Many different dental fields today can make it hard for patients to know the right specialist to visit whenever they have dental problems. It can be confusing to differentiate between general and cosmetic dentistry. Read on to discover the difference between the two fields.
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is a field of medicine that concentrates on the diagnosis, study, and treatment of conditions and diseases that affect the mouth cavity and related structures. For instance, tooth extraction aimed at preventing the spread of tooth decay would fall under general dentistry. This is a broad field that encompasses other kinds of dentistry, such as cosmetic and implant dentistry.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
This is a field of dentistry that is mostly concerned with enhancing the overall appearance of your teeth. It focuses on the repair of chipped, worn, broken, discolored, and misshapen teeth and dental gaps. It’s an uncomplicated way to give your teeth a makeover by giving people a bright smile. This is done by creating crowns and veneers for patients in their desired shape and shade.
Differences Between Cosmetic and General Dentistry
Education and Training
Both cosmetic and general dentists must hold a Doctor of Dental Surgery or a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. These degrees enable them to offer all kinds of dental procedures and required dental treatment. Many cosmetic dentists attend programs and seminars and undertake advanced certification to enable them to specialize in the area of dental aesthetics.
Services Offered
General Dentistry
General dentists handle dental issues related to pain, discomfort, and overall oral health. Dentists are commonly involved in helping to fill or prevent cavities. They are also involved in the following procedures among other things:
- Root canals
- Fillings
- Dentures
- Extractions
- Treatment of gum inflammation and gum disease
- Preventative care services such as oral cancer screenings
- Mouthguards or sleep appliances
- Routine dental checkups
- X-rays
Cosmetic Dentistry
This type of dentistry specializes in procedures that help to enhance the way the teeth appear. These dentists can usually do everything that a general dentist can do, but they might choose to focus specifically on procedures that involve increasing patient aesthetics. These dentists work to improve the aesthetics of your teeth and gums. The procedures they are involved in include the following:
- Fixed implants
- Dentures
- Application of porcelain veneers
- Fillings
- Application of inlays
- Teeth whitening
Why Choose Cosmetic Dentistry?
Never underestimate the power of a healthy smile. A set of clean, properly aligned teeth can increase your confidence significantly. If you have been having a hard time smiling due to a lack of confidence in your smile, consider booking an appointment. A cosmetic dentist can help enhance the look of your gums and teeth through the application of crowns and veneers.
If you have crowded, stained, or misaligned teeth, cosmetic dentistry procedures can help restore your smile. Cosmetic procedures can make it easy for you to clean and floss your teeth, reducing the risk of tooth decay. In addition to helping boost your confidence with a healthy smile, cosmetic work can also enhance your overall oral health.
