What Are The Difference Between A General Dentist And A Cosmetic Dentist?
Many people are under the impression that a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist are the exact same kind of dental professional. When it comes to the care of the teeth, people often go to a general dentist thinking that this professional can take care of everything involving the teeth, but this assumption is incorrect. There are a few major differences between a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist, and knowing the difference between the two different dental professionals can make a big difference in both the health and appearance of someone’s teeth.
There are many reasons why people seek out a dentist. A person may have a cavityor just make an appointment very six months for a regular checkup. However, what people may not realize is that a general dentist is only able to perform simple basic dental care such as teeth cleaning, filling cavities, performing root canals, and other basic treatments that are specifically for the care and health of the teeth and gums.
Maintenance versus Aesthetics – What a Cosmetic Dentist Does
Like a regular dentist, a cosmetic dentist Austin has to go to school to learn all about the proper care and treatment of teeth. However, cosmetic dentistry is a lot different than general dentistry. A general dentist may specialize in health, but and a cosmetic dentist Austin has to get more training in order to perform these treatments that are designed to enhance the appearance of the teeth:
- Teeth whitening: A general dentist can treat the problems of the teeth, but if a person goes to see a regular dentist about making their smile whiter, the general dentist will not be able to do anything about that and recommend they go see a cosmetic dentist. To get a whiter smile, a cosmetic dentist will only need one to three hours for the whitening procedure.
- Tooth bonding: A person may have teeth that are full of gaps or holes that can be the result of either decay or a mishap that might have taken a piece of the tooth out. Bonding the teeth can restore them their appearance and even correct problems like gaps or misaligned teeth.
- Dental crowns: Another option a person may have is to have a crown placed over a tooth that has severe decay in order to preserve the appearance and use of that tooth.
There are many differences between a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist that people may not be aware of. The biggest difference to remember is that a general dentist takes care of healthy teeth and gums, but a cosmetic dentist Austin is to make those healthy teeth look their best and whitest.
