Friday, May 29, 2020

The Difference Between a General Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist



A brilliant smile is the easiest way to improve your looks. It boosts your confidence and opens a window of opportunities. Therefore, your teeth require all the dental care within reach. General dentistry and cosmetic services are both on the market, offering special services to fill particular needs. It is easy to find an experienced dentist in Longmont for both cosmetic and general dentistry practices. 

However, it is hard to decide which expert is a more suitable solution for your dental trouble. It is crucial to understand the difference between each dentist's function while searching for the best attention. Therefore, in the following article, we review cosmetic and general dentistry roles to ease your decision.

Basic Initial Training and Education


Both general dentists and cosmetic professionals start by attaining a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) degree. Therefore, these specialists are qualified to perform general procedures such as tooth repair and hygiene appointments. They can provide necessary dental care for issues that might arise under check-ups. 

However, aesthetics specialty requires additional training under cosmetic dentistry programs. Therefore, general dentists can pursue this specialty by continuing their education for a few years more to develop the skills necessary to improve the appearance of teeth.  

General Dentistry Services


A general dentist addresses dental issues related to oral hygiene and teeth-sourced discomfort. Their primary practice is preventive care, helping you to have a healthy mouth and the best oral hygiene routine. However, they are also ready to diagnose oral diseases and start personalized treatment plans. When needed, they can perform tooth extractions, root canals, and repair cavities. They can also deliver a few cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening. A general dentist at a dental clinic in Longmont is the source of your teeth’s maintenance and a healthy smile.

Specialized Cosmetic Dentistry


A cosmetic dentist focuses on delivering a beautiful smile to their pool of patients. Therefore, performing restorative or corrective dental surgery is a daily task for your cosmetic dentist in Longmont. These dental services include dental implants, inlays and onlays, teeth whitening, teeth alignment, dentures, tooth-coloured fillings, porcelain veneers, and more. These aesthetics-related procedures treat both minor imperfections and complete smile makeover scenarios. 

Therefore, both professionals offer particular services that guarantee your oral health and teeth's appearance. The general dentist is here to deliver you a strong and healthy set of teeth and gums. The cosmetic dentist’s goal is to assure a flawless smile. However, there can be scenarios where these specialists require teamwork. For instance, an advanced tooth-decaying situation will require tooth extraction performed by a general dentist to avoid further spreading. Later on, this patient will need a cosmetic professional to address the missing tooth to preserve the patient’s smile and confidence. From porcelain veneers to dental implants, it is up to the cosmetic dentist to solve this problem.

As for the cost-related scenario, you might think cosmetic dentists are quite more expensive. However, these specialists usually charge similar fees for their work. Procedure prices vary with each professional since materials used for the interventions they perform vary. However, some doctors add a small percentage because of their added training and broadened responsibilities in your search for a stunning smile.

A beautiful smile and optimal oral health derives from the interaction of both general and cosmetic dentists. It requires commitment from the patient to keep teeth free from tooth decay and any other dental issues. Regular check-ups with both professionals, a proper brushing technique, and a healthy lifestyle will guarantee your dream smile.