Going to the dentist is an important part of healthcare, which is a practice almost 70% of American adults practice each year. When it comes to dental procedures you can get, there are several categories the treatments fall into. Two of the most widely used categories are general and cosmetic dentistry, and each has important advantages to them.
Understanding the differences between these branches of dentistry can help you make decisions to keep your mouth healthy and looking its best. Here, we’ll look at each of these branches of dentistry, so you have a full understanding of how each works.
General Dentistry
General dentistry focuses on your overall oral health. The recommendation for most people is to visit a dentist twice a year to make sure their teeth and gums are healthy.
Preventative Dentistry
One common part of general dentistry is preventative care. This type of preventative dentistry focuses on keeping problems from forming through frequent check-ups.
These types of preventative services include regular exams and professional teeth cleaning. These exams may include services like X-rays and other diagnostic tools.
Your general dentist can give you preventative treatments like sealants and fluoride if your teeth health needs it. They will also send you home with instructions on how to keep your oral health in its best shape.
Restorative Procedures
Certain dental disorders require your general dentist to perform a restorative service. If your dentist finds a problem that needs addressing, they will make sure you get the right treatment as fast as they can help.
A common restorative procedure is to attend to dental decay. Your dentist will remove any tooth decay and fill in the tooth so the decay can’t progress.
Another restorative service your dentist may do is to treat any dental trauma. If your tooth gets broken, loose, or knocked out, a general dentist can help.
Your dentist may also help with therapies like tooth extraction and root canals. These procedures can reduce pain, remove infection, and keep your mouth and gums in their best health.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry focuses more on enhancing the look of your teeth, smile, and gums. This form of dentistry looks at improving your facial appearance by correcting and improving areas of the mouth and teeth.
A common procedure in cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office offers the whitest smile you can get.
Veneers are another common cosmetic dentistry procedure. Veneers are overlays that go over each tooth to improve the look by concealing any imperfections in the smile.
Both General and Cosmetic Dentistry Are Key Dental Services
General and cosmetic dentistry both work to help you have the best, most radiant smile you can get. Whether you are looking to improve your dental routine or update your smile, your general or cosmetic dentist is here for you.
Here at Michelle Wang D.D.S., our qualified and dedicated staff are here to help you achieve your general and cosmetic dental goals. With decades of dental expertise, we want to make sure you get the smile you deserve. If you are in the Redlands, California area, schedule your appointment with us today.