Exploring the Different Types of Dentistry

Do you wish that you had a whiter or brighter smile? Are you concerned about tooth decay in your mouth? Are your teeth currently in good condition and not in need of any specialized dental care? There are many different types of dentists that specialize in different procedures and services. Here is what every patient should know about the different types of dentistry.

General Dentistry

When most patients think about going to the dentist, they think about going to a general dentist. As the name implies, general dentists have a comprehensive range of general dental knowledge and expertise. General dentists must complete formal undergraduate education and dental school before they can practice. General dentists can provide a variety of services to help maintain your teeth.

For most people, a general dentist is someone they will visit every six months for a cleaning, x-rays, and some restorative work. For example, a general dentist might complete a filling or provide you with a crown. Depending on what other dentists are in the practice or the comfort level of your general dentist, you also can expect services like dental restoration, oral cancer screenings, children’s dentistry, dentures, teeth whitening, root canal therapy, and veneers. If your dentist is not trained in performing a procedure, they will typically provide you with a referral to a specialist.

Cosmetic Dentistry

A cosmetic dentist can work magic and completely transform the appearance of virtually any smile. Cosmetic dentistry includes many different procedures that are aimed at making a smile more beautiful. This can include veneers, dental bonding, teeth whitening, and other services. Many different types of patients can benefit from visiting a cosmetic dentist, including those with cracked teeth, discoloration, poorly aligned teeth, misshapen teeth, or gapping. Providing your teeth and gums are healthy, there is almost no limit to how much your smile can be transformed.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry is a type of dentistry that centers around replacing and repairing teeth that are damaged or missing entirely. The goal of restorative dentistry is to return your mouth to an optimal state. Depending on the needs of the patient, this could include things like bridges, crowns, or dental implants. The right dentist in Winnipeg can provide you with compassionate and understanding restorative dentistry.

Typically, the patients that visit a restorative dentist for care have missing teeth, broken teeth, or advanced tooth decay. Unlike cosmetic dentistry, which focuses primarily on improving the appearance of the smile, restorative dentistry prioritizes the function of your teeth. However, it’s important to note that restorative dentistry does also have an aesthetic component. This can be seen in placing crowns, as they allow you to chew normally but also help your mouth look better.

Preventative Dentistry

Unlike some types of dentistry that focus on repairing problems in your mouth, preventative dentistry aims to prevent the problems from occurring in the first place. Preventative dental care can begin at a very early age, and it includes both visits to the dentist and the preventative oral hygiene care that you perform yourself at home. Some of the key components of preventative dentistry include x-rays, teeth cleaning, and oral exams. Most patients should visit a dentist to receive preventative dental care twice a year.