Today, we all recognize the significant impact of a healthy and confident smile. A beautiful smile contributes to a more positive self-image, overall wellness, and improved social and personal interactions. However, sometimes, it is not easy to choose the right dental procedure. General vs. cosmetic dentistry? If you want to know the answer, just keep reading. We are here to illuminate your decision-making procedure.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on restorative procedures to improve the health and functionality of the patient’s smiles. It helps the patients to experience a healthier life by enhancing their oral health and overall well-being.
The Responsibilities of A General Dentist
General dentists perform various dental procedures to maintain your oral health, prevent damage, and catch potential issues at an early stage. They thoroughly assess your teeth and oral textures to ensure there are no abnormal signs.
Common Services Offered in General Dentistry
General dentists perform several dental services to improve the oral health of the patients. Here we have mentioned some of the dental services:
- Regular dental checkups
- Dental cleaning
- Filling the damaged teeth
- Placing crowns and dental bridges
- Root canal therapy
- Periodontal problems
- Tooth extractions
Preventive Care in General Dentistry
General dentistry plays a crucial role in preventing oral issues. A general dentist can help maintain oral health by providing regular checkups, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, and sealants. They also give personalized advice to help you have a healthy mouth.
A Closer Look at Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures aimed to enhance your smile’s aesthetics. These procedures sometimes are both cosmetic and functional. However, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the beauty of the teeth and gums.
What Are Cosmetic Dental Procedures?
Cosmetic dental procedures are various. Each one is designed for a specific goal. Let’s take a glance at these procedures:
- Teeth whitening
- Dental veneers
- Dental bonding
- Dental crowns
- Aligners
- Gum contouring
How Cosmetic Dental Procedures Affect Your Appearance
Cosmetic dental procedures are one of the best ways to enhance your appearance. They can help you have a more confident smile by removing stains, correcting misalignments, filling the gaps, and creating a more harmonious look.
What Are the Differences Between General and Cosmetic Dentistry?
Despite these two fields sharing some common goals, general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are designed to address different types of oral issues. Their differences can be analyzed from various aspects, such as:
Purpose: General dentistry procedures are designed to help patients who are dealing with dental damage, while cosmetic dentistry is helpful to enhance the beauty of the smile and overall appearance.
Timing: Restorative and preventative procedures must be performed immediately to avoid more damage and reduce the risk of complications in the future. On the other hand, cosmetic dental issues are not urgent. They can be fixed at any time.
Cost: The cost of general dental procedures varies, however, sometimes they are covered by insurance while cosmetic dental services are not included in insurance coverage.
Who Is the Right Dentist for You?
If you want to choose a dentist, first, you should know whether your required treatment is cosmetic or general. To make sure, you can also consult with a dental professional. However, it is necessary to review the dentist’s educational background, experience, and the opinions of the other patients before undergoing any general or cosmetic process.
Give Us a Call Today!
Are you looking for the best dental clinic to get premium restorative and cosmetic services? Our team at Woodbridge Smile Centre is here for you! High-quality restorative and cosmetic dental services are offered to improve your smile and boost your confidence.
General or Cosmetic Dentistry? How to Choose?
All in all, it is not possible to determine which procedures are suitable for you without considering certain factors. For instance, if your tooth is damaged or decayed, it is essential to undergo restorative treatments before getting dental cosmetic services. Consulting with your dentist can help you in making decisions. They thoroughly assess your oral needs and tell you which general or cosmetic procedure suits your needs.
When to See a General Dentist
If you feel pain and discomfort, tooth sensitivity, or you notice visible abnormal signs, a general dentist can diagnose and fix the issue after a comprehensive assessment and reviewing your medical history.
When to Consider Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic procedures are proper for people who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smile. If you want to enhance your smile’s look, you should consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist.
The Role of Combined Treatments
Some dental procedures are designed to address both functional and aesthetic needs. If you received dental fillings, crowns, or other restorative procedures, you can also improve your smile’s appearance by getting veneers or teeth whitening.
Conclusion
Both general and cosmetic dentistry play important roles in maintaining and improving oral health. General dentistry focuses on the prevention and treatment of common dental issues, ensuring long-term dental health. Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, enhances the appearance of your smile, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
At Woodbridge Smiles Centre, we have gathered all the skilled restorative and cosmetic dentists to improve the health and aesthetics of your smile. All the services are affordable and reasonably priced. In addition to premium general procedures, top cosmetic dentistry trends are available, especially for those with an important event like a wedding ahead. Woodbridge offers the best cosmetic dentistry for brides, ensuring you shine on your wedding day.
Book your appointment with our experienced team right away!
FAQs
1. What is the difference between general and cosmetic dentistry?
General dentistry focuses on maintaining oral health through preventative care, diagnosis, and treatment of common dental issues, while cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the appearance of teeth, gums, and smiles.
2. Are cosmetic dental procedures covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures unless they are medically necessary (e.g., reconstructive surgery after injury), but some may cover part of the cost for procedures like crowns or fillings that serve both cosmetic and functional purposes.
3. What is the cost of cosmetic dental procedures?
Costs can vary widely depending on the procedure, ranging from a few hundred dollars for teeth whitening to several thousand dollars for more complex treatments like veneers or full smile makeovers.
4. Do general dentists offer cosmetic dental services?
Many general dentists offer cosmetic dental services, though some may refer patients to specialists in cosmetic dentistry for more complex procedures.
5. Is cosmetic dentistry just for appearance, or does it improve dental health?
Cosmetic dentistry primarily focuses on appearance, but many procedures, such as crowns or bonding, can also improve dental health by restoring function and protecting damaged teeth.
