The main difference between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry is the focus of each type of treatment. General dentistry focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating dental diseases such as cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral health issues. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of your smile through treatments such as teeth whitening or veneers. While both types of dentists provide important services to maintain oral health, there are key differences in the scope of care offered by a general dentist compared to a cosmetic dentist.
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentists are primary care providers for your oral health needs; they diagnose and treat common dental problems with preventative measures that help keep your teeth and gums healthy. This includes regular check-ups and cleanings, tooth decay fillings, and root canals. They will also guide how to properly care for your teeth at home with brushing and flossing techniques and nutrition education to help you make healthier food choices for your oral health.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentists specialize in improving the appearance of your smile with treatments such as teeth whitening or veneers. Cosmetic dentists may offer other advanced services, such as orthodontics or dental implants. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on correcting aesthetic issues with a patient’s teeth rather than treating oral health problems like cavities or gum disease. Cosmetic dentists use advanced techniques and materials to create beautiful, natural-looking smiles that can give a patient more confidence.
Differences between Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry
The main difference between cosmetic and general dentistry is the focus of each treatment. Cosmetic dentists focus on improving your smile’s aesthetic appearance, while general dentists focus on preventing and treating oral health problems like cavities or gum disease. Cosmetic treatments may also improve a patient’s oral health by correcting issues with their bite alignment or helping them achieve a healthier-looking smile.
General dentists provide regular checkups, dental cleanings, fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, dentures, and more. Cosmetic treatments are available in addition to these services offered by general dentists; they include teeth whitening, veneers, orthodontics, dental implants, and more. Cosmetic dentistry is not typically covered by insurance; however, some cosmetic treatments may be covered if deemed medically necessary.
Conclusion
General dentistry and cosmetic dentistry each provide important services that help maintain your overall oral health. General dentistry focuses on preventing and treating problems with the teeth and gums, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on creating a beautiful smile for a patient. Cosmetic treatments can also be used to correct aesthetic issues or improve a patient’s overall oral health.
