When you are choosing a dentist, you might wonder about the differences between cosmetic and general dentists. Which type of dental professional you choose will usually depend on your goals regarding oral health and appearance.
What Does a General Dentist Do?
General dentistry focuses on preventing and treating dental disease. These fully trained professionals will help you with dental procedures like these:
- ● Treating and preventing gum disease
- ● Filling cavities in a decaying tooth
- ● Root canals, caps, and crowns
- ● Teeth cleaning and X-rays
- ● Replacing missing teeth
What Does a Cosmetic Dentist Do?
When the dental problems you would like to correct require cosmetic procedures, you will probably choose to visit a cosmetic dentist. In addition to performing needed treatments to diagnose, prevent, or treat dental diseases, your cosmetic dentist has advanced training in these kinds of procedures:
- ● Teeth whitening
- ● Porcelain veneers
- ● Dental bonding
- ● Dental crowns and bridges
- ● Inlays and Onlays
- ● Dental implants
- ● New and innovative cosmetic treatments
What Training Does a General Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist Receive?
Both general or family dentists and cosmetic dentists have graduated from an accredited dental school and hold either a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) degree. This training prepares an individual for a career as a general dentist.
Cosmetic dentists go on to complete specialized training in the art and science of cosmetic dentistry. Because the field is always changing and advancing, top cosmetic dentists must continue to study new techniques and master new technology to bring the latest in aesthetic improvements to their clients.
Where General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry Mix
There are a number of ways that general and cosmetic dentistry overlap and some general dentists perform some of the same procedures but for the purposes of treating or preventing dental disease. Some procedures that can be done for either purpose include:
- ● Dental veneers, which can prevent a weak tooth from further damage
- ● Tooth bonding, which can also be used to repair decayed teeth
- ● Replacement of teeth to correct the bite or restore function
- ● Tooth extractions, which can treat disease or for aesthetic reasons
Cosmetic Dentistry Is as Much an Art as a Science
While any well-trained dentist can master the techniques needed, the application of those procedures to improve your smile and appearance is more of an art form. This allows some cosmetic dentists to create truly amazing results with the application of the right combination of procedures designed around your specific preferences.
Not all practitioners of cosmetic dentistry can produce the results that discerning people and celebrities require. Checking into the background and portfolio of a cosmetic dentist before you commit to improving your smile can help you choose one with the skills needed to achieve the results you want.
Selecting the Best Cosmetic and General Dentist
For the best possible results, select one of the top cosmetic dentists that also perform general dentistry, in your area. Many patients choose to travel to work with a reputable and respected cosmetic dentist like Dr. Joseph Goodman. Dr. Goodman owns and operates the Top Beverly Hills Dentist practice and has been voted “best dentist” and “top dentist” in the area for the past several years.
Dr. Goodman has been featured in numerous articles and television shows, works alongside the Dr. Phil Show, and lectures internationally on cosmetic dentistry. When the results truly matter to your career and satisfaction, schedule a consultation at Top Beverly Hills Dentist and choose only the best for your winning smile.