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General Dentistry in Houston, TX

General Dentistry

Helping our patients maintain a healthy mouth and smile is the main goal of general dentistry. We prefer to provide more minor, preventive care than to see patients suffer with more intensive treatments from a problem that was not managed in time. We want to ensure that your oral health is in its optimal state and positively contributing to the health of your entire body. We are here to brighten your smile and pave the way for a brighter life.

Cleanings And Exams

A good oral care routine is your first line of defense against a wide range of dental concerns. But, you need to do more than brushing and flossing to prevent calcified plaque and tartar deposits from wreaking havoc on your mouth.
That’s where dental hygiene treatments come in. Dr. Celso Seretti, DDS, at Seretti Dental in Houston, Texas, uses decades of experience to secure your oral health with vital dental hygiene services.
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Laser Gum Treatment

Laser gum treatment is a dental procedure that treats moderate to severe gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, laser treatments are highly efficient and have shown similar results to traditional scaling and root planing procedures used to treat periodontal diseases.
Dr. Celso Seretti at Seretti Comprehensive Dentistry employs highly advanced dental lasers to ensure your treatment is comfortable and effective. Let’s see what a laser gum treatment entails.
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Teeth Whitening

A common request we receive is how to make a smile whiter and brighter. This is a relatively simple and quick treatment option that can be performed periodically. Certain foods and beverages, such as wine and coffee, stain the teeth and contribute to discoloration. The teeth whitening process provides a solution that lightens the shade of the teeth. Additionally, the process actually rids the teeth of plaque and tartar that tend to lead to dental problems.
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Fillings

The acidic substances discharged by the plaque and tartar in the mouth erode the tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. If left unattended, tooth decay may worsen and ultimately lead to cavities and root canal infection. Getting cavities treated at the earliest is the best way to keep them from becoming severe.
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Root Canals

Endodontic treatment is very important when the pulp and soft tissues inside your teeth are inflamed or infected. Root canal treatment (RCT) is one such type of treatment that is the last resort treatment method to save a severely infected tooth.
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Extractions

Do you have persistent pain in your tooth that won’t go away? Chances are it’s damaged or infected, and you may need a tooth extraction. As the name suggests, tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves the removal of a tooth.
Do you have persistent pain in your tooth that won’t go away? Chances are it’s damaged or infected, and you may need a tooth extraction. As the name suggests, tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves the removal of a tooth.
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How to Maintain Dental Hygiene at Home

Apart from visiting a dentist, you need to maintain dental hygiene practices at home. Here’s what you do:
  • Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day.
  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Minimize the consumption of sugary treats and beverages.
Opting for dental hygiene services twice every year helps keep dental complications away and your smile happy.

How Does Laser Gum Treatment Work?

Laser treatment involves the use of lasers of different wavelengths for various different procedures. For instance, lasers used in a teeth whitening process are different from that of periodontal treatment. Dr. Seretti and the staff are highly trained at using lasers of varying wavelengths effectively.

Typically, laser procedures are used to complement other traditional procedures. At Seretti Comprehensive Dentistry, our dentist will use a low-intensity laser to access the inflamed gum tissues and remove them completely. Next, they remove the plaque and tartar deposits around the gumline before using a dental tool to smooth out coarse spots on your teeth.

The smoothing process ensures your teeth and gums don’t attract bacteria that could further damage the tissues.

What Should You Do After the Treatment?

Once the laser treatment is done, your oral tissues take time to heal and regenerate. Your key objective then is to prevent your gums from getting infected so that they can firm up around your teeth.
Here are a few dos and don’ts after laser surgery:
  • Consume a liquid or a soft for the first week after surgery.
  • Don’t panic if you see your gum tissue is red, blue, purple, gray, or yellow in color.
  • Avoid spicy foods at all costs.
  • Brush, floss, and maintain good oral hygiene.
  • Avoid strenuous physical activities.
As a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and Academy of GP Orthodontists for over three decades, Dr. Seretti has is among the best dentists for complex dental procedures in Houston, Texas.

What is a Composite Filling?

A composite filling is widely used to restore a tooth affected by decay or cracks and is the best treatment for a cavity. The decayed part of the tooth is removed and filled with a composite filling. Composite resin material comprises multiple components, such as fine glass and plastic, and offers the finest alternative for traditional amalgam fillings.
They are customized to match the shade of your teeth, giving a natural look to them. Tooth-colored fillings are more aesthetically suited for the easily visible areas of the mouth, like front teeth. They are durable and last for 5 to 10 years, giving you a long-lasting and pleasing smile.

Factors Affecting the Longevity of a Composite Filling

Various factors that usually impact the lifespan of a composite filling include:
  • The location of the filling
  • The size of the filling
  • Your food habits
  • Your oral hygiene habits
  • Bruxism
Dental techniques used while placing your composite fillings

Benefits of Composite Fillings

Various reasons for making the switch from amalgam to composite resin fillings include:
  • Composite resin fillings are tooth-colored. They appear just like natural enamel and are aesthetically pleasing.
  • Composite fillings do not contract and expand like metal fillings, and hence the tooth in need of a filling and surrounding areas do not experience any damage.
  • The composite resin filling procedure can be done faster and is completed in just a few minutes. It helps save time for the patient and dentist as well.
  • After placing a composite filling, there are no restrictions for food consumption, and patients can eat anything they wish.
  • Composite resin fillings are completely free from mercury, which can otherwise result in numerous health problems.

How are Composite Fillings Placed?

The composite fillings procedure is fast and can be done in just one appointment with the dentist. The dentist first numbs the tooth and removes the decay from it. Next, the cavity is thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the new composite filling. The filling is then carefully placed at the prepared place, and further, the restoration is shaped and polished. This helps in restoring the tooth to its original shape and function.
Optimum oral hygiene and healthy eating habits of the patient will aid in the long life of composite fillings.

Understanding the Root Canal Cavity

It is the central cavity in our teeth that is filled with dental pulp. This pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. When the bacteria in the mouth enter the root canal cavity, it can cause a severe dental condition called root canal infection. An endodontist is specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp.
The symptoms of root canal infection include pain, swollen gums, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, tenderness or sore gums, difficulty in chewing, and discoloration of teeth.

What are the Causes of Root Canal Infection?

  • Plaque and tartar
Plaque and tartar adhered to the tooth surface can erode the enamel. If not treated at the right time, it can decay the tooth and infect the root canal cavity.
  • External trauma
Accidents or injuries can cause the teeth to chip, crack or even break. This makes microbes penetrate under the teeth and erode the pulp. Restorations like veneers, crowns, dental bonding, etc., can prevent the teeth from any such happenings, but if not, it can cause a root canal infection.
  • Gum Diseases
Periodontitis is one of the most severe gum diseases which can entirely ruin your oral health. It is caused due to poor oral hygiene and can damage the gums and jawbone. Microbes can gradually make their way to the tooth roots and cause an infection.

How is a Root Canal Infection Treated?

It is important to remove the infected tooth pulp to cure a root canal infection. During your first visit, your dentist will thoroughly examine the situation by taking scans and X-rays of the infected teeth. We will check if there are other possible treatments, but if not, you will be prepared for root canal therapy.
The procedure will begin with administering local anesthesia to numb the surrounding gums, jawbone, and teeth. Your dentist will make a small hole in the infected tooth and extract the dental pulp using dental instruments. We will then scrub the walls to clean any microbes adhered to the walls of the cavity. A water spray will be used to clear out the debris, and some amount of antibacterial medication will be put in to prevent reinfection. Next, a post and a crown will be used to restore and protect the treated tooth, which otherwise would be weak.
Follow-up consultations along with maintaining good oral hygiene are very important to prevent any reinfection. With proper care, your teeth will be able to function well.

When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Tooth extraction is a relatively straightforward process in which Dr. Seretti and the team will pull your tooth out from its socket. Typically, the procedure is used as a last resort by when dentists can’t salvage your tooth. Here are scenarios when tooth extraction is necessary:
  • Gum disease
  • Tooth decay
  • Damage to the teeth
  • Wisdom teeth removal
  • Preparation for dental prosthetics

Types of Tooth Extraction

There are two forms of tooth extractions offered by Dr.Seretti:
Simple Extraction: In this process, Dr.Seretti will remove a visible tooth on the surface. You will be given an anesthetic to minimize pain and sensation during the process.
Surgical Extraction: A surgical extraction involves removing a tooth that is broken off or damaged. During the procedure, Dr. Seretti will give you an anesthetic and a small incision to gain access to the tooth to remove it.

Recovering from Tooth Extraction

You may take a few weeks to recover from a tooth extraction process completely. During the process, you must follow the dentist’s instructions to heal better and faster. Here are a few dos and don’ts to aid recovery.
  • Use an icepack on the tooth to minimize swelling around the jaw.
  • Don’t perform strenuous physical activity on the day of the extraction.
  • Consume soft foods like yogurt and pudding.
  • Avoid brushing or flossing rigorously, and avoid the extraction site altogether.
  • Rest for the first 24 hours after an extraction.
  • Don’t attempt to bite or chew hard foods.
Tooth extraction is a quick and effective process to relieve pain and discomfort caused by a damaged or decayed teeth. Get in touch with our staff at Seretti Comprehensive Dentistry to learn about the process.