March 28, 2024

Preventive and Cosmetic Dentistry: How Do They Differ?

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

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

Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dentistry is also called preventative or general dentistry. As the name suggests, it means any techniques to prevent having oral problems. You typically come across the term at dental clinic services or being discussed online; it’s not very common for regular people because of its clinical nature.

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

Many dentists advise dental checkups every six months; at these appointments, your dentist will likely perform the following procedures:

  • Examine your teeth, gum tissues, tongue, and other mouth areas for any issues.
  • Conduct dental cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar deposits.
  • Perform screening for indications of oral cancer and other health conditions.
  • May suggest applying specialized procedures such as fluoride treatment.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry deals with improving the general appearance of your teeth. Although the procedures are generally optional instead of a requirement, some treatments can provide restorative benefits. 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 employed when a tooth has a mild to moderate degeneration and inadequate structure to support filling. However, if a considerable 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 shade. The treatment includes drilling out the dental cavity, applying the composite on the tooth’s surface, and finishing off with high-intensity light curing.
  • Veneers – customarily made from medical-grade ceramic, dental veneers are custom-made caps that go over your natural teeth. It looks so realistic that it’s often used to solve cosmetic issues such as jagged or broken teeth, noticeable gaps between two teeth, etc.
  • Teeth Whitening – teeth may get a darker discoloration from foods, beverages, or medical 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 color than the previous color of your teeth.
  • Braces – the goal is to straighten crooked teeth because straighter teeth are often healthier and easier to take care of. An orthodontist Southampton, usually uses metal materials for braces to tighten up teeth back gradually.
  • Implants – are used to replace lost or damaged teeth. A small titanium screw is inserted into the jaw at the gap site; this functions as a support to the crown. These implants are almost indistinguishable from surrounding natural teeth.

Conclusion

Many dentists practice preventive or general dentistry; some specialize further in cosmetic, restorative, or implant dentistry. Going to an appointment with dentists could be a little intimidating. Nevertheless, a little research on what they do and what to anticipate for particular procedures will help you relax, and you’re less likely to think of 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 dental care.