Cosmetic Dentistry vs. General Dentistry
Article by Lynn Fugaro
Cosmetic dental procedures are much cheaper these days than they have been in the past. They are more mainstream, which means more people are likely to know what porcelain veneers are and want them. As a result, there is a wider availability of cosmetic dental procedures.
Although cosmetic dentists focus on the aesthetics of your smile, they have not given up on functionality and your general oral health. First and foremost, all cosmetic dentists are general dentists, and are more often than not family dentists. Keeping your smile beautiful means keeping your oral health as good as it possibly can be.
Whenever you think of going to the dentist for your biannual appointment, you are going to go to a general dentist. Your teeth are cleaned by a hygienist who checks for cavities and other problems. These are also looked for in x-rays of your mouth to see what’s beneath the gum line. Filling cavities, replacing fillings, and root canals can all be performed by a general dentist.
Family dentistry is also the realm of a general dentist, and one of the focuses here is on children. Getting children used to a lifetime of oral care is important to all dentists, even cosmetic dentists. Take your children to see a family dentist when they turn three so that they can get the care they need.
If there are any oral health care concerns, your general dentist should be the one to monitor them. Your oral health is tied directly to your general health overall. Do not neglect to take care of a problem and call the dentist if you need to.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentists focus on the appearance of the smile and work to create the most beautiful smile they can. There are many reasons patients may visit a cosmetic dentist. No two mouths are alike, and no two cosmetic dental procedures will be the same. Some of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures include:
* Tooth whitening – whitening teeth that are stained by drink, age, or even certain medications by several shades* Dental implants – replacing lost teeth with dental implants to improve function and aesthetics* Porcelain veneers – restoring stained, chipped, or crooked teeth to give you a bright, straight smile
While all of these aesthetic treatments are performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist, they can also perform all general dental procedures, including treating your cavities and periodontal disease.
If you are in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, and need a cosmetic, general, or family dentist, please visit the website of Dr. J. Steven Baker to set up an appointment today.