Dentistry isn’t just about fixing issues and keeping your teeth healthy—it can also have to do with the aesthetics of your smile. And that’s where the differences between a general and cosmetic dentist come into play. In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between the two, so you can better understand which one is right for you. Keep reading!
Cosmetic dentistry vs general dentistry
While there are some overlaps between a general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, they each have distinct areas of focus.
General dentistry primarily deals with the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. The goal is to prevent, diagnose, and treat oral diseases and maintain the function of your teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile. Cosmetic dental procedures are usually elective rather than essential. However, in some cases, they can also provide restorative benefits.
What does a general dentist do?
General dentistry covers a broad range of services related to the maintenance of oral health and the diagnosis and treatment of oral health conditions like gum disease, tooth decay, pain, bruxism (teeth grinding), mouth ulcers, bleeding gums, or sensitivity. Their treatments include routine dental check-ups, dental cleanings (although this is often done by a dental hygienist), crowns, onlays, bridges, extractions, gum disease treatments, oral cancer screenings, treatment for TMJ, and more. The primary aim of general dentistry is to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums, whether with preventative treatments or restorative treatments.
What does a cosmetic dentist do?
Cosmetic dentistry, in contrast, is focused on the aesthetic aspects of your teeth, mouth, and smile. They may help treat various issues like discolored, chipped, misaligned, gapped, gummy, or small teeth. They may do this with treatments like teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, some orthodontic treatments, dental implants, gum contouring, crowns, and more. Some of the treatments a cosmetic dentist may use in their practice overlap with treatments a general dentist may use.
What training do they get?
To become a general dentist, a person needs to complete dental school and earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. After earning this degree a general dentist may choose to complete additional training to specialize in one area. The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes 10 specialties, and that extra training could take anywhere from one to eight years.
Cosmetic dentistry is not officially recognized as a specialty by the ADA, but dentists who want to specialize in cosmetic treatments can take advanced training programs to refine their skills.
Which type of dentist should you see?
If you’re unsure whether to see a general or cosmetic dentist, think about what’s bothering you most. If you’re dealing with pain or sensitivity or are concerned with maintaining your oral health, a general dentist is the way to go. But if your teeth are healthy and you’re more focused on improving your smile—maybe you have some discoloration, misalignment, or chips—then a cosmetic dentist is probably your best bet. They specialize in making your teeth look their best.
To make it simple: Is health and function, or is aesthetic enhancement your main priority? And if you’re not sure, starting with a general dentist is a good move. They’ll point you in the right direction if you need more specialized care.
Visit Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc for a cosmetic and general dentist in Burbank
If you’re looking for one of the best cosmetic and general dentists in Burbank, come visit our office, Dr. Ruiz & Associates, Inc! Dr. Ruiz is a respected dentist, educator, and researcher who has even developed a smile design technique that dentists all around the world use. He is also known as a pioneer in supra-gingival minimally invasive dentistry, or “above the gums dentistry,” which is a healthier form of dentistry that protects soft oral tissues and produces long-lasting, beautiful results.
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