When doing your research for a dentist, you might have encountered continuously the names: cosmetic dentist and general dentist. Which is the type of dentist you should pick? How does a dentist become general, or cosmetic? Read ahead to find all there is to know about both cosmetic and general dentists. Once you recognize the differences, you will surely know which type of dentist to pick for your dental situation. Below are some of the most common questions about the distinctions between general and cosmetic dentistry.
What Is General Dentistry?
A general dentist’s aim is a healthy tooth. He or she is able to diagnose, prevent, and ultimately, treat any disease, condition, and disorder happening to the mouth. Typically, they are the kind of dentist you would go see for your bi-annual cleaning yearly. What the majority of people are unaware of is the fact that all dentists are general dentists. Whenever a dentist gets his/ her DDS or DMD, they take the title of general dentist. Different focuses, including cosmetic dentistry, are extra postgraduate schooling.
You might have seen differences in dentists. Some of the ones you’ve bumped into might have been DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), and others DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry), however, they all have the same degree and are both general dentists.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Differently from a general dentist, a cosmetic dentist’s main aim is the improvement of the appearance of the gums, teeth, and bites. This even involves the position, shape, color, size, alignment, and general smile appearance.
Though there are many dentists who self-claim the title “cosmetic dentist” without getting the proper education, if you are really looking for a cosmetic dentist, you have to pick one who has obtained some additional schooling. This is most of the time easily discoverable in their bios or websites.
The base education is the same for general and cosmetic dentists, considering they are both general dentists. If you are looking for a dentist who can help you with gum disease treatment, root canals, or cleanings, make sure to pick a general dentist. Their attention is on keeping your teeth healthy, primarily, that’s because they are general dentists after all, but they also pay extra attention to the appearance of your smile. You get the best of both worlds.
The Training
When discussing the many various procedures, it should be noted that a cosmetic dentist is the one who goes through extensive training in them. However, a general dentist might practice the same services for many years, such as root canals, gingivitis treatment, and fillings. Cosmetic dentists are learning how to solve dental issues with the aesthetic of the smile in their minds. And despite the fact that they are still quite mindful of the teeth and gums’ health, their aims depart from those of a general dentist. Even their training includes the incorporation of aesthetics into general procedures. Take for instance, the posterior crown, though nobody is able to see it, a cosmetic dentist will still do her/ his best to make it blend perfectly with the rest of the teeth.
In regards to training, once again, a general dentist might only do a minimum following the completion of dental school. On the other hand, the majority of cosmetic dentists will attend different programs, and seminars, and obtain additional certifications. This enables them to specialize in specific services. Bear in mind that to be a chosen Invisalign provider, a dentist must first complete training and obtain a certificate. Invisalign is part of the cosmetic procedures, and many dentists do not invest enough in it unless they offer cosmetic dental treatments.
Experience
Concerning experience, both dentists will have the same amount of experience performing different kinds of procedures. Whilst a general dentist can surely apply veneers, a cosmetic dentist has to do them every single day, and consequently, have mind-blowing experience with the procedure. For those in search of improving the appearance of their smile, seeing a cosmetic dentist rather than a general one is indispensable for the best outcomes. In spite of being able to provide some kinds of cosmetic procedures, such doesn’t entitle them to cosmetic dentists. The overall experience and the frequency with which they practice, alongside the commitment to extra schooling is what distinguishes them.
Services Provided By General Dentists
Whenever somebody considers going to a dental practitioner for bi-annual evaluations and cleanings, they generally choose their general or family dentist. Though there is no doubt that a cosmetic dentist would conduct the same tasks, they are more skilled in the functionality and the look, rather than preventative care. A high number of general dentists are able to provide their patients with gum disease treatments, root canals, extractions, cleanings, exams, X-rays, dentures, and fillings.
Services Provided By A Cosmetic Dentist
There is a variation of types of services provided by cosmetic dentists, based significantly on the dental practitioner and which orientation they select to specialize in. Nevertheless, there exist several staples in the field that the majority of cosmetic dentists must practice in order to offer the best care to patients. Such can be veneers, porcelain crowns, teeth whitening and teeth bonding, as well as total smile makeovers.
Is There A Price Difference?
As aforementioned, cosmetic dentists will generally attend many more seminars and training following their dental school, compared to general dentists. This enables them to stay up-to-date on the latest technology advancements in the industry. When all is said and done, their primary objective is to provide their patients with healthier and more beautiful smiles. Yet, that training does mean additional costs for the patients. In fact, a cosmetic dentist is usually more expensive than a general dentist. In the majority of cases, this cuts back to the amount of time the dentist will need to spend with the patient and the procedures that are conducted.
How Do You Decide Who To Visit?
What kind of procedure do you need? Do you need emergency dental care, or are you looking for a whiter, brighter smile? Whilst both a general and cosmetic dentist are able to do both things, the former is best suited for emergency care and the latter for professional teeth whitening. Whenever factoring in the experience and cost, a high number of patients go with the dentists that give them the best outcomes. For the creation of a gorgeous smile, undoubtedly, a cosmetic dentist is the best alternative. While for other procedures including checkups and regular cleanings, a general dentist is qualified enough to complete such tasks to the most high standard of care.
What Is A Prosthodontist?
A prosthodontist is a dental practitioner recognized by the ADA (American Dental Association), similar to a general dentist and orthodontist. And even though there is a high possibility of every dentist claiming that they are a cosmetic dentist, often because they’ve had some extra training, it cannot be said the same for a prosthodontist. This title necessitates much more than three extra years of schooling at a university.
ADA, or as previously stated the American Dental Association spells out a prosthodontist as “the specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehab and sustenance of the oral functionality, comfortability, appearance, and health of patients experiencing clinical conditions related to deficient or missing teeth and/ or oral and maxillofacial tissues through the use of biocompatible substitutes.”
Such individuals will have gone through excessive training in both cosmetic and general dentistry but they will generally conduct only one function, the restoration of missing teeth and everything it covers. In several situations, a prosthodontist will handle restorations, including dental implants, but he or she will always have in mind the aesthetic side. A general and cosmetic dentist can additionally conduct this kind of oral surgery, but a prosthodontist has the additional education, schooling, and training needed, far more.
Adding to dental implants, a prosthodontist is also expected to conduct more specialized services such as reconstructions, dental dentures- be they full or partial, and dental bridges.
Does A Cosmetic Dentist Cost More?
A cosmetic dentist doesn’t necessarily mean a higher price. The price is more related to the service or procedure chosen. If you have picked a cosmetic dentist for general practice services, for instance, teeth cleaning, they are highly likely to be about the same price. Nevertheless, the majority of cosmetic dentists have financing alternatives for services that have a higher price.
Can A Dentist Be Both Cosmetic And General?
Indeed. Any cosmetic dentist is also a general dentist. He or she is capable of conducting all the services a general dentist does, but they put more focus on the functionality and appearance of the teeth, jaws, smile, and ultimately, gums. Parallel to one looking for a plastic surgeon to stitch up visible wounds, one would need a cosmetic dentist to make sure that their smile not only feels but also looks great.
Which Type Of Dentist Should I See?
This is entirely dependent on your needs. For issues considered basic including discomfort, general poor oral health, or addressing any type of pain, both general and cosmetic dentists can come in handy. Yet, if there is a need to address aesthetic issues, the best services can be taken by a cosmetic dentist. Meaning, you can choose either dentist for a root canal, but a tooth restoration or whitening should be scheduled with a cosmetic dentist.
The perfect course of action would be to schedule an appointment at a dental facility with a skilled and professional dental practitioner in both cosmetic and general dentistry. Facilities like these have a staff full of experience, varying from dental adhesives to dental surgery. In spite of the fact that you might need to treat a severe gum infection or if you are looking to brighten your smile, a similar practice might simplify your needs.
How Do I Get An Appointment With Dr. Roland Zhuka?
Dr. Roland Zhuka is thoroughly focused on the cosmetic aspect of it all. On providing you with the very best smile. Implying that he pays extra attention to the functionality and well-being of your mouth and the look of your smile. Pick Dr. Roland Zhuka in Tirana, Albania if you are in search of a gorgeous, functional smile. Call +355 69 70 44 409 or schedule an appointment online, today.
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