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Are General And Cosmetic Dentists The Same?

Posted on October 15th, 2015 by

Most people know of general and cosmetic dentists, but don’t know the difference in the services offered. In essence, a general dentist focuses on the health of your smile, while a cosmetic dentist focuses on the appearance of your smile. A general dentist may do restorative procedures and will do cleanings and other necessities, and a cosmetic dentist handles restorative and nonessential procedures, such as implants, whitening and veneers. While all of these options can be restorative in nature, they aren’t deemed necessary for insurance purposes.
General
A general dentist can sometimes handle some aesthetic procedures, such as whitening and porcelain crowns. Therefore, you’ll want to talk with your dentist to find out what they offer and if they are qualified to handle your needs. Otherwise, you may need to visit a cosmetic dentist for the procedure you need.
Just remember that a general dentist will focus more on the health and not the look of your mouth. They will clean your teeth, check them for disease and offer procedures that will be necessary, such as root canals and dentures.
Cosmetic
Cosmetic dentists want to make your smile straighter, whiter and brighter. These professionals aren’t considered necessary, so may not be covered by insurance. They don’t focus so much on the health problems of your mouth, but rather, they focus on what they can do to make it a prettier smile.
Services offered by such dentists include Invisalign, a clear alternative to braces; veneers, small porcelain pieces that are attached to cracked, chipped or discolored teeth; and Zoom! whitening, to give you the bright and dazzling smile you need to make a great first impression.
Which One?
Which one you choose depends on your needs and your insurance. If you are willing and able to pay out of pocket for your procedures, you can choose any dentist you want. If you must stick with what your insurance allows, you’ll probably stick with a general dentist.
Art of Modern Dentistry covers all your general and cosmetic dentistry needs. Take a look at all our services here.

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I was a little hesitant to come here after reading some reviews on Yelp but decided to give it a try after being reassured by Millie (who is really sweet and pleasant) over the phone, and I'm really happy I did. The office is beautiful, modern, and clean, something that really makes a difference for me going to the dentist. They were very prompt, I didn't have
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Art of modern dentistry is an amazing place to get your teeth cleaned! Dr. Daftary is wonderful and funny. They have the best financial experts to help you get the treatment you need. I would recommend their services to my family and friends!
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I've been a Art of Modern Dentistry patient for almost a decade at both the South Loop and Lincoln Park locations. Currently I go to the LP office and have to say these are the bets dental pros in Chicago. From the hygienists, to the doctors, to the office staff everyone is professional, nice, and wonderful at their job.
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I was blown away by the warm energy that radiated from the staff. They made sure that I understood everything and knew what the cost would be before we moved forward. Each person took the time to sit with me and explain the process. These people clearly love their job, their co-workers, and have a passion for assisting their clients with their dental health.
~ Ashton McLean-Hall, Chicago, IL