What is general dentistry and what does a general dentist do? You may have gone to the dentist more times than you can count. More often than not, the first dentist you will see is the general dentist. Those who practice general dentistry provide a wide range of different dental services. If you want to find out more about what they do and what they can offer, read on below.
Perform Dental Exams
Whether you are coming in for a preventative, restorative or cosmetic procedure, you will undergo some kind of dental screening. This will help evaluate the current state of your teeth and gums. This examination includes a visual check-up, although general dentists are also trained and qualified to take X-rays and other tests that could help pinpoint the dental problem.
Perform Basic Dental Procedures
Though general dentists employ the help of dental hygienists and other dental assistants, the dentists themselves can perform all the basic dental procedures that dental assistants can. This means that a general dentist can perform cleaning, tooth decay prevention, tooth extraction, tooth filling, teeth whitening and even crowns. A general dentist can perform all of these services and more. Thus, anyone who is trying to figure out whether or not they have a dental problem would benefit from a general dentist check-up.
Perform Advanced Dental Procedures
Of course, a general dentist may also perform advanced and more complex dental procedures. They may perform oral cancer screening to look for cancers or to determine if you can develop such cancers. They may perform root canal surgery for those cavities that have gone so deep that they have damaged your root canals. They may also perform gum surgeries for recessing gums and prevent further problems. They may also fit veneers, make dentures, and others.
Perform Follow-up Exams
Your general dentist is the dentist you see the most. They might hold a more complete record of your extensive dental history than any of your other dentists combined. Thus, they are better equipped to monitor your overall dental health. They may perform follow-up check-ups even for operations and procedures done by other dentists. You just have to update them on your conditions by going to regular check-ups.
Recommend Specialized Dentists
There is only so much that your general dentist could do. On top of four years in college, your general dentist has spent at least another four years in dentist school. A dentist with a speciality, on the other hand, has spent at least another two to four years of post-doctoral studies. One can say that dentists with specializations are much more qualified to provide specialized care, thus the reason why general dentists tend to make recommendations.
