The Key Differences between Preventive and Cosmetic Dentistry

Although every dental professional’s primary goal is your mouth’s healthy structure and function, there are many specialties within their field. During the typical bi-monthly appointments with dental professionals, preventive dentistry usually occurs. With appropriate preventive dental care, many clients can avoid the referrals to more expensive and invasive restorative or cosmetic treatments.

As pointed out earlier, there are many specializations in dentistry, but only preventive and cosmetic dentistry will be discussed in this article. Continue reading to learn more about these fields.

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is likewise called preventative or general dentistry. As the name suggests, it implies any methods to avoid having oral concerns. You typically come across the term at a dental clinic or being talked about online; it’s not a very common term to regular people due to the scientific nature it encompasses.

The primary focus of preventive dentistry is to keep you from having any oral concerns like tartar, periodontal disease, and other oral health issues. You might be practicing good dental hygiene in your home to keep your teeth healthy, but there are several things that only your dentist can handle to maintain excellent oral health.

Most dental health service professionals recommend dental examinations every six months; at these consultations, your dentist will likely carry out the following procedures:

Examine your teeth, gum tissues, tongue, and other mouth areas for any problems.
Perform dental cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar deposits.
Screening for indications of oral cancer and other health conditions.
If needed, may apply specialized procedures such as fluoride treatment.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry deals with improving the general appearance of your teeth. Although the treatments are usually optional rather than a requirement, some procedures can also provide restorative advantages. Here are some standard cosmetic procedures:

Inlays and Onlays – this treatment is likewise referred to as indirect fillings, which a dental laboratory makes. This is used when a tooth has mild to moderate decay and insufficient structure to support filling. However, if a significant section of the tooth is damaged, dental onlay is used to cover the tooth’s entire surface.
Bonding – refers to repairing decayed, damaged, or tarnished teeth using a material with the same enamel color. The treatment includes drilling out the tooth decay, applying the composite on the tooth’s surface, and rounding off with high-intensity light curing.
Veneers – usually made from medical-grade ceramic, dental veneers are customized caps that go over your natural teeth. It looks so realistic that it’s often used to resolve cosmetic issues such as uneven or fractured teeth, noticeable gaps between two teeth, etc.
Teeth Whitening – teeth might get a darker discoloration from foods, drinks, or clinical conditions over the years. A dental hygienist will initially get rid of plaque, tartar, and other particles from your teeth; to resolve discoloration, the hygienist will apply some bleach agents to achieve a lighter shade than the previous shade of your teeth.
Braces – aim to straighten out uneven teeth because straighter teeth are often healthier and easier to look after. Orthodontists typically use metal materials for braces to slowly tighten up teeth back.
Implants – dental implants Southampton PA, are used to replace lost or damaged teeth. A small titanium screw is inserted into the jaw at the gap site; this supports the crown. These implants are virtually indistinguishable from surrounding natural teeth.

Conclusion

Many dentists practice preventative or general dentistry; some specialize further in cosmetic, restorative, or implant dentistry. Going to an appointment with dentists could be a little intimidating. Nonetheless, a little research on what they do and what to expect for specific treatments will help you loosen up, and you’re less likely to imagine a painful process.

A good dentist will always be conscious that you don’t have stressful experiences because he always wants you to return and entrust your oral care to him.