Dr. Deepika Verma is a dental professional who provides her patients with a high degree of service. Through her skills, honed by her education and experience, she helps patients obtain an optimal level of oral health. Dr. Verma achieves this through continually improving her practice with professional development and the integration of new technology.

In 2001 Dr. Deepika Verma graduated from Rajiv Gandhi University. She earned a bachelor of dental surgery and followed this milestone with a residency at Maulana Azad Medical College and Hospital. During her residency, Dr. Verma practiced general dentistry. This experience allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of what her patients need from her and how she can best serve them.

In 2009 Dr. Deepika Verma graduated from the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine with a doctorate of dental medicine. She pursued this degree in an effort to accumulate advanced dental training. Due to her educational experience at Boston University, which hosts a prestigious dental program, Dr. Verma is able to provide her patients with a higher degree of knowledge and skill.

Today, Dr. Deepika Verma is the dental director of the Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa. Prior to working in this capacity she treated patients at a private practice. While she highly values both experiences, she is committed to the goal of making “high quality health care accessible to everyone in our region” that is espoused by the Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa.

A Variety of Services to Treat Diverse Patient Needs

Dentists provide their patients with the curative and preventative treatments that they require to optimize their dental health. These services range from simple to quite complex and address a long list of conditions. Here are some of the most common dental procedures that Dr. Verma and other dental professionals perform.

• Crowns: Crowns are pieces that fit over the tooth. They serve to enhance the strength of the tooth, as well as its durability and stability. Teeth can become compromised in their strength in a variety of ways, including grinding, old fillings, tooth decay, root canal, and even the natural aging process. Additionally, an improper bite can result in the need for crowns.
• Veneers: Like crowns, veneers cover the teeth. Unlike crowns, though, they are attached to the front of the teeth and are, primarily, cosmetic in nature. Veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth that have chips, are misaligned, are crooked, or are overcrowded. Additionally, this particular procedure can enhance the look of teeth that have worn down over time.
• Teeth Whitening: Over the last few years, whitening has become an incredibly popular cosmetic procedure. Patients often request whitening to brighten their smile and improve their image. While whitening kits are sold in stores for home use, having a dentist create a personalized whitening tray is the best way to ensure that teeth whitening is as effective as possible.
• Extraction: Dentists do all that they possibly can to save natural teeth. However, there are times when it is in the best interest of the patient to simply remove a tooth. Extraction is performed for many reasons, the most popular of which is tooth decay that has damaged the tooth beyond repair. After the extraction takes place, the socket develops a blood clot, then, over time, a layer of soft gum tissue emerges and then bony remodeling takes place. The complete healing process takes approximately six months or more.
• Dentures: When an individual has to have multiple teeth removed, dentures are often the best choice for filling the space left behind. Additionally, these prosthetics can improve the image of the smile by creating a more natural appearance. Complete dentures are total sets of teeth that are used when all of the teeth are removed. Partial dentures are created to fill certain gaps and fit between any remaining natural teeth.

The process of creating dentures is approached in two different ways. Immediate dentures are given to the patient upon the extraction of their teeth, so they are created before extraction takes place. Conventional dentures, on the other hand, are given to the patient about eight to 12 weeks after they undergo the extraction of their teeth. Dentists can help patients to determine which option is the best for their particular case.

Dr. Deepika Verma: Dental Procedures to Improve Health

• Periodontal Treatment: The periodontium, or the tissue that surrounds the teeth, is just as prone to disease and injury as the teeth themselves. As such, dentists check the periodontium as well as the actual teeth when performing an examination. Should periodontal disease appear, dentists (or dental hygienists) will debride or clean the teeth, making sure to remove plaque under the gum line.

The ability of a dentist to properly treat periodontal disease rests in the hands of the patients themselves. Even after treatment is performed, maintaining oral health depends upon a proper dental hygiene routine. Patients need to brush and floss regularly in order to keep disease at bay and optimize their oral health.

• Root Canals: A root canal is a procedure that is performed to try to save a natural tooth. If a tooth is damaged due to decay or injury, dentists may remove the pulp and the nerve. Without a root canal the tooth can become abscessed, which is painful and can cause damage to the bone, swelling, and stress on the muscles of the face.
• Cosmetic Bonding: Bonding is performed by applying resin to the surface of the teeth, then using adhesives and a strong curing light to set the treatment. Cosmetic in nature, bonding improves the appearance of the teeth by covering any discoloration or chipping. Furthermore, bonding can shape the teeth, fill in any gaps between them, and protect root surfaces that are vulnerable due to decay and other issues.
• Bridges: A bridge is just what the name implies—a prosthetic that bridges gaps between teeth. Basically, the abutment teeth (the teeth on either side of a gap) are covered with crowns. These crowns are connected with one or more pontics, or false teeth. This can improve the comfort of the patient and the appearance of their smile.
• Composite Fillings: White fillings, these are made from resin instead of metal. They are relied upon because they are strong and last. Additionally, their color is much more natural in appearance than the dark fillings made from metal.

Dr. Deepika Verma performs these and other procedures on her patients to assist them with achieving their dental goals. Dr. Deepika Verma encourages patients to ask their dentist any questions they may have before procedures are completed.