Key Differences Between General, Cosmetic, and Pediatric Dentistry

A dentist in North Las Vegas

There are many different types of dentists – each has their own qualifications, educational backgrounds, and practical experience. While they all have to go through four years of dental college to qualify as a general dentist in the United States, cosmetic and pediatric dentists require further relevant training.

It is important to know and understand the types of dentists and their practices when looking to visit one. A specialized dentist can perform some duties better than a general dentist, while a pediatric dentist has two additional years of training to practice child dentistry. We will look at the three major dentist specializations and the most common duties and responsibilities they each have.

1. General Dentist

A general dentist is one who has a doctoral degree and a state license to practice dentistry. A general dentist hasn’t specialized in a certain field but their focus is more on dental healthcare needs and preventive care. They treat cavities, perform root canals, and if necessary they refer a patient to a cosmetic dentist.

A general dentist is one you go to for emergency care and for regular dental check-ups. Other duties of a general dentist include assessing and diagnosing patients’ conditions, updating patient files and records, and carrying out general dental care treatments. Your general dentist should be closest to you so you can reach them incase of emergencies.

Here is a list of the general dentist services we offer at Maddison Ave Dental:

  • Dental Exams & Teeth Cleaning – A quick teeth cleaning and examination that will identify any dental issues that a patient may have.
  • Teeth Whitening – Restore discolored, stained or yellowed teeth to a brighter and whiter smile.
  • Fillings – A common dental procedure to fill cavities in a tooth.
  • Dental Implants – Allow patients a simple effective way to get their full smile back when missing teeth or have badly damaged teeth.
  • Invisalign® – Planned and time-controlled teeth-realignments procedures with clear aligners from Invisalign®.
  • Emergency Dental Care – If you live in the North Las Vegas area and find yourself or a family member in a dental emergency contact our office right away for expedited appointments. Our office provides compressive care for any and all dental emergencies.

While dental emergencies are rare, they can happen, and it is important to know how to take care of your teeth no matter what. Common dental emergencies include: a broken or cracked tooth/teeth, broken jaw, permanent tooth knocked out, an object caught between teeth or a severe toothache.

2. Cosmetic Dentist

A cosmetic dentist graduates from dental college and has an additional Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery degree along with a postgraduate degree and training in cosmetic dentistry. Only then are they allowed to practice cosmetic dentistry.

These dentists are responsible for improving the appearance of teeth. This includes fixing teeth that are crooked, broken, or chipped, through dental procedures to make them look more aesthetically appealing and aligned. The procedures include dental implants, braces, bridges, or restorative dentistry.

Their duties would include evaluating the patient, planning the treatment, carrying out the procedures, placing implants, and post-treatment care. To avoid any risks always go to the best dentist in North Las Vegas at Maddison Ave.

We offer cosmetic dentistry treatments that include:

  • Dental Implants
  • Dental Veneers & Crowns
  • Gum Reconstruction
  • Invisalign®
  • Teeth Whitening

At our dental office in North Las Vegas, we believe that our patients shouldn’t have to hide their smile or feel insecure about their teeth. This is one reason why we will go the extra mile to provide you with the cosmetic treatment you need.

3. Pediatric Dentistry

The third most common type of dentistry is pediatric dentistry, which is for children. Pediatric dentists complete an extensive training regime in addition to their dental degree. They are required to train to diagnose and treat children’s dental issues.

Children have different dental care needs than adults and their dental treatments require soft tools and lighter doses. These dentists are also specialized in dealing with children, talking to them, and calming them down throughout the procedures. Their dental offices are designed specifically for children. Since baby teeth are different, the treatments for them are unique and medication is lighter as well.

If you are looking for the best dentists in North Las Vegas, head over to Maddison Ave. We offer a wide range of services including the best general dentistry services. You can look for other services and dental plans, and find out dental finances on this website http://www.maddisonavedental.com/