What Does General Dentistry Entail?
General dentists make up about 80 percent of practitioners, thus making them the commonest dental care providers. By definition, dentistry is the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the body’s oral and maxillofacial region according to the ADA, American Dental Association.
A general dentist provides dental care to people of all ages, during which a routine visit will involve having a thorough examination of the mouth, a professional cleaning, and a discussion about both dental and overall health.
One of the frequently asked questions includes the difference between a general dentist and other practitioners, and also what their functions are. This article will attempt to address these questions to a good extent.
Who Is A General Dentist?
General Dental Service sees general dentists getting to perform most dental procedures except complicated and advanced dental procedures which require additional training, degrees, or certifications. They diagnose and recognize the early stages of dental disease in the patient’s mouth and the go-ahead to treat such disease before it progresses to a complex stage. General Dentists also remain in close contact with their patients for educational purposes, and to help with their oral hygiene at home, which will therefore help to prevent a future disease occurrence.
What Are The Qualifications Of General Dentists?
General dentistry involves the completion of undergraduate education of four years at an accredited dental school, fulfilling the requirements of state licensing boards. In addition to this standard training, some general dentists decide to receive special training in particular areas such as implant placement, cosmetic procedures, amongst others.
Some Tooth Conditions Treated by General Dentists:
- Tooth Decay
- Dental Abscess
- Toothaches
- Plaque formation
- Cracked Tooth
- Teeth Stains
- Broken Tooth
- Sensitive Teeth
- Chipped Tooth.
Procedures Done In General Dentistry.
As said earlier that there appears a bit of confusion as to what general dentists do, below are some of the procedures done in general dental service. These services are both restorative, cosmetic, and preventative, and some of which include:
- Cleanings & Oral Exams: So, you keep your teeth and gums healthy, and catch early signs of dental disease. This is done during dental visits.
- Crowns & Bridgework: Done to replace missing teeth lost and/or tooth structure.
- Dental Implants: For replacement teeth that last forever.
- Oral Cancer Screenings: Done to detect a dangerous disease that can be cured if caught early.
- Orthodontics: Cosmetic procedure done to straighten teeth.
- Fillings: Helps to restore decayed teeth.
- Sealants: Are given to help prevent cavities.
- TMD Treatment: for pain in the jaw or temporomandibular area which interferes with biting and chewing.
- Removable Dentures: Done to improve your smile.
- Root Canal Treatment: Inserted to rescue diseased teeth.
- Extractions: Done to remove unhealthy teeth that cannot be salvaged.
- Tooth Decay Prevention: So your natural teeth can be kept for as long as possible.
And many more.
If you desire the services of a general dentist near you, or you seek a general dentist in Heath, TX, then you can be assured of premium general dental service at arc 32 family dentistry.
When You Should See The Dentist.
The recommendation is every six months for preventative services, and for otherwise, whenever you have a concern about your oral health, such as having a toothache or bleeding gums or something in your mouth that needs attention. If it is for a cosmetic indication, ensure you visit the dental office. We are open 24/7 at arc 32 family dentistry.
For routine dental appointments, it depends on individual circumstances and your dentist may decide to see you twice a year, every three months, or whatever he/she chooses. However, it is advised that you keep up with the recommended schedule of preventive treatment drawn up by your general dentist and also practice effective oral hygiene at home, which are the two best ways to prevent dental disease.