What’s the Difference Between a Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist?

Kingston TN

Dentists and cosmetic dentists are both professionals who are dedicated to enhancing smiles and improving oral health, but their areas of expertise are different. Let’s take a look at some of those differences today:

General dentist

Your dentist is the primary healthcare provider for your mouth, teeth and gums. They are trained to diagnose, treat and prevent oral diseases and conditions. Dentists handle routine check-ups and cleanings with patients twice a year. They’re also responsible for cleanings, cavity fillings, root canals, gum disease treatment and other general dental procedures.

A dentist’s role includes:

1. Preventative care — Our Kingston family dentist emphasizes preventative care, including proper oral hygiene practices like brushing twice a day, flossing daily and maintaining routine checkups at our office twice a year.
2. Restorative dentistry — In the event of tooth decay, cavities or damaged teeth, our general dentist in Harriman can restore function and health to your teeth and gums through treatments like fillings, crowns and root canals.
3. Oral disease diagnosis/treatment — General dentists like ours in Rockwood are trained to diagnose and treat oral health conditions, including gum disease, oral cancer and infections. When patients stay on top of routine checkups every six months, it allows us to detect and treat issues early.
4. Oral health maintenance — Dentists specialize in the overall health of the mouth, including the teeth, gums and jaw. Our dentist also provides treatment for conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ or TMD), a disorder of the jaw joints, and sleep apnea, a common but dangerous sleep-breathing disorder characterized by loud snoring or pauses in breathing and gasping for air at night.

Cosmetic dentist

While dentists focus primarily on oral health maintenance and treatment, cosmetic dentists undergo additional education and training to be able to perform cosmetic dental procedures that can drastically improve a smile by correcting, straightening and whitening the teeth.

A cosmetic dentist’s role includes:

1. Smile enhancement — Through procedures like teeth whitening, porcelain veneers and dental bonding or orthodontic treatments like Invisalign, cosmetic dentists enhance a smile’s appearance.
2. Aesthetic restorations — Our cosmetic dentist in Harriman uses advanced techniques and materials to create natural-looking restorations that blend seamlessly with a patient’s smile. Perhaps a patient wants to replace a metal filling with a tooth-colored filling or a porcelain crown for a more aesthetically pleasing result. This is among the specialties of a cosmetic dentist.
3. Smile makeovers — If a patient wants to combine more than one cosmetic treatment to address concerns about his or her smile, we call that a smile makeover: a comprehensive, custom-designed treatment plan that can completely transform a smile. Utilizing a combination of procedures, such as whitening, orthodontics, dental bonding or porcelain veneers, our Rockwood cosmetic dentist can dramatically improve the appearance of the teeth, gums and overall smile aesthetics.
4. Patient-centered approach — Cosmetic dentistry is a very personal experience. Our Kingston cosmetic dentist prioritizes patient satisfaction, working closely with you to understand your unique goals and concerns. We then tailor our treatment plan to meet your specific needs and preferences, ensuring a personalized and rewarding experience.

Cosmetic dentistry in Kingston, Harriman and Rockwood, TN

Both general and cosmetic dentists are dedicated to patient oral health and improving smiles, but their roles differ in focus and expertise. By understanding the distinctions between these two professions, we hope to help you make informed decisions about your dental care needs and goals. If we can help in any way, give LakeView Dental Arts a call at (865) 248-2199, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.