tooth fully when there’s significant decay or cracks, or after root canal treatment. If too much of the natural tooth is gone, a filling won’t be strong enough. Your dentist will decide based on the extent of the damage.
Can children receive fluoride treatments during regular checkups?
Yes, fluoride treatments are safe and commonly given to children during routine dental visits. They help strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities, especially in kids still developing good brushing habits. The treatment is quick and painless, often applied as a gel or varnish. Regular fluoride exposure is an important part of preventive pediatric dental care.
How long does it typically take to heal after a tooth extraction?
Most patients recover from a tooth extraction within 1 to 2 weeks. The initial swelling and discomfort usually ease within the first few days. You’ll need to follow specific aftercare instructions to avoid complications like dry socket. Full bone healing under the gums can take a few months, especially if you plan a dental implant afterward.
Contact Our Office
Our practice is family-friendly, and our dentist would love to become your go-to provider, no matter where you are in your oral health journey. Call Longview Family Dental for general dentistry services in Longview, TX, at 903-759-0765. You can also schedule an appointment with us online.
We serve Longview and the surrounding communities, including Hallsville, Lakeport, Easton, Lake Cherokee, Danville, Tatum, Stewart, and Kilgore. We also serve Laird Hill, Liberty City, White Oak, Warren City, Glade Water, Shiloh, Union Grove, East Mountain, and Judson.
Our dentists bring years of top-notch experience and a passion for helping and getting to know others, which is one of the main reasons we are so beloved in our community. Let’s work together to keep your mouth healthy and give you a smile that you are proud of!