The Difference Between a General Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist

You can visit a cosmetic dentist and a general dentist for your cosmetic dental treatments. Both dental care providers can transform your smile. They can also enhance your oral health. Knowing the difference between a cosmetic dentist and a general dentist can help you determine where you must go to get your dream smile.

A general dentist’s work

This dental care provider treats issues linked to pain. A patient at a general dentist’s clinic will likely receive treatments aimed at alleviating dental pain. Dental extraction can remove teeth with severe damage or decay. Root canal treatment can remove an infected pulp. It restores the treated tooth with a dental crown. Dental fillings can repair teeth with mild to moderate decay.

A general dentist can also treat gum inflammation and gum disease. Patients can receive preventive care from this dentist. Professional dental cleanings can remove plaque and tartar. Fluoride treatments can help prevent decay while strengthening teeth.

Dental sealants protect the teeth from cavities. Mouthguards protect the teeth from damage while playing contact sports. An oral cancer screening can detect cancer cells in the oral cavity at an early stage. This screening can help the patient start treatments early, leading to a more favorable prognosis. A general dentist can also perform teeth whitening treatments.

A cosmetic dentist’s work

This dental care professional offers treatments that aim to enhance the appearance of one’s smile. Dental veneers are thin shells that cover the front surfaces of teeth. Inlays and onlays restore the bite surfaces of molars. Composite bonding restores teeth with mild to moderate damage or discoloration.

The significant differences

The main difference between cosmetic and general dentistry is focus. A cosmetic dentist focuses on improving the appearance of teeth. A general dentist focuses on the health of teeth and gums. Part of this provider’s job is to enhance the look of one’s smile. On the other hand, a cosmetic dentist aims to improve the appearance of one’s smile.

A general dentist completes four years of dental training. This dental care provider offers treatments across every field of dentistry. A cosmetic dentist finishes four years of dentistry. After graduating, this dentist undergoes more years of training in cosmetic dentistry techniques.

When to see these dental care providers

An individual should visit a general dentist if there are problems with gums or teeth. Bleeding and pain are issues that this professional can address. This dentist can assess and identify the problem. Treating it with the proper methods will follow.

Patients should consult a cosmetic dentist if there is a desire to improve their smile and general appearance. Assisting the patient in choosing the right treatments is part of the job. Achieving the patient’s desired smile is always the priority. Both dentists may have different priorities, but they both want to maintain the patient’s good oral health. The two dentists are also dedicated to providing patients with every assistance they need.