General Dentistry | Prairie Dental

GENERAL DENTISTRY – Complete Care for Every Smile

From routine cleanings to advanced treatments, our general dentistry services are designed to keep your smile healthy, strong and confident—for life.

Checkups >

CHECKUPS

The keys to maintaining a healthy smile are a proper oral hygiene routine at home and keeping up with your routine exams. These visits play an important role in your dental health, self-confidence and your overall well-being.

Checkups

Dental checkups are an important part of your overall health and wellness plan. The American Dental Association recommends routine exams and cleanings every six months. If you have ongoing dental issues, more frequent visits may be recommended.

Regular dental exams are essential to maintain a healthy smile and catch any problems early. Your dentist will check for cavities, gum disease and signs of oral cancer, often before symptoms appear. Routine visits help prevent costly procedures down the road and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Prairie Dental focuses on customized treatment plans for every patient, so no two exams will be the same. But there are a few things you can expect at your dental checkup:

We will do a quick review of your medical history to find out more about any current or past health issues, medications, diet and find out if you have any new concerns since your last visit.
You will be asked if you have any questions about your teeth, mouth, gums and your overall dental health. Please bring up any concerns you have and tell us about any issues.
Next, we will conduct an oral exam that includes a visual check of gum tissue and a visual oral cancer scan. If needed, you will also have digital dental x-rays at this time. This helps to check for any hidden issues below the gum line.
Before the end of the appointment, we will review your comprehensive treatment plan to ensure your teeth and gums remain healthy. We will discuss any follow-up appointments you may need and go over any advice we have for at-home care.

CLEANINGS – Prevention protects your smile

Twice-a-year cleanings will help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Proper brushing and flossing are vital to the health of your teeth. However, plaque can build up quickly and eventually turn into tartar, which is impossible to remove on your own. During your dental cleaning, your hygienist uses special tools to safely and effectively remove the tartar from the surface of your teeth and below the gum line.

Cleanings

An important part of prevention is addressing periodontal disease. During your exam and cleaning, we will check for signs of gum or periodontal disease. In its early stages periodontal disease may be reversed with flossing, brushing and professional cleanings, which can help prevent the disease from progressing. In more advanced cases, we may recommend a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing.

Patients who undergo deep teeth cleaning may be recommended to receive dental cleanings more frequently.

Prevention is a huge part of what we do at Prairie Dental. When you visit us, Dr. Welding will provide you with a treatment plan that is customized for the exact care you need.

With proper home care and regular cleanings and exams from your Prairie Village dentist, you can avoid painful dental conditions in the future. Take steps to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong both now and into the future.

Has it been a while since your last dental exam and cleaning? We understand. Many patients experience dental anxiety and simply avoid going. This is a mistake! If a visit of the dentist makes you nervous, we offer safe and effective sedation options to help you relax and feel comfortable during your treatment.

FILLINGS
Cavities are one of the most common dental problems and one of the easiest to treat. At Prairie Dental we offer dental fillings to restore the health, strength and appearance of your teeth and smile. Whether you have a new cavity or need to replace an old filling, we’re here to help you smile with confidence.

Fillings

You may need a filling if you experience:

Toothache or pain when biting or chewing
Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
A visible hole or dark spot on a tooth
A lost or broken existing filling

Left untreated, tooth decay can spread deeper into the tooth, causing pain, infection and even tooth loss. A filling stops this process, preserving your natural tooth and helping you avoid more complex procedures down the road.

Prairie Dental offers several types of filling materials:

Composite Resin (tooth-colored fillings): Matches the natural color of your teeth and is ideal for visible areas. Bonds directly to the tooth for added strength.
Porcelain/Ceramic Fillings: Highly aesthetic and stain-resistant. Typically used for larger restorations or inlays/onlays.

Your dentist will help you choose the best type of filling based on your tooth’s location, the size of the cavity, your personal preferences and budget.

A filling is a quick and comfortable procedure:

We’ll numb the area to keep you comfortable. There are multiple sedation options to make the treatment more comfortable and reduce anxiety.
The decayed portion of the tooth is gently removed, and the tooth is cleaned.
The filling material is placed, shaped and hardened.

Fillings typically take less than an hour, and you’ll leave our office able to eat, speak and smile with confidence.

GUM DISEASE

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects the gums and bone supporting your teeth. Plaque buildup from poor brushing and flossing can cause red, swollen, bleeding gums—a condition called gingivitis. If untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, leading to gum recession, bone damage, and tooth loss.

Though common, gum disease is preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits. Smoking, certain health conditions, and genetics can increase your risk. At Prairie Dental, we screen for gum disease at every exam and offer early or advanced treatments to keep your smile healthy.

Gum Disease

Deep teeth cleanings normally do not cause much discomfort; however a local anesthetic will be used to numb the gums, and there are several sedation options to make the treatment more comfortable and relieve anxiety. After the cleaning, you may notice your gums are more tender than usual, and some slight bleeding may occur, which is normal and should stop quickly. For the first several days your teeth may be extra sensitive to hot and cold, but that will pass over time.

After your deep cleaning, the Prairie Dental team may recommend more frequent cleanings or exams.

EXTRACTIONS

At Prairie Dental, our goal is to help patients to keep all of their natural teeth; however, there are times when extractions are necessary. Removing a tooth can help stop infection, periodontal disease and pain.

Don’t worry … you don't have to go without a tooth after an extraction. Prairie Dental offers several restorative options including dentures, implants and dental bridges to preserve a healthy smile.

Extractions

Dental extractions are the removal of unhealthy teeth or teeth that can no longer be supported by the jawbones due to severe periodontal disease (gum disease).

In addition to relieving pain, other reasons why extractions might be recommended are:

An infected tooth
To prevent an infection from spreading
For certain cosmetic procedures
For orthodontic treatment
Crowding of the teeth, especially wisdom teeth.

The idea of having a tooth pulled can cause fear and anxiety in even the bravest patient. Our goal is to help reduce your anxiety and minimize any pain or discomfort. Prairie Dental is committed to making sure you're relaxed and comfortable throughout your procedure. To accomplish that, we continually monitor your comfort and safety during the entire procedure.

A local anesthetic ensures you're completely numb before the extraction, and we offer sedation options to relax you before, during and after the appointment.

Wisdom Teeth

WISDOM TEETH

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to appear – usually in your late teens or early twenties – and for many people, they can cause pain and lead to more serious issues, like infections. Prairie Dental offers safe, comfortable wisdom tooth extractions to protect the health of your smile and prevent future problems.

In many people, wisdom teeth become impacted – meaning they don’t have enough room to erupt fully, or they grow in at an angle. This can lead to a variety of issues, including:

Pain or pressure in the back of the mouth
Crowding or shifting of the teeth and bite
Swollen or bleeding gums
Infection or gum disease
Damage to neighboring teeth
Cavities or other complications

Even if your wisdom teeth haven’t come to the surface and aren’t causing pain now, we may recommend removing them to avoid future problems.

Dental images are critical to develop a customized treatment plan. X-rays show the exact position of your wisdom teeth – even the ones still under the gums. This allows Dr. Welding to plan a more comfortable and precise extraction and avoid future complications or problems.

You’ll be fully numb during the procedure and may be offered additional sedation to reduce anxiety, maximize comfort and minimize any pain. After your extraction, some soreness, bleeding and swelling is normal, but manageable with rest and medication.

We recommend eating soft foods, avoiding straws and plenty of rest while healing. Prairie Dental will provide detailed aftercare instructions and check in to make sure you’re healing comfortably. Most patients feel back to normal within three to five days.

Whether you're experiencing discomfort or planning ahead, Prairie Dental is here to make your wisdom tooth removal as smooth and stress-free as possible.

SEDATION

If dental visits make you feel anxious, nervous or fearful, you’re not alone. In fact, some patients avoid their regular appointments due to dental anxiety.

At Prairie Dental we’re pleased to offer sedation dentistry to help you feel calm, comfortable and relaxed during your appointment – whether you’re having a routine cleaning or a more complex procedure.

Sedation

We tailor your sedation to your needs and comfort level and have several options available:

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas): A mild sedative inhaled through a mask. You’ll feel calm and relaxed during treatment, and it wears off quickly so you can drive yourself home.

Oral Sedation: A prescribed pill taken before your appointment to help you feel drowsy and at ease. We will attach monitors to make sure your safety is a priority. We can administer further medication when you arrive. You’ll remain awake but deeply relaxed. It requires a driver to take you home.

IV Sedation: For deeper sedation, medication is administered intravenously. This option is often used for longer or more involved procedures and requires a driver to take you home.

Yes. Sedation dentistry is very safe when administered by the trained professionals at Prairie Dental. We carefully review your medical history, monitor you throughout the procedure and ensure you’re comfortable every step of the way.

Whether you’ve been avoiding the dentist due to fear or you just want a more comfortable visit, sedation dentistry can help you get the care you need without the stress and anxiety.

We tailor your sedation to your needs and comfort level and have several options available:

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas): A mild sedative inhaled through a mask. You’ll feel calm and relaxed during treatment, and it wears off quickly so you can drive yourself home.

Oral Sedation: A prescribed pill taken before your appointment to help you feel drowsy and at ease. We will attach monitors to make sure your safety is a priority. We can administer further medication when you arrive. You’ll remain awake but deeply relaxed. It requires a driver to take you home.

IV Sedation: For deeper sedation, medication is administered intravenously. This option is often used for longer or more involved procedures and requires a driver to take you home.

Whether you’ve been avoiding the dentist due to fear or you just want a more comfortable visit, sedation dentistry can help you get the care you need without the stress and anxiety.

SEALANTS

Proper brushing is the first line of defense against cavities, but even with a good oral hygiene routine, tooth decay can still occur. Your molars can be particularly prone to cavities because the chewing surface can trap food and bacteria. At Prairie Dental, we take every precaution to protect your teeth, including dental sealants.

Sealants

Dental sealants provide an additional layer of protection for your teeth to help prevent bacteria from forming and causing tooth decay.

Sealants are dried layers of liquid plastic that harden on the chewing surface of the teeth. Most frequently applied to the molars, the sealant is dried using a special light and fills in any deep grooves to protect your teeth.

Dental sealants are one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent cavities and protect your teeth.

Sealants offer another layer of protection for the chewing surface of your teeth. Although they are typically used in children, adults can also benefit from dental sealants. Patients of any age are at risk for developing tooth decay and cavities.

Sealants help to decrease the occurrence of cavities because they prevent plaque and food from gathering in the depressions of the tooth's natural surface. Dental sealants are an excellent form of preventive maintenance for your teeth and can help you avoid many costly and complex dental procedures in the future.

Sealants can last for many years, and they are a quick and easy treatment that can be completed during an office visit. Although they may last up to ten years or longer, they are the most effective during the first two years following the application. Dr. Welding may recommend reapplying sealants more frequently if they seem to be wearing down quickly due to certain foods, beverages or teeth grinding.

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Patient Information

Why are dental checkups important?

Do dental checkups help prevent cavities, plaque and tartar?

What should I expect during a dental checkup?

CLEANINGS – Prevention protects your smile

Why is prevention so important?

What if I need a deeper cleaning?

What should I expect when I get home?

Can appointments today prevent problems tomorrow?

What are dental fillings?

Do I need a filling?

What are fillings made of?

What to expect during a filling appointment?

GUM DISEASE

Do I need a deep cleaning?

Will a deep teeth cleaning hurt?

EXTRACTIONS

Do I need to have my tooth pulled?

Will my tooth extraction hurt?

WISDOM TEETH

What are wisdom teeth?

Do I need to have my wisdom teeth removed?

When should I have my wisdom teeth pulled?

Is wisdom tooth removal painful?

SEDATION

What Is sedation dentistry?

What types of sedation are available?

Is sedation dentistry safe?

What Is sedation dentistry?

What types of sedation are available?

Is sedation dentistry safe?

SEALANTS

What are dental sealants?

How do dental sealants prevent cavities?

How long do dental sealants last?