General Dentist vs. Cosmetic Dentist

General Dentist vs. Cosmetic Dentist

At least 74.7% of Canadians see a dentist every year. They recognize how important oral health is and the necessity of finding a professional to help maintain it.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Cole Harbour, you may be overwhelmed by all the different types you have to choose from. They may have any number of different specialties with confusing names.

Cosmetic and general dentists are two of the most common and cover a wide range of services. Read on to learn the differences between them and how to find the best one.

General Dentist

If you start looking for a dentist in Cole Harbour, a general dentist is one of the first types you’ll find. They provide for all your basic dental care needs, including:

  • Diagnosing and treating oral diseases
  • Cleanings
  • Oral cancer screenings
  • Examining and interpreting x-rays
  • Filling cavities
  • Tooth extractions
  • Root canals
  • Fitting mouthguards and sealants
  • Fluoride treatments

The minimum educational requirement is obtaining one of 2 degrees; DDS or Doctor of Dental Surgery or DMD or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. They’re basically the same, but universities may use one title or the other.

A general dentist may also specialize in certain areas. There are several recognized specialties, including:

  • Dental anesthesiology
  • Dental public health
  • Endodontics
  • Oral and maxillofacial pathology, radiology, or surgery
  • Oral medicine
  • Orofacial pain
  • Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
  • Pediatric dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Prosthodontics

Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic dentists need a DDS or DDM degree, just like a general dentist. They can provide many of the same dentistry services such as x-rays, cleanings, and cavity fillings.

The difference is that they have the extra education and experience to complete additional procedures that will improve the look of your smile. These include:

  • Teeth whitening
  • Implants, crowns, and bridges
  • Teeth bonding
  • Veneers
  • Inlays and onlays
  • Dentures

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty, but it can be learned through a specialized training course. It can take years of extra work but patients know they can trust them with the look of their smile.

Cosmetic treatments are more than just a vanity project. They can also have several benefits for your oral health. They prevent issues such as damage to your teeth or jaw bone or digestive problems from failure to chew your food.

Approximately 64.6% of Canadians have dental insurance to help cover all or part of their expenses. Most policies don’t cover cosmetic procedures unless they help restore or protect your teeth.

Finding a Dentist in Cole Harbor

Finding a dentist with experience in the procedures you need can be difficult, but knowing the differences in their specialties helps you choose the right one.

General dentistry covers the types of services most patients think of when they think of dental care. This includes cleanings, extractions, and cavity fillings.

Cosmetic dentists focus on improving the look of your smile with elective procedures such as whitenings, implants, and crowns.

02 Dental is the place to go if you’re looking for a dentist in Cole Harbour that offers cosmetic and general services. Contact us today for your dental care needs.