Do you need dental work, but aren’t sure whether to go for general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry? If so, this article is here to help. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. We’ll go over what each type of treatment involves and how both can be helpful for your oral health. Read on to learn more about the differences between these two areas of dentistry.
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is the practice of preventing, diagnosing, and treating any diseases and disorders that can affect the mouth. The goal of general dentistry is to maintain oral health by providing regular check-ups and preventive care such as cleanings and cavity fillings. General dentists are trained to identify and treat a wide range of dental issues, including cavities, gum disease, misalignment of teeth, missing teeth, broken or chipped teeth, root canals, impacted wisdom teeth, infection in the jawbone tissue around the tooth (periodontal disease), etc.
Common Treatments with General Dentistry
The most common treatments provided by general dentists include cleaning and scaling of teeth (to remove plaque build-up and tartar), fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal therapy (to remove an infection from the root of a tooth), extractions (removal of teeth that cannot be saved), dental implants (artificial replacement for missing teeth) and dentures. General dentists may also provide preventive care such as fluoride treatments to prevent cavities, nutritional counseling, and advice on how to practice proper oral hygiene at home.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of your smile. It involves procedures that are not necessary for oral health but helps to enhance the aesthetics of your teeth. Common treatments include tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, bonding, reshaping and contouring of teeth, orthodontics (braces or Invisalign) to correct misalignment of teeth, and facial reshaping. These procedures can be used to correct a wide range of smile imperfections such as discoloration, chips, gaps between teeth, and crooked or misshapen teeth.
Common Treatments with Cosmetic Dentistry
The most common cosmetic dentistry treatments are whitening or bleaching (to remove stains from the surface of your teeth), bonding (to hide small chips or cracks), veneers (thin shells made out of porcelain that is bonded to the front of teeth to improve their appearance), and reshaping and contouring (to even out any unevenness in teeth). Orthodontics is also used to correct misalignment of teeth, while facial reshaping can be used to improve the overall look of your face.
Comparison Between General & Cosmetic Dentistry
The major difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry lies in what they focus on. While general dentistry focuses on treating and preventing oral health problems, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your smile. Both types of treatments can be beneficial for your oral health, but it’s important to understand how each one works so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to your dental care.
Conclusion
General and cosmetic dentistry both serve important roles in maintaining good oral health. General dentists are trained to diagnose and treat any issues that can affect your mouth, while cosmetic dentists specialize in improving the appearance of your smile. By understanding the differences between these two areas of dentistry, you will be able to make informed decisions about which type of treatment is best for your needs.
