The role of general dentists is to provide primary dental care for patients of all ages. They look after your entire family and overall dental health. Your oral health needs are met by the general dentist as they take care of the diagnosis, treatment and coordination of services.
However, in case, specialized dental care is needed, the dentist will refer you to specialists to ensure that you get the care that you need. Mostly general dentists work in government health services, higher education, military and research projects. All of them have years of experience and academic qualifications that ensure you get the highest dental services. The dentists are trained and educated specializing in different areas of dentistry. Some of the services that are provided to you and your family include:
– Dental implants and dentures
– Crowns and bridges
– Oral surgery
– Partial dentures
– Nutrition counseling
– Orthodontics
– Root canal therapy
– Sealants
– Teeth cleanings
– Gum disease treatment
– Crowns and bridges
– Cosmetic procedures
Usually functioning as family dentists and looking after oral dental care, the vast experience and services are a help. However, if you are looking for cosmetic dentistry, a general dentist will not be able to assist you. It is a separate specialization that requires precision and experience for proper functioning. But before you set an appointment with the cosmetic dentist, ensure that your insurance covers the costs. If you are looking for dental inlays and overlays, for teeth restoration, or improving your decayed teeth, consult a cosmetic dental surgeon.
These are applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars as they wear out faster. If you have decayed teeth, the dentist will remove the portions of damaged tooth and the rest will be prepared for the dental inlay or overlay. Additionally, a wax mold impression will be taken along with the bite to ensure the best fit. This impression is then used to create a plaster model which will be used to match the contours of the tooth.
The inlay fillings are used for restoring normal tooth structure while it is used for filling in small areas between the teeth. While the dental onlay are used on treating a larger area and is specially used when the chewing surfaces over a large area require to be safeguarded. However, both of these are made from composite resin or porcelain as they can withstand everyday grinding and chewing while matching the natural color of the teeth. Additionally, you can even get dental crowns made of alloys or metals. You must have seen people with gold or titanium dental crowns. As these are metal, they last long and can withstand wear and tear.
Only after the wax model is approved, the porcelain or alloy crowns are made. The second session is used for checking the fitting and is then cemented to ensure a proper bond. After that the final polish is done and you have got a beautiful smile again. If you have more concerns about the procedure or have queries, your general dentist will be able to help you.