General dentists are often mistaken for cosmetic dentists because of their similar-sounding job titles. Both general and cosmetic dentists work as dental professionals, but they have different specializations. Although regular dentists may not have the same breadth of services available to them as a cosmetic one, this doesn’t mean that general ones can’t perform any cosmetic procedures. It is important to understand the primary differences between the two types of practitioners so you can find the right dentist for your needs. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving your smile and making you feel confident about your appearance; it is also used to correct defects in teeth or jaws that produce an unnatural appearance or cause chewing difficulties.
Cosmetic dentistry vs. general dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is a general term used to refer to dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums, or bite. It focuses on the improvement of how the smile looks in terms of color, alignment, shape, size, and overall smile appearance. Some of these procedures include teeth whitening, veneers, and tooth restoration, among other things.
General dentistry refers to someone who diagnoses, treats, and manages all oral healthcare needs. These are more health-related things like gum care, tooth care, pain, oral hygiene, and preventative education. Typically, a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist both perform general treatments such as regular checkups, fillings and dental crowns, fixing cavities, repairing teeth, cleaning, and whitening. But there are some things to consider that set them apart.
Training required for cosmetic dentistry
Both general dentists and cosmetic dentists are required to undergo training, as well as possess degrees and licenses. Regular dentists are required to complete a doctoral degree in their field, and become licensed to provide dental health care in their state. Some dentists will even complete a residency program in order to become more specialized in their field.
Similarly, cosmetic dentists must complete a doctoral degree, whether it be a Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery, and participate in accredited programs that incorporate specialized training in cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentists must also complete a postgraduate program in cosmetic, aesthetic, or restorative dentistry.
Prosthodontists require additional training because they specialize in handling dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing teeth and jaw structure. These types of dentists complete dental school plus at least three additional years of advanced training and education in an accredited prosthodontic graduate program.
What do general dentists do?
They are the go-to specialists for dental health, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral injuries. They can fix cavities, perform root canals, and do other procedures to prevent dental problems from becoming serious. Regular dentists can also prescribe a limited amount of drugs that fight pain and manage oral diseases. They are the first responders for dental emergencies like broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, and pain caused by a tooth abscess. These dentists can also provide guidance for maintaining a healthy mouth through proper nutrition.
They can recommend diets for cavity prevention and teeth strengthening using fluoride treatments. They can also detect signs of potential health issues, like anemia, diabetes, and high blood pressure, through thorough oral examinations. General dentists are also responsible for enhancing a patient’s smile through cosmetic dental procedures, such as teeth whitening and dental implants.
Cosmetic dentist vs general dentist: which is right for you?
While the two types of dentists have the same goal of improving the health of your teeth and gums, the primary difference between a cosmetic dentist and a general dentist is their scope of services. A cosmetic dentist specializes in procedures that improve aesthetic aspects of the teeth and gums, like straightening teeth, whitening teeth, and correcting spaces between teeth. A general dentist specializes in procedures that improve the health of the teeth and gums, including cavity removal, gum disease treatment, and tooth extraction.
Regular dentists can definitely do some things related to cosmetic procedures. However, they cannot give you a brand new smile like a cosmetic dentist would. While a general dentist can whiten your teeth, a cosmetic dentist can also straighten your teeth. Common dentists can also perform dental implant surgeries, but cosmetic dentists can also straighten your teeth with Invisalign.
Dentists and Cosmetic dentistry
General dentists are qualified to perform some cosmetic procedures. In fact, they actually offer the same procedures that cosmetic dentists do, just with different terminology. General dentists often refer to teeth whitening as teeth bleaching. This is because when teeth are whitened, they’re bleached, which is a chemical process that removes stains from teeth. General dentists can also do things like fillings, gum treatments, and root canal procedures.
They can even do dental implants and Invisalign, which are procedures cosmetic dentists can’t do. General dentists, however, can’t do everything that cosmetic dentists do. They don’t do teeth transplants, tooth reconstructions, or oral surgery. They also can’t give you a new smile like cosmetic dentists can, which is why you should probably see a cosmetic dentist if you’re looking to change your teeth.
Benefits of visiting a dentist for cosmetic procedures
There are many advantages to seeing a general dentist for cosmetic procedures. General dentists are more affordable than cosmetic dentists. A general dentist charges around $175 per visit, while a cosmetic dentist charges around $500 per visit. General dentists are also more convenient. Since they work in a variety of locations and aren’t limited to operating in certain places like cosmetic dentists are, you have more options for finding a general dentist. General dentists are also more accessible.
Because they have more patients and work longer hours than cosmetic dentists, you can get in to see a general dentist more quickly than a cosmetic dentist. General dentists are also qualified to treat more than just your teeth. They can look at your entire mouth and give you advice on how to improve the health of your teeth and gums. Most cosmetic dentists, however, only treat your teeth.
Disadvantages of visiting dentist for cosmetic procedures
There are a few disadvantages to seeing a general dentist for cosmetic procedures, but they involve the quality of service you receive. Since general dentists don’t specialise in cosmetic procedures, they might not be as experienced with the specific procedures you want. Regular dentists might also not use the same high-quality materials as cosmetic dentists when doing your procedures. General dentists also might not be able to give you the same level of service as a cosmetic dentist.
You might not receive the same amount of attention, and you might have to adjust your expectations. General dentists might not be able to fix your smile as well as a cosmetic dentist could. Regular dentists aren’t as equipped for oral surgery, teeth transplants, and tooth reconstructions as cosmetic dentists are. So, if you have extreme dental problems, you might not be able to get the help you need from a general dentist.
Conclusion
It’s important to know the difference between the two types of dentists in order to choose the right one for your needs. General dentists can definitely do some things related to cosmetic procedures. However, they aren’t able to give you a brand new smile like cosmetic dentists can. When it comes to cosmetic procedures, general dentists are only qualified to perform teeth whitening and dental implants. If you are looking to change your smile, you should see a cosmetic dentist.
Suggested Article –
- Pros and Cons of Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Difference between Crowns and Dental Implants?
- Who is the Best Dental Implant specialist
