Dentistry, also called oral or dental medicine, is a branch of medicine focussing on studying, diagnosing, and treating conditions or diseases that may affect your oral cavity and associated structures. The two main branches of dentistry are general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. Differentiating between general and cosmetic dentistry Westfield is essential for understanding the specific oral treatments you require. You can benefit from the simplest to the most complex dental treatments.
General Dentistry
A general dentist focuses on problems related to oral hygiene, pain, and discomfort. If you visit the clinic, your family dentist will likely subject you to a thorough oral examination, a discussion concerning your dental and general health, and dental cleaning.
Generally, a general dentist offers the following services.
1. Preventive services
The range of services you may get from the practice of general dentistry may assist in preventing decay, teeth and gum diseases, and maintaining the correct jaw structure.
Preventive services are essential to assist you in maintaining a healthy mouth by preventing attacks by oral diseases and infections.
Your general dentist may provide tips you can follow at home to maintain or improve your oral health and hygiene, like brushing twice a day.
2. Restorative services
Some standard services for restoring the function of your teeth a general dentist may perform are eliminating a decaying tooth and placing fillings on affected teeth. Also, a general dentist provides treatment for a dental injury, such as when you have a knocked-out or broken tooth.
You can also get dental treatments like dentures and crowns for missing teeth.
The bottom line is that a general dentist specializes in routine treatments and preventive care for your mouth. A general dentist may only perform basic dental cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening.
Cosmetic Dentistry
As a branch of oral medicine, cosmetic dentistry experts focus on enhancing the appearance of the teeth. That ensures that your teeth appear vibrant and you become more confident in smiling. Still, some procedures in cosmetic dentistry may help deliver more robust and functional teeth.
The best cosmetic dentist Chicago can perform all the dental treatments a general dentist offers.
The smile makeover procedures that can improve the aesthetics of your teeth include laser teeth whitening, dental implants, dental veneers, inlays and outlays, full mouth reconstruction, and root canal therapy.
For instance, laser teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that makes the shade of your teeth lighter and whiter without interfering with enamel structure. Teeth whitening removes plaque, tartar, and other substances stuck on the tooth surface to restore the natural appearance. Some foods and drinks that can stain your teeth gradually are tea, coffee, red wine, berries, and soda. Furthermore, some medications and poor lifestyle choices like smoking may also discolor your teeth.
You may also get complete mouth restoration or reconstruction from your cosmetic dentist. Unlike the cosmetic procedure of a full mouth makeover, mouth restoration delivers improved teeth appearance and repairs any existing oral issues like erosion of the enamel, decay, and cavities.
Contact Dental Studios today to book an appointment with a general and cosmetic dentistry specialist.