Dr. Chavala Harris provides general dentistry at her Durham, NC, dental office to help you maintain your natural smile. She treats patients of all ages at Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. General dentistry is a common dental service that can help prevent further dental problems.
Our general dentistry services focus on disease prevention so you can enjoy a healthy smile. No matter your dental care needs, Dr. Harris and her team will help you get the best treatment for you and your family.
Why Choose Dr. Harris for General Dentistry?
Dr. Harris provides personalized general dental care for patients of all ages. She practices “Whole Patient Care,” which means she considers your overall health, medical history, and goals before recommending treatment.
Advanced Training in Complex Care
Dr. Harris completed a two-year General Practice Residency at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center/Atrium Health in Winston-Salem. During her residency, she treated adult and pediatric cancer patients, patients with AIDS/HIV, and other severely medically compromised patients. She worked alongside oncologists and medical specialists to keep patients safe during dental treatment.
That experience shapes how she practices general dentistry today. Whether you need a routine cleaning or treatment for a complex health history, she knows how to provide safe, effective care.
A Commitment to Staying Current
Dr. Harris completes continuing education courses monthly. This keeps her current with the latest techniques, materials, and technology in general dentistry. She’s an active member of the American Dental Association and the North Carolina Dental Society. She’s also been featured on “Ask the Dentist” segments and radio stations discussing children’s dental health.
A Comfortable, Welcoming Environment
Visiting the dentist can feel stressful. Our office is a safe environment for patients of all ages. Dr. Harris and her team take time to explain everything and can accommodate dental anxiety. One patient shared: “I hate the dentist but these folks make visiting them tolerable.”
Advanced Dental Technology for General Care
We use modern technology to make your general dental visits more comfortable, accurate, and efficient:
- Digital X-rays. These produce 80% less radiation than traditional X-rays and give us detailed images to catch cavities, bone loss, and other concerns early.
- Intraoral cameras. These let you see exactly what we see on a screen, so you understand your oral health and make informed decisions.
- Digital impressions. We replace messy putty with a comfortable scanner for crowns, bridges, and other restorations.
Our General Dentistry Services in Durham, NC
Custom-Made Sports Mouthguards
If you or your child plays contact sports, you must wear a sports mouthguard to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injury. Because our sports mouthguards offer a custom fit, patients do not need to clench their jaws to keep their mouthguards in place.
Over-the-counter mouthguards do not fit the teeth properly and can fall out easily. To learn more about how a custom mouthguard can better protect your smile, see Custom Sports Mouthguards.
Emergency Dentistry
If you have just lost a tooth or broken a dental restoration, contact our office for same-day emergency care. Emergency dental care helps prevent further oral health complications. To learn more about what to do in a dental emergency and how we can help, see Emergency Dentistry.
Family Dentistry
Are you looking for a dentist who can treat every family member under one roof? Dr. Harris is a Durham family dentist who works with patients to identify the best treatments for their dental needs. She helps teach parents and children the best treatment methods for teeth and gums.
She also makes scheduling easy by letting you book your family’s appointments at the same time or back-to-back. To learn more about our family dentistry services, see Family Dentistry.
Tooth Extraction
Sometimes we need to remove a severely infected, or impacted tooth to protect your remaining teeth and gums. We make sure that tooth extraction treatments are comfortable for our patients. To learn more about the tooth extraction process, see Tooth Extraction.
Patient Review
General Dentistry FAQs
Do you have further questions about our general dentistry services? Continue reading to learn more about general dental treatments and find answers to commonly asked questions in our office.
What does general dentistry include?
General dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral diseases and conditions. It includes a variety of procedures, including dental cleanings, fillings, and extractions.
Why is preventative dental care important?
Preventative care is the foundation of good oral health. It stops serious dental problems before they start. At home, brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Regular dental visits let us clean hard-to-reach areas and catch problems like gum disease and oral cancer early, when they’re easiest and least expensive to treat.
How is my diet linked to my oral health?
What you eat directly affects your teeth and gums. Sugar attracts bacteria that produce acid, which wears away enamel and causes cavities. Starches break down into sugars too, so limit salty snacks. Fibrous fruits and vegetables help by increasing saliva, which washes away bacteria and neutralizes acids.
Why do I only have one tooth that hurts?
You may have a toothache because you have an infection, a hairline fracture, a cavity, or trauma. Call our office and we’ll perform a visual exam and take an X-ray to determine the cause.
When should I replace my sports mouthguard?
If you notice a change in your mouthguard’s fit, or if your child is losing baby teeth, you may need a new mouthguard. We often recommend replacing sports mouthguards every season. You’ll also need a new sports mouthguard whenever your child’s bite changes.
Do I need to have my dentist extract my wisdom teeth?
Not every patient needs their wisdom teeth removed. Our team uses X-rays to monitor your wisdom teeth. If your teeth seem to be damaging your molars, we will schedule an extraction. We may sometimes recommend removing these teeth if Wisdom teeth can become impacted and cause tooth pain and sensitivity.
Can a general dentist perform a root canal?
Yes, many general dentists are trained to diagnose infected or damaged teeth and provide root canal treatment in their office. They use special tools to remove the infected tissue, clean the inside of the tooth, and seal it to prevent future problems. If you have a complicated case, we may refer you to an endodontist.
Contact Our Durham Dental Office
Get general dental care in our Durham, North Carolina, dental office. Schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Chavala Harris online. You can also call Oak Grove Family & Cosmetic Dentistry at 919-899-4467.
Let our dental team know if you have any remaining questions or concerns, and they’ll be happy to help you. We’re proud to serve patients from Trinity Park, Hope Valley, and Archer Woods.