When you go to visit a dentist for a routine checkup, many would call that general dentistry, but in reality, it’s more than just that. General dentistry involves a number of different services. If you care about your beautiful smile, you need to know about these and get your dentist to do it for you.
This guide should help you understand the different services that you get with general dentistry. That should help you decide which of these things you need to do for your oral health. Let’s get started.
Foundations of General Dentistry
You can think of general dentistry as an umbrella term. It’s prevention, diagnosis, and treatment all combined into one. A general dentistry provider makes sure your teeth and gums are in the best possible shape. If there are any issues, dealing with them and finding a solution for them falls under general dentistry.
To help give you a better idea, this section will cover some of the common general dentistry services. Hopefully, that should make it clearer.
Dental Examinations and Diagnostics
First off, general checkups. Routine checkups make up the majority of general dentistry. This requires the doctor to do a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. They also check for oral cavities, as those are some of the most common ailments that, if left untreated, could lead to more serious problems.
During this process, dentists will use different kinds of tools to reach the best diagnostic conclusion. It might involve X-rays or intraoral cameras to assess the situation inside your mouth.
Preventive Measures
While procedures are a part of general dentistry, there’s a lot of emphasis on prevention first. Alternatives such as fluoride treatment and dental sealants are preferred as opposed to extensive procedures like root canals. These also help prevent a lot of common oral diseases.
Restorative Procedures
However, if the damage is too extensive, then restorative procedures are the only options. For instance, issues like cavities are treated using fillings to protect the teeth against further decay. In severe cases, crowns and bridges are used to provide durable solutions. But if dentists can help it, they try to steer clear of these procedures and try to handle the issues with preventive measures.
Gum Health
Checking for gum health is also an important part. Periodontal cleaning and scaling are procedures that dentists recommend regularly. A solid gum is the foundation for healthy teeth.
Advanced General Dentistry Services
That covers the basic treatments related to general dentistry. But those aren’t the only ones. Different teeth problems require different treatments, you need to look at advanced dentistry treatments to get the complete picture.
Endodontic Treatments
The most common endodontic treatment that you may have heard of should be root canal therapy. This is an extensive procedure where the infected pulp is surgically removed to alleviate a patient’s pain.
Orthodontic Services
Dental aesthetics is a serious priority for a lot of people. Many out there are insecure about how they look because of their teeth. Common orthodontic procedures include braces and Invisalign to get teeth to the optimum positions.
Oral Surgery
A general dentist is trained to perform oral surgery procedures such as tooth extractions and wisdom teeth extractions. These address issues such as impacted teeth and severe decay. These treatments help to improve overall oral health.
Cosmetic Dentistry: A Part of General Dentistry
Cosmetic procedures are part of general dentistry, and they improve the aesthetic aspects of dental care. General dentists are in charge of providing these treatments. They can include teeth whitening, dental bonding, veneers, and lumineers. These not only improve the appearance of the smile but also boost confidence and well-being.
Specialized Services and Emerging Trends
Currently, in dentistry, we’re seeing a lot of emerging trends and treatments. As this guide is focused on understanding general dentistry, these are just as important.
Tele-dentistry and Technological Advancements
General dentists can now provide remote consultations and monitoring thanks to the integration of technology, including tele-dentistry. These consultations are done over the Internet over video calls to help dentists get an initial assessment of the patient’s condition.
Pediatric Dentistry
Children are the worst at maintaining their oral hygiene. This leads to them developing a plethora of dental problems from an early age. Pediatric dentistry is specialized care for children, with a focus on early intervention and education. Child-friendly approaches ensure that children have a positive dental experience, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good oral health habits.
Geriatric Dentistry
On the other end of the spectrum, we have the elderly population. General dentistry is responsible for providing tailored dental care to the aging population. Addressing specific issues such as dry mouth, tooth loss, and gum disease helps seniors maintain optimal oral health.
Finishing Up
By now, you should be able to tell that general dentistry extends far beyond routine cleanings. Instead, it offers a diverse range of services to maintain and enhance oral health. Hopefully, this guide was able to give you a general idea of the different aspects of general dentistry.
With all of this information, individuals can make better decisions about their oral health and secure a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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