General dentistry services is the area of dentistry you are most likely to be familiar with. If you have undergone a scale and polish, a filling, or have had dentures fitted, then this all falls into the category of general dentistry. The majority of dental school graduates start practicing in general dentistry immediately following graduation, while some continue specialized education in a specific field. Ideally, dentistry is preventative. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your dentist regularly (at least once every six months) to ensure proper oral hygiene and functionality. Regular checkups and oral health maintenance prevent the development of serious dental problems that can require costly treatment. In this article, we will shed some light on general dentistry. Read on to find out more!General dentistry definition includes the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, treatment of diseases, disorders, conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body; provided by a general dentist, within the scope of his/her education, training and experience, following the ethics of the profession and applicable law.General dentists develop a customized dental hygiene plan that incorporates dental examination, teeth cleaning, possible tooth scaling, X-ray, and use of other diagnostic equipment to prevent uncover, or treat problems as early as possible.General dentistry covers a wide range of procedures that includes the initial consultation and diagnostics such as x-rays, CAT scans, and wax molds for replacement teeth. He or she will use a variety of methods such as tests, x-rays, and the like to determine what is wrong with your teeth before treatment.general dentistry services consist of elements that are vital to your continued health, including:
- Preventive services: These help you maintain good oral health by stopping disease before it takes hold in your mouth. Regular exams (including diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional teeth cleanings are a cornerstone of prevention. Your general dentist may give you detailed instructions to improve your at-home oral hygiene, and may also recommend preventive treatments such as sealants if needed. And if you lead an active lifestyle, you can be fitted with a custom-made mouthguard at your dentist’s office.
- Restorative Services: When a problem is found, your dentist will ensure you get timely and appropriate treatment. Probably the most common (and highly effective) dental restoration involves removing tooth decay and placing a filling in the affected tooth. But that is not the only restorative procedure general dentists provide. They offer you a place to go when you need prompt treatment for dental trauma—for example, a broken, loosened, or knocked-out tooth. General dentists can diagnose and treat the causes of tooth pain or periodontal (gum) disease. They may also offer treatments for missing teeth, place crowns or bridgework, and help you get fitted with dentures. Some provide more advanced treatments, such as root canal therapy, orthodontics services, and dental implants services, as well.
- Cosmetic Procedures: Many general dentists can help you get the sparkling smile you have always wanted with a range of cosmetic procedures. These include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, lumineers, and cosmetic bonding. If a brighter smile is what you’re looking for, ask your general dentist about a smile makeover.
- Overall Health Concerns: In many respects, your oral health is a mirror of your general health. Some dental problems may reflect issues in other parts of your body and vice versa. For example, untreated oral infections can lead to poor control of diabetes, an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, and complications during pregnancy. General dentists are trained to identify these issues and offer appropriate treatment or referral when needed. One particular concern is obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially deadly condition that can sometimes be treated with an oral appliance. General dentists can also offer nutritional counseling, advice on tobacco cessation, and general health and wellness information.
Regular or general dentists typically treat adults and tend to focus on problems more specific to permanent teeth. General dentists diagnose, prevent, and treat issues that arise with adult teeth, including overall general health needs.Although both pediatric dentists and general dentists can provide dental care to children, their difference lies in the amount of training that each is required to complete. Both pediatric and general dentists must obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) after their undergraduate degree. A pediatric dentist has pursued a specialty certification in pediatric dentistry, which requires an additional two years of training during their residency.However, the services a general dentist can provide for children include:
- Teeth cleanings
- Sealants
- Interpreting X-rays
- Filling cavities
- Removing teeth
- Fixing broken teeth
The Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Postdoctoral Program is a 12-month certificate program with an optional second year open to US/Canadian and foreign-trained dentists. This intensive clinical and academically rigorous full-time program is designed to prepare accepted applicants to deliver comprehensive patient-centric care for all patients, including those with complex and special needs. Residents can expect a collaborative and robust program with dedicated facilities led by world-class experts upholding the highest standards of teaching and learning in Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Implant Dentistry, and Pediatric Dentistry.So this is all you need to know about general dentistry meaning and its services. In conclusion, general dentistry is all about the prevention of disease. By estimation, nearly 65 percent of all dental procedures are either diagnostic or preventive. By placing a strong emphasis on oral health and hygiene, general dentists help people avoid the progression of oral diseases. If left untreated, these eventually result in pain, lost time at work or school, and lots of costs. Therefore, you’d better find the best dentistry in your area as soon as possible!