The Difference Between General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry

As you care for your smile, you may ask yourself what exactly is the difference between general dentistry vs. cosmetic dentistry. They both help ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy, but each addresses a different part of your oral health. Learn how the two work together and find out what treatment is right for you.

At Cyprus Family Dental we provide both general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry so you can keep your smile healthy and get that smile you’ve always wanted.

General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry Working Together

General dentistry focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of problems that affect your oral health. It’s all about keeping your teeth, gums and mouth healthy for every stage of life.

• Routine dental exams
• Professional teeth cleanings
• Digital X-rays
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Root canal therapy
• Dental crowns
• Gum disease treatment
• Tooth extractions
• Preventive education and oral hygiene guidance

These services help prevent cavities, detect dental issues early, and preserve your natural teeth whenever possible.

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry is mainly concerned with your smile. While many cosmetic dental procedures benefit function, they’re performed primarily to change the color, shape, size, and appearance of your teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry services include:

• Professional teeth whitening
• Porcelain veneers
• Dental bonding
• Invisalign® clear aligners
• Smile makeovers
• Tooth reshaping
• Cosmetic crowns

Cosmetic dental services can fix issues like discoloration, chips, spacing, worn enamel, and more to give you a smile that’s bright and well-proportioned.

General Dentistry Working Together

In most cases, cosmetic dentistry overlaps with general dentistry. Your dentist will ensure your teeth and gums are healthy before beginning any cosmetic treatment. This means issues like cavities, gum disease or infections should be treated before cosmetic dentistry. By doing so, you’ll have a strong foundation for your smile.

Let’s say you need a filling to treat a cavity. You can receive your filling before you get your teeth professionally whitened. Or, you may decide to get a dental crown that improves the look of your tooth as well as its function.

What Kind of Dentistry do you Need?

It all depends on what you’re looking to achieve.

If you’re looking to:

• Prevent cavities and gum disease
• Keep up with regular cleanings and exams
• Repair damaged or decayed teeth
• Maintain long-term oral health

You may benefit from cosmetic dentistry if you want to:

• Whiten stained teeth
• Fix chips or cracks
• Close small gaps
• Improve the shape or size of your teeth
• Completely transform your smile

Many patients get both types of dental work. We want your smile to be healthy, functional, and beautiful.

Benefits of Regular Dental Visits

Just like with any area of your health, it’s important to stay on top of your oral health with regular dental visits. Whether you’re focused on cosmetic treatment or simply keeping your teeth healthy, your dentist can help. 

By seeing your dentist every six months you can prevent issues from arising, get recommendations for preventive dental work and find out about cosmetic procedures when you’re ready.

Trust Cyprus Family Dental for Complete Smile Care

Our team proudly provides preventative, restorative and cosmetic dentistry for patients of all ages in Magna and throughout the surrounding area. No matter what your smile needs are, we’re here for you. We take the time to get to know you and understand your goals so we can design a treatment plan that leaves you with a healthier smile and more confidence.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

No matter what your dental goals are, we can help you achieve them. From keeping your smile healthy to enhancing the way it looks, we have you covered. Call Cyprus Family Dental today to book your appointment and learn how general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry work together to create the smile of your dreams.