Understanding the Differences Between General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Understanding the key similarities and distinctions between general and cosmetic dentistry can help you determine which type of dentist and dental service is right for you. Consult our dental professionals for more information about general and cosmetic dentistry services.

General Dentistry

General dentistry primarily focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating various oral diseases and maintaining overall dental health. Regular visits to a general dentist, at least once or twice a year, are essential for maintaining oral hygiene and catching potential issues before they develop into more significant problems.

Common General Dentistry Services

These services are essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Regular check-ups allow dentists to manage any changes in your dental health and provide timely treatments.

• Teeth Cleaning: Regular cleaning sessions to remove plaque and tartar that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
• Scaling and Polishing: A deeper clean that tackles hard-to-reach areas, helping prevent periodontal issues.
• Dental Fillings: These are applied to restore decayed teeth and prevent further decay.
• Oral Exams: Comprehensive examinations to assess overall oral health and hygiene.
• Root Canal Therapy: Treatment to save an infected or decayed tooth, alleviating pain and removing the infection.
• Tooth Extractions: Removal of teeth that are severely decayed, damaged, or causing crowding.
• Dental Sealants: Application of a protective coating to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent decay.
• Fluoride Treatments: Professional treatments to strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of cavities.
• Gum Disease Treatment: Procedures to treat various stages of gum disease, from gingivitis to more advanced periodontitis.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Where general dentistry focuses on dental health, cosmetic dentistry concentrates on the aesthetic appearance of your teeth. If you want to enhance your smile, cosmetic dentistry services at BDMS Wellness Clinic might be what you need.

Common Cosmetic Dentistry Services

Cosmetic procedures can improve how your teeth look and contribute to functional improvements. For example, aligning teeth properly can aid in better chewing and digestion.

• Teeth Whitening: Easily one of the most popular cosmetic services. It’s perfect for removing stains and enhancing the brightness of teeth.
• Porcelain Veneers: These involve covering the front surface of teeth with thin shells to improve their appearance. They can also correct chips, stains, or gaps.
• Dental Bonding: A resin applied to teeth to correct imperfections like minor gaps, chips, or cracks. 
• Composite Bonding: A tooth-colored composite resin attached to teeth to improve appearance and strength.
• Braces: Devices used to correct alignment issues, straighten teeth, and improve overall oral function and appearance. Braces can be traditional metal, ceramic, or clear aligners, depending on the patient’s needs.
• Dental Implants: Permanent solutions for missing teeth involving surgical placement of a titanium post in the jawbone, topped with a crown or bridge to mimic natural teeth. Dental implants provide both cosmetic improvement and functional benefits like improved speech and easier eating.
• Inlays and Onlays: These are used when old fillings need to be removed or replaced, improving the appearance and restoring the strength of the tooth.
• Dental Crowns: Caps placed over damaged teeth to restore their shape, size, strength, and appearance.
• Full Mouth Reconstruction: Necessary when the teeth are worn down, missing, or require significant restoration both functionally and cosmetically.

Are Cosmetic Dentistry Services Purely Aesthetic?

While the primary goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve dental appearance, many treatments are also restorative. For instance, while porcelain veneers are typically used for their aesthetic benefits, they also protect the surface of damaged teeth. They help reinforce weak teeth and prevent further damage like cracks or decay.

Dental crowns can be considered both a general and cosmetic treatment since they enhance the look of broken or decayed teeth. Functionally, they restore a tooth’s strength, shape, and size for proper bite alignment and to restore chewing capability.

While orthodontic treatments such as braces and clear aligners typically improve one’s smile by straightening teeth, they also correct malocclusions (bad bites). Properly aligned teeth reduce the risk of jaw pain, uneven wear on teeth, and difficulty speaking and eating.

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth, restore your smile, preserve facial structure, and prevent bone loss. Functionally, they allow for normal speaking and eating, which are severely affected by tooth loss.

Such treatments can restore and maintain overall oral health, improve food intake, and boost self-esteem, which affects a person’s well-being.

Consult Our Dental Specialists

At BDMS Wellness Clinic, we blend the latest technology with the expertise of highly trained dental specialists to provide excellent general and cosmetic dentistry services. 

Our dentists are accredited professionals trained in the latest dental care techniques. They’re adept at using advanced technology and state-of-the-art equipment for precise and effective treatments. We offer personalized care to ensure patients receive a customized treatment plan.

Understanding the differences between general and cosmetic dentistry can help you make better choices about your dental care. Whether you need routine dental care or want to enhance your smile, BDMS Wellness Clinic provides comprehensive services to meet your needs.

Consult our dental specialists at BDMS Wellness Clinic to learn more.