Who do you see for the general upkeep of your smile? The first person that comes to mind is likely a general dentist. General dentists are the first line of defense for preventing and treating oral health issues. Our Lake Oswego general dentist, Dr. Larry Bowden provides general dentistry services to patients of all ages.
General dentistry focuses on preventing and treating a wide variety of oral diseases in patients of all ages. As the primary caregiver, your general dentist will help you and your family preserve your oral and overall health.
General dentists are there to help maintain the health of your smile and prescribe personalized treatment. They’re also experts in the function of the jaw and the airways, making them the professionals you want to see about chronic problems like TMJ issues, snoring, and sleep apnea.
Routine dental cleanings and exams are the foundation of general dentistry, allowing your dentist to determine the state of your oral health and improve your smile. Dr. Bowden will provide an in-depth examination of your mouth, throat, and other areas of your face and jaw. Once he understands the state of your oral health, he’ll prescribe personalized treatment as necessary.
During your cleaning, our hygienist will use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from areas where a toothbrush can’t easily reach. Once these bacteria-laden substances are gone, you’ll be less susceptible to oral health issues such as periodontal disease. From there, they’ll polish and floss every tooth, ensuring your smile is clean and greatly improving your smile.
Oral cancer screenings are a preventive measure that allows your general dentist to identify potentially cancerous cells. From there, they can have the cells studied by a specialist as soon as possible, increasing the effectiveness of treatment.
We use the VELscope® system, a cancer screening system that utilizes fluorescence visualization. The specially designed light makes abnormal tissues appear darker than the rest of the mouth. These tissues provide the samples that will allow our general dentist to determine the chances of oral cancer.
Snoring and sleep apnea are chronic conditions ranging from annoying to debilitating. As a knowledgeable professional on the issues of the mouth and throat, Dr. Bowden can identify the signs. Once you’ve received an accurate diagnosis, he’ll prescribe effective treatments.
Many patients who suffer from snoring or sleep apnea will see a reduction in symptoms through oral appliance therapy like the Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP). We also provide NightLase® laser treatment, which can help tighten loose tissue that may worsen snoring and sleep apnea symptoms.
TMD/TMJ treatment can help alleviate pain and discomfort caused by temporomandibular joint disorders. These disorders are caused by dislocation or inflammation of the temporomandibular joints, which connect your jaw to your skull and allow it to move. Dr. Bowden will utilize neuromuscular dentistry to help address the root of the issue. This will help ensure your symptoms are relieved quickly and won’t return.
General dentistry emphasizes prevention, so it’s likely your provider will cover at least some of the costs. We strongly encourage you to contact your insurance provider beforehand to ask them about your coverage. Your general dentistry office can also assist patients who need help affording their treatment by providing financing options, including third-party financing through CareCredit.
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the aesthetics of your smile. This often involves purely cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers, although some cosmetic dentistry services have restorative benefits. General dentistry focuses on improving the oral health of patients of all ages by treating and preventing oral health issues.
Yes! General dentists are also known as family dentists and they’re here to serve patients of all ages. Your local general dentist will work with your child as they grow, teaching them to care for their smile and pay close attention to the development of their teeth and jaw.
Bringing your child to see a general dentist as soon as they develop teeth can help them achieve and maintain a quality smile well into their adult years.
You should see your general dentist at least once every six months for routine cleanings and exams. Keeping up a routine of bi-yearly dental exams can help your dentist catch any problems early on and potentially prevent the need for more invasive or costly procedures down the line. Depending on the current state of your dental health, your dentist may recommend you see them more often.
General dentist Dr. Bowden and our dental team pride themselves on keeping smiles healthy and strong throughout the year. That’s why Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego provides general dentistry services to patients from Lake Oswego and surrounding areas such as Portland, Tualatin, Wilsonville, Beaverton, Tigard, and Sherwood, OR.
If you’re looking for a skilled general dentist near you, then contact our Lake Oswego dental office by dialing (503) 675-7300. You can also request an appointment by clicking the ‘appointment request’ button toward the bottom of the page. One of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly.
