What Services Do General Dentists Offer?

Just like engineers, teachers, doctors, and lawyers, dentists also have different specializations. Pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine and pathology, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry in Boston are just some of the dentistry specializations that a dentist may specialize in. 

General dentists are those dental professionals who did not undergo additional specialized training after completing dental school and who don’t have specific specialization. Instead of providing specialized services just like dental specialists do, a general dentist in Boston Ma provides regular cleanup and preventive oral care services. Traditionally, they are your go-to professionals when you seek regular dental care. If during a thorough dental examination the general dentists find any oral problem that requires the attention of more specialized treatment, they will recommend you to see a specific dental specialist.

The services offered by a general dentist are uniquely tailored toward oral disease prevention. They provide primary dental care for all ages and they focus more on oral health and hygiene, prevention of diseases, and helping patients avoid the progression of any diagnosed oral condition. Below are some of the services included in general dentistry in Boston.

Preventive oral services

As mentioned earlier, general dentists are responsible for helping you maintain good oral health. To help ensure that your teeth and mouth are healthy, you need to see your dentist at least once or twice a year and get preventive oral care services. These services include regular oral examination, routine x-rays, and teeth cleaning.

Also part of the preventive oral care services that the best dentist in Boston offers is providing you some detailed instructions on how you can keep your teeth protected, how to avoid decay, and how to improve your oral health and hygiene at home like the proper way of flossing and brushing. If you are suffering from a toothache, the general dentist can help you diagnose and treat the causes of the pain. If needed, your dentist will recommend you to get preventive treatments like sealants and fillings to help prevent any oral problem from advancing.

Restorative Services

If the diagnosis during the general dental checkup shows that something is off, the dentist will recommend that you get additional treatment. These treatments are often part of their restorative services.

Mild cases of cavity often require the removal of tooth decay. After removing the decay and cleaning the affected tooth, it will then be filled with a filling. More serious cases of tooth decay, on the other end, typically require extraction and denture. Other options for restorative oral care are implants, bridges, crowns, orthodontics, and root canal therapy.

Dental cosmetics services

General dental practitioners also offer cosmetic dentistry treatments. Cosmetic dentistry is all about improving your bite, gum health, overall smile appearance, and the aesthetics of your teeth (e.g. shape, size, color, and alignment). For instance, if you have stained teeth that can’t easily be fixed through dental cleaning, you may seek help from a Boston teeth whitening dentist and have your teeth professionally bleached. Dental cosmetic services include but are not limited to teeth whitening, Invisalign braces, dental veneers, enamel bonding, and enamel abrasion.

The general dentists will help ensure that you receive timely and accurate oral health care services. They do not merely help you maintain optimal oral health and hygiene but they also help in the identification and treatment of overall health concerns like diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea.