General dentists are the main providers of dental care to people of all ages and as such, the most common dental care providers are general dentists, who make up about 80 percent of practitioners.
A general dentist is your primary care dental provider. This arm of dentistry makes a diagnosis, treats you, and manages your overall oral health care needs. This also includes, and is not limited to gum care, root canals, fillings, and oral preventive education. Even though their name sounds “General”, however, these dentists still carry out some specialized procedures and refer the ones that they may not be able to handle to other dental specialists.
Unlike specialists, like orthodontists or pediatric dentists, who are mostly focused on a particular aspect of the dental practice, general dentists provide a wide array of services that are vital to your continued health, including:
Preventive services — These help you maintain good oral health by stopping disease before it takes hold in your mouth. Regular exams (including diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional teeth cleanings are a cornerstone of prevention.
Restorative Services —Probably the most common (and highly effective) dental restoration involves removing tooth decay and placing a filling in the affected tooth. But that’s not the only restorative procedure general dentists provide. They get to refer you to a place to go when you need prompt treatment for dental trauma—for example, a broken, loosened, or knocked-out tooth. Can be direct or indirect. Direct restorations are repairs made inside the mouth (e.g., cavity fillings). These restorations are also usually placed within one office visit.
General dentists also offer indirect restoration procedures (materials made outside of the mouth based on an individual’s teeth impressions). However, unlike direct restoration options, they require at least two dental visits. Composite is a tooth-colored, adhesive bonding material made of acrylic resin. Composite is one of the most common restorative materials for cavity fillings, dental bonds, inlays, and veneers. Amalgam is a mixture of up to 54 percent mercury with silver, tin, and copper. This material is commonly used to restore teeth (premolars and molars).
Cosmetic Procedures — Many general dentists can help you get the sparkling smile you’ve always wanted with a range of cosmetic procedures. These include teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding—even porcelain veneers. If a brighter smile is what you’re looking for, ask your general dentist about a smile makeover.
Common General Dentist Services include:
Dental exams and teeth cleanings, X-rays, cavity fillings, root canal treatment, oral cancer screenings, tooth sealants, fluoride treatment, cosmetic dentistry procedures, and minor oral surgeries, such as tooth extractions. Other treatments could include: root canal treatment, sleep apnea treatment, gingivitis treatment, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) treatment, and screening for oral cancer.
General complete undergraduate education, and then complete four years at an accredited dental school. In addition to fulfilling the requirements of state licensing boards.
In addition to their standard training, some general dentists receive special training in particular areas—for example, implant placement, cosmetic procedures, or other therapies.
The American Dental Association recommends visiting a dentist every six months for preventative services—and otherwise, whenever you have concerns about your oral health, especially when there are symptoms such as a toothache or bleeding gums. As such, visit a General Dentist near you as soon as possible.
Depending on individual circumstances, your dentist may want to see you twice a year, every three months, or another interval. Whatever it is, honor the appointments as it’s all in your best interest. Keeping up with the recommended schedule of preventive treatment and practicing effective oral hygiene at home are the two best ways to prevent dental disease.
You can visit Arc 32 Family dentistry, to see a General Dentist in health, TX.