What is the Difference Between a Dentist and a General Dentist?

Are you looking for a dental professional to take care of your family's oral health needs? If so, you may be wondering what the difference is between a dentist and a general dentist. It's essential to understand the distinction between the two so that you can make an informed decision about which type of dental practitioner is best for you and your family. A general dentist usually has age restrictions for patients, usually 16 to 18 years or older. The primary difference between the two is that a family dentist specializes in dental treatments for all ages.

Instead of visiting multiple dentists, you can take care of your family's dental needs in one convenient place. To comprehend a fundamental difference between dental care and orthodontics, you should know that not all dentists are orthodontists, but all orthodontists are dentists. General dentists are highly qualified professionals who care about the overall health, well-being, and beauty of your smile. Orthodontists are dentists who have received additional education to specialize in diagnosing, preventing, and correcting teeth and jaws that are out of position. While complete and long-lasting oral health is your dentist's primary concern, some of the services and treatments offered by dentists also help you achieve the beautiful smile you want to show to the world.

General dentists usually treat and focus only on adult teeth and adult dental conditions, while pediatric dentists usually treat only children's teeth (also known as baby teeth), mixed dentition (children with some baby teeth and some adult teeth), and sometimes adults with special needs. Developing a healthy relationship with your dentist is essential for the long-term health of your smile, as your dentist will be the first to notice specific changes that could indicate problem spots or needs for correction. Your dentist helps provide you with all the preventive care you need for better oral health, as well as the routine maintenance of your smile and the occasional cosmetic improvement. This requires additional attention, time, and sometimes patience for which a general dentist might not have received the same training as a pediatric dentist. If you need a specialized dental procedure, a general dentist can work with other dentists to help you address all your dental needs. Whatever the reason, before you decide on a dentist, it's important to consider whether you want a general dentist or a family dentist.

Whether you're looking for a comprehensive oral health dentist or one that can offer a wide range of cosmetic and orthodontic services, you'll find what you're looking for at Nirvana Dental.

Matilda Nguyen
Matilda Nguyen

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