Are General And Cosmetic Dentists The Same?

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.