Along with a spring teeth cleaning, you may want some cosmetic dental work. This extra treatment would make your grin more gorgeous and suit the warmer season. With that said, there’s a key question you’ll need to address first: Can a general dentist do cosmetic dentistry? You won’t get very good treatment results without knowing its answer. So, here’s a primer on whether general dentists can do cosmetic dentistry from your Mercerville dental practice.
Context: General vs. Cosmetic Dentistry
Before anything else, you’ll need to know how general and cosmetic dentistry differ. You won’t grasp the answer to your question otherwise.
General dentistry (per its name) mainly focuses on oral healthcare. To that extent, general dentists tend to perform routine dental exams, teeth cleanings, and other preventive treatments. They’ll also provide patients with dental fillings and crowns to keep pre-existing decay from getting worse.
In contrast, cosmetic dentistry aims to improve your smile’s looks. It uses general dental knowledge and methods to enhance the appearance of your teeth and gums. For example, a dedicated cosmetic dentist may perform procedures that remove tooth stains, hide chips and cracks, and more.
The points above show that general dentists can do cosmetic dentistry. They have the necessary knowledge, so whether they perform aesthetic services depends on their interest and focus.
Pick a Dentist with the Right Qualities
While a general dentist can do cosmetic dental work, you should still be careful when choosing a treatment provider. To achieve your aesthetic goals, you’ll need a dentist with the following traits:
Proper Training
All general dentists must earn a doctoral dental degree – a DDM, DDS, etc. However, only those with specialized cosmetic training will provide good cosmetic results. Examples of such training would include postgraduate programs in aesthetic dentistry, continuing education with a cosmetics-focused organization, etc.
Affordable Cost
To be honest, cosmetic dentistry is pricier than the general kind. Dentists offering it will charge higher prices due to the superior methods and materials involved. Given that fact, you’ll need to ensure your general dentist provides cosmetic options you can afford.
Personalized Results
Cosmetic dentistry is about your looks, so your preferred general dentist should provide personalized results. Their treatments won’t help much if they take a general, one-size-fits-all approach to your smile. Every grin has its own flaws, so overly formulaic methods won’t address these distinct cosmetic faults.
Cosmetic Work General Dentists Can Do
If you pick a general dentist for cosmetic work, expect them to have several aesthetic services. The most popular of these are:
- Teeth Whitening
- Cosmetic Dental Bonding
- Metal-Free Restorations
- Porcelain Veneers
Since a general dentist can do cosmetic dentistry, don’t delay your treatment. See your local dental provider for a transformed smile soon!
About the Author
Dr. Brian Lavery is a dentist based in Mercerville, NJ, having earned his dental degree from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He and his team have been helping patients smile for over 40 years! In that time, his expertise has grown to include preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental work, ensuring he’s able to treat nearly any oral issue. Today, Dr. Lavery practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (609)-588-5600.