General Dentistry vs. Cosmetic Dentistry Explained

Danielle Kerrigan-Lowe
By Danielle Kerrigan-Lowe

Danielle is the Marketing Manager for ConsultingRoom.com, the UK’s largest aesthetic information website. 

When it comes to dental care, there are various branches of dentistry that cater to different aspects of oral health. Two commonly confused branches are general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. While both are focused on improving oral health and enhancing smiles, they have distinct differences in their goals, treatments, and approaches.

In this blog, we will explore the key differences between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry.

General Dentistry: Focused on Oral Health
 
General dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health and treating common dental issues. General dentists are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral infections. They provide routine dental care, including cleanings, fillings, root canals, and extractions. General dentists also monitor and manage overall oral health, including the jaw, bite, and oral tissues.
 
The primary goal of general dentistry is to maintain healthy teeth and gums, prevent dental problems, and ensure optimal oral health. General dentists are trained to identify early signs of dental issues and provide timely treatment to prevent them from progressing into more severe conditions. They may also provide education and guidance on oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle habits to promote good oral health.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Enhancing the Aesthetics of the Smile

Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, is focused on improving the appearance of the teeth and smile. Cosmetic dentists are trained to enhance the aesthetics of the teeth, gums, and bites using various techniques and procedures.
 
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are elective and not medically necessary, as they primarily focus on enhancing the appearance of the smile rather than treating dental issues.
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Cosmetic dentistry offers a wide range of treatments to improve the aesthetics of the smile, including teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding, orthodontics, and dental implants. These procedures are designed to correct cosmetic concerns such as stained or discoloured teeth, misaligned teeth, gaps between teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, and missing teeth.
 
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to create a more attractive smile, boost self-confidence, and enhance the overall appearance of the teeth and gums. Cosmetic dentists use their artistic skills and dental expertise to create natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing results that align with the patient's desires and facial features.
 
Understanding the Differences
 
While general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry share some similarities, they have distinct differences in their goals, treatments, and approaches. General dentistry focuses on maintaining oral health, treating dental issues, and preventing oral problems, while cosmetic dentistry is geared towards enhancing the aesthetics of the smile.
 
General dentists are trained to provide routine dental care and address oral health concerns, while cosmetic dentists specialize in improving the appearance of the teeth and smile. General dentistry treatments are typically medically necessary, while cosmetic dentistry treatments are elective and aimed at enhancing the patient's appearance and self-confidence.
 
In some cases, general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry may overlap, as some procedures can have both functional and aesthetic benefits. For example, dental fillings can restore tooth structure while also improving the appearance of the tooth. However, it's important to understand the distinctions between general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry to make informed decisions about the type of dental care that best meets your needs and goals.
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So, general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are two distinct branches of dentistry that have different goals, treatments, and approaches.
General dentistry focuses on maintaining oral health and treating dental issues, while cosmetic dentistry is aimed at enhancing the aesthetics of the smile.
 
By understanding the differences between these two branches of dentistry, you can make informed decisions about the type of dental care that is best suited for you.

If you want to read more, the experts at Consulting Room really know what they're talking about and have put together some teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding and dental implants FAQs just for you. 

If you have more questions, you can use the teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding and dental implants questions feature to talk to our panel of trained medical experts. 

If you're keen to get started with any of these treatments right away then you're in luck - those clever folks also have a list of trusted, accredited teeth whitening, veneers, dental bonding and dental implant clinics in your area.

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