Everyone has had some contact with general dentistry at some point in their lives. If you think back far enough, you’ve probably had a few meetings with a general dentist as well. General dentists are the professionals that perform dental cleanings, exams, and fillings as needed. They are the primary dental care providers for people of all ages, and they are committed to improving your oral health. In this post, we will discuss what general dentistry is, what services are provided, and how frequently you should visit your Clanton pediatric dentistry at Bloor West Smiles.
What is general dentistry?
General dentistry includes the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral health problems. This means that general dentists are in charge of your routine checkups, examinations, cleanings, and restorations. They create personalized dental hygiene regimens for their patients, which include procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, and x-rays. Disease prevention is an important aspect of general dentistry. Diagnostic equipment and frequent exams enable general dentists to diagnose and address problems as early as feasible. Depending on the condition of your mouth, you may be referred to a specialist.
How do general dentists vary from specialists?
General dentists offer a wide range of treatments and procedures. Specialists, on the other hand, concentrate on a single area of dentistry. As a result, experts contribute a higher level of knowledge, competence, and skill to specific oral disorders that fall within their specializations.
What credentials do general dentists have?
All general dentists finish an undergraduate education followed by four years at a recognized dental school. Many dentists additionally receive specialized training in certain areas.
A Summary of General Dentistry Services
- Dental exams
- X-rays and teeth cleanings
- Oral cancer screenings
- Cavity fillings
- Inlays and onlays
- Fluoride therapy
- Tooth sealants
- Bridgework
- Gingivitis therapy
- Orthodontics (braces and clear aligners)
- Custom mouthguards
- TMD therapy with dentures
- root canal therapy
- Sleep apnea treatment
- Teeth whitening
- Porcelain veneers
- Wisdom teeth extraction
- Tooth extractions
Preventative Services
Preventing tooth decay and disease is a primary obligation of general dentists. This is accomplished by frequent checkups, diagnostic X-rays, and expert teeth cleanings. Your general dentist Alabaster AL will also screen you for oral cancer and may recommend dental sealants or fluoride treatments. Without a question, your at-home dental hygiene regimen has a significant impact on your oral health. As a result, general dentists also propose strategies to enhance your dental practices at home, which will help to keep your mouth happy and your smile bright. Mouthguards are an option for those who participate in sports or lead an active lifestyle. Custom mouthguards made by your dentist are essential for preventing tooth injury from sports.
Restoration Services
Restoration services include anything that restores the look and function of your teeth after damage, decay, or disease. One of the most common types of tooth restorations is cavity fillings. If your dentist finds tooth decay during one of your appointments, it has to be removed and a filling applied to the affected tooth. Dental crowns (caps that fit over damaged or missing teeth), dental implants, and inlays and onlays (a type of dental filling) are other forms of restoration services designed to treat missing or damaged teeth. Additionally, some dentists also provide treatments like bridgework, orthodontics (braces and clear aligners), and denture fittings.
Cosmetic Services
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your smile. A sparkling white smile can boost your confidence significantly, and your dentist can assist you in achieving this. General dentists provide a variety of cosmetic procedures such as tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, and cosmetic bonding. Over-the-counter teeth-whitening kits rarely produce the intended results and can harm your teeth in the process. As a result, you should always get expert teeth whitening from your regular dentist.
Minor Oral Surgery
General dentists can do minor oral surgery. For example, you can get a wisdom tooth removed or a tooth extracted without needing to see a specialist. A general dentist Alabaster AL can also do root canal therapy, which involves the removal of infected or inflamed soft tissue from the inside of a tooth.