WHAT A DENTIST DOES
While many people think about cleanings and checkups when they think about going to the dentist winston salem north carolina, there are a variety of different services that dentists can provide. There are also different fields of dentistry—all with different procedures. In order to understand what a dentist does, it’s
important to understand the different fields of dentistry.
Fields of Dentistry
The services that a dentist provides both depends on the field of dentistry that they are in, and the needs of their particular patients. While some dentists are able to provide services in multiple fields, others specialize in just one field. Here are a few of the different fields of dentistry that your dentist may provide services in:
General Dentistry
For general services like cleanings, checkups, dental fillings and even root canals, a general dentist is the perfect choice. While many dentists can provide general dental services, not all dentists practice these services regularly. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure to find a primary dentist that is able to provide cleanings and checkups for you every six months.
Your general dentist will:
- Diagnose Oral Health Issues
- Remove Plaque, Tartar and Debris
- Fill Cavities
- Provide Deep Cleanings
- Provide Root Canal Therapy
- Take X-Rays
- Evaluate Your Bite
- Provide Other Services
A general dentist is absolutely required for good overall oral health.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses around different cosmetic procedures that help to improve the appearance of a patient’s teeth and gums. Some of these services are provided purely for aesthetic reasons, while other services are necessary to improve a patient’s oral health.
Some cosmetic procedures include:
- Teeth Whitening
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Veneers
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Implants
- Braces
While some general dentists are able to provide some or all of these services, not all general dentists are proficient in every area of cosmetic dentistry. Because of this, a specialized dentist may be required to perform these procedures.
Pediatric/Family Dentistry
A pediatric dentist is a dentist that provides oral health care for children. Baby or primary teeth are a little different than adult teeth and, because of this, a dentist working on a child’s teeth needs to understand how to provide dental care for primary teeth. A pediatric dentist also may specialize on children’s teeth because they prefer working with children.
A family dentist provides both pediatric care and adult oral health care. This makes them a perfect choice for a family that would like to share the same dentist.
Emergency Dentistry
Sometimes accidents occur, and a dental service is required immediately. Services provided in a very short window of time (often 24 hours) are considered emergency dental services. Emergency dentistry is extremely important for repairing damaged teeth, and can mean the difference between a patient keeping their natural teeth or having their teeth either fall out or need to be extracted.
Whether you are in need of emergency services, or you simply are due for a checkup and cleaning, there is a dentist ready to help with your oral healthcare needs. If you haven’t already, set an appointment for your next routine checkup and cleaning today.
Drs. Leal, Spangler & Johnson are your choice for general and cosmetic dental services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for consultation or service.
If you're interested in learning more about general dentistry, here's some insight into visit expectations.