Given the advancements in dentistry, there are several dental fields today, and qualified dentists offer various services. General dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are the most popular among those fields.
When deciding whether a new dentist will be right for you, it’s best to consider their services and find if they meet your needs. But it’s pretty normal to get confused about the difference between general and cosmetic dentistry.
When you can figure out the difference between the two, it can help you decide which one will meet your needs.
What is General Dentistry?
The majority of dentists offer general dentistry. It includes all available dental procedures and treatments, from oral health check-ups and dental crowns to tooth extractions and root canal treatment.
General dentistry can treat most of your dental issues and emergencies associated with oral hygiene and dental pain. When we talk about a general dentist, he is the primary dental healthcare provider who can treat dental problems in people of all ages. These dentists provide a wide range of services rather than focusing on any specific dental practice.
General dentistry services can include the following:
- Preventive services
- Restorative services
- Maxillofacial Procedures
- Laser Procedures
- Overall dental health concerns
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to the specialisation in areas that concern the visual appearance of a patient’s smile. Dental work such as teeth whitening, veneers, and dental bridges are part of cosmetic dentistry.
This field focuses on dental aesthetics and repairs dental gaps and discoloured, worn, broken, chipped, and stained teeth. It includes a patient’s smile makeover.
Below are some of the procedures included in cosmetic dentistry:
- Teeth whitening
- Dental bonding
- Dental crowns
- Dental veneers
- Inlays and on-lays
- Dental bridges
- Dental implants
General Dentistry vs. Cosmetic Dentistry
The general dentist & the cosmetic dentist both have the same basic training. Both can perform all necessary procedures like teeth cleaning, X-rays, filling cavities, and adding crowns, bridges, and veneers. Moreover, both of these dentists can apply braces and perform therapeutic procedures.
A general dentist addresses your basic dental needs, while a cosmetic dentist focuses more on the aesthetics of your smile. However, the main difference between general and cosmetic dentistry is that for patients concerned about the final look and appearance of their teeth, a cosmetic dentist is a better option as they can provide high-quality aesthetic results.
You can quickly figure out which type of dentistry you need most of the time. You’ll see a cosmetic dentist if you want to whiten your teeth. But if you have a toothache, you must visit a general dentist. It is worth mentioning that both general and cosmetic dentists can fill a cavity. But if you’re concerned about how your teeth will look afterwards, you should go for cosmetic dentistry. Your cosmetic dentist will use a composite filling that matches your teeth’ shade.
Still, there are some situations where there’s a crossover between these two major fields of dentistry, and you may need cosmetic dentistry after general dentistry. Due to this crossover, it’s better to look for a dentist’s office that offers general and cosmetic dentistry in one place.
Otherwise, you’ll have difficulty managing your oral health as you would have to deal with two different dentist offices.
Whether you’re searching for a general or a cosmetic dentist, Complete Family Dental offers quality procedures and treatments under both the general and cosmetic categories of dentistry. We have a team of qualified dentists who come with a vast experience in various areas of dentistry.
You can contact Complete Family Dental anytime to schedule an appointment.