It is often said that the worst pain someone can go through is a toothache. It is not only painful but restricts you from eating. Due to this reason, it’s essential to prevent tooth decay. Teeth are also responsible for maintaining your appearance and looking attractive. In today’s world, these two aspects of your teeth have given birth to two kinds of dentistry. One is general dentistry, whereas the other is cosmetic dentistry. These two are associated with the wellness and appearance of your teeth, respectively.
Whenever there is a concern for your look regarding your teeth, cosmetic dentistry comes into play. However, if you are just concerned about your teeth’s health, then general dentistry will do. Both these terms are two different sides of the same coin. If you wish to understand the difference between the two, then read on further to know more.
About Cosmetic Dentists
Wherever the term cosmetic is included, it automatically means that it has something to do with your appearance.
Similarly, cosmetic dentistry is all about the appearance of your teeth. Any procedure that enhances the look of your teeth is done by a cosmetic dentist. Teeth whitening is the primary procedure of cosmetic dentistry. Some other procedures are:
- Inlays and Onlays
- Dental Venners
- Composite Bonding
There is a very fine line between general and cosmetic dentistry. However, sometimes they both overlap, and the line gets quite blurry. After all, the object of attention in both cases is teeth.
About General Dentists
The job of a general dentist is to ensure that your teeth are healthy and you do not feel any discomfort. If it means compromising your appearance a little bit, they won’t hesitate. The procedures that a general dentist usually does are:
- Root Canal Work
- Extractions
- Fillings
- Treatment For Gingivitis
- Treatment For Periodontitis
A general dentist can also perform the procedures carried out by a cosmetic dentist, like teeth whitening. They might also do procedures that include fitting sealants and mouthguards.
Difference Between Cosmetic And General Dentists
Primary Focus
The primary focus of the cosmetic dentist is to provide a sound solution for your dental problems related to your appearance. Cosmetic dentistry is ideal if you want to improve your smile. On the other hand, general dentistry focuses on the wellness of your teeth. So, if you are having dental issues regarding your teeth’s health, then general dentistry is the one you should go for.
Issue You Are Facing
There are some procedures that general dentists can do to improve your appearance. So, while choosing one of the two, you need to really weigh down the pros and cons. For instance, if your teeth are misaligned, then you can go either to a general dentist or a cosmetic dentist any one will do the job.
Health Of Your Teeth
If you are concerned about the health of your teeth but also want to look appealing, then you can go to the general dentist. You can tell them that you do not want to compromise your appearance and suggest procedures to enhance your looks.
ADA Recognition
The American Dental Association (ADA) only recognizes general dentistry as a specialty. This means that cosmetic dentistry is not officially recognized by the ADA. However, this doesn’t mean that cosmetic dentists do not undergo extensive training. In fact, they specialize in smile designing, which is kind of the whole point of cosmetic dentistry.
Blurred Lines Between Cosmetic And General Dentists
As mentioned earlier, the object of attention in both specialties is teeth. Due to this reason, the lines between the two get quite blurry. Take dental veneers, for example; they are considered cosmetic as they are used to mask stained or cracked teeth. But, they are also used as a restorative treatment to prevent the tooth’s surface from any sort of damage.
Biting difficulties or slurred speech can be fixed with dentures. But they are also used to fill gaps in your mouth for a more appealing smile. Likewise, there are so many other procedures or areas where you can’t really tell the difference between these two dental specialties.
Final Thoughts
So, these are some of the differences between cosmetic and general dentists. Next time you think of making an appointment for your dental check, keep these differences in mind. If you solely visit the dentist for your smile and appearance, then you should make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist who specializes in smile design.
