General vs Cosmetic Dentistry

Most people don't know the difference between cosmetic and general dentistry. While they offer some of the same services they are two different fields.

When you think of a healthy mouth you probably think immediately about clean teeth, healthy gums and no cavities. Well, that is a big part of what every dentist does, but is that all there is to it? Isn't there more to the field than just cleaning off plaque and tartar and filling in the holes? Of course there is.

When you think of the oral healthcare profession though, most people just don't go any further than that chair. But did you know that there is a huge difference between cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is a specialized field that deals directly with making your smile look great. Of course, you can argue that with almost all dentist offices. But these specialists perform services such as tooth whitening, colored fillings, dental crowns, dental implants, invisalign, and porcelain veneers. Just because their services seem to revolve around making aesthetic corrections to your smile doesn't mean that it doesn't benefit your teeth. Often these treatments also strengthen your teeth. This correcting can make your smile much healthier and stronger in the long run.

General dentistry is just what you get when you are faced with seeing the dentist every six months. This is the type of oral healthcare professional you see if you are going in for a cleaning, have x-rays completed and have cavities filled. Like a their cosmetic specialist counterpart, this type of dentist can also whiten teeth and provide dental crowns but they spend more time working to make your mouth healthy not necessarily aesthetically pleasing. These doctors also provide gingivitis treatments, to keep your gums healthy, root canals, tooth extractions, and dental sealants. A visit to one of these general practitioners twice a year can help you maintain a healthy mouth and smile.

Sometimes the two paths cross. There are dentists out there that specialize in both general and cosmetic dentistry. This actually gives the patients the best of both worlds. While most general practitioners can fill a cavity they may not have the technology to match the filling to the color of the tooth exactly, making it very obvious that you've had a cavity. Those that do specialize in both fields have the equipment to be able to match your fillings with your teeth exactly. They also have the ability to make implants that blend perfectly with your natural teeth in size, shape, and color without making you come in for multiple appointments.

It doesn't always have to be general versus cosmetic dentistry. The most important part of going is to ensure that you have healthy teeth and gums. If you are looking to make your smile stand out then you should visit a specialist so that you can be certain your smile looks the best that it can. If your main concern is having a clean healthy smile then make sure that you visit your general dentist once every six months.

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