General Dentistry Vs Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s the Difference?

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One of the most common questions in the field of dentistry is - what is the difference between general and cosmetic dentistry? These terms may seem similar to each other; however, that is not the case. General dentistry is a broad umbrella that covers several types of treatment. At the same time, cosmetic dentistry covers dental treatment options that focus on visual appearance. 

However, you may not understand the difference between them simply from their definitions. We have listed the difference between general and cosmetic dentistry to understand these concepts. 

What is General Dentistry? 

As the term suggests, general dentistry deals with preventing and treating oral diseases. It deals with issues related to pain, discomfort, and oral hygiene. Some examples of general dentistry include root canals, filling cavities, and tooth extractions. If you are looking for general dentistry in Rockport tx, contact Allwyn Dental clinic. They offer all general dentistry treatment options at affordable rates. 

What is Cosmetic Dentistry? 

Cosmetic dentistry deals with the overall aesthetic appearnce of teeth. So as the name suggests, it deals with the looks of your face and less on the health aspect. So, if you want to make your teeth look better - be it through teeth whitening or bonding, you can go for a cosmetic dental treatment option. Some other examples of cosmetic dentistry treatment options include porcelain veneers, inlays, and onlays, implants, dentures, teeth color fillings, using braces for your teeth, etc. 

Read Also: 5 dental problems to be treated by cosmetic dentistry

Now that we know what general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are, it’s time to dig a little deeper. Let’s understand a few key differences between these two terms. 

What Is the Difference Between Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry?

As stated earlier, from their definitions, both these terms differ. However, they may sometimes overlap each other in specific conditions. For instance, if a patient comes with a decayed tooth, the doctor may need to extract the tooth to prevent the tooth from further decaying. However, after the patient undergoes a tooth extraction, the smile changes. The patient may go for a porcelain veneer to replace the missing tooth. Here’s when cosmetic dentistry comes into the picture. 

Let us look at a few key differences: 

● Cosmetic dentistry treatment options cost more than general dentistry treatment options. 

● Cosmetic dentistry solely focuses on enhancing the patient’s smile. 

● Cosmetic dentistry is involved when a tooth or tissue is not impaired 

A dentist that can perform general dentistry treatment can also perform cosmetic dentistry treatment options. However, a cosmetic dentist will have gone to study enhancing a patient’s facial appearance. But both general and cosmetic dentists have either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree.

Conclusion 

Hopefully, you now know the difference between general and cosmetic dentistry. If you are looking for several dental treatment options and find yourself confused, contact Allwyn Dental. Their expert doctors will help you find the right treatment option for you. Plus, they will find a treatment that is affordable too. So, if you want to straighten your crooked teeth or make them white, or simply go for a regular dental check-up, reach out to the clinic.