//  by 

Ladys Island DentistWho is the one health care provider you see more than any other? For many people, the answer is: their general dentist. There’s a good reason for that—it’s because general dentistry is uniquely oriented toward the prevention of disease. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 65 percent of all dental procedures are either diagnostic or preventive. By placing a strong emphasis on oral health and hygiene, general dentists help people avoid the progression of oral diseases. If left untreated, these eventually result in pain, lost time at work or school—and an estimated cost of billions of dollars each year.

General dentists are the main providers of dental care to people of all ages. At a routine visit to your family dentist, you will probably have a thorough examination of your mouth (including teeth, gums, and other structures), a professional cleaning, and a discussion about your dental (and overall) health. If your exam reveals the presence of tooth decay, you will probably also have a filling in the affected tooth. Yet these procedures, while common, are hardly the only services your general dentist provides.

What Do General Dentists Do?

Of an estimated 143,000 dentists practicing in North America, some 80 percent are general dentists. Unlike specialists, who are mostly focused on a particular aspect of dental practice, general dentists provide a wide array of services that are vital to your continued health, including:

  • Preventive services — These help you maintain good oral health by stopping disease before it takes hold in your mouth. Regular exams (including diagnostic images such as x-rays) and professional teeth cleanings are a cornerstone of prevention. Your general dentist may give you detailed instructions to improve your at-home oral hygiene, and may also recommend preventive treatments such as sealants, if needed. And if you lead an active lifestyle, you can be fitted with a custom-made mouthguard at your dentist’s office.
  • Restorative Services — When a problem is found, your dentist will ensure you get timely and appropriate treatment. Probably the most common (and highly effective) dental restoration involves removing tooth decay and placing a filling in the affected tooth. But that’s not the only restorative procedure general dentists provide. They offer you a place to go when you need prompt treatment for dental trauma—for example, a broken, loosened or knocked-out tooth. General dentists can diagnose and treat the causes of tooth pain or periodontal (gum) disease. They may also offer treatments for missing teeth, place crowns or bridgework, and help you get fitted with dentures. Some provide more advanced treatments, such as root canal therapy, orthodontics, and dental implants, as well.
  • Cosmetic Procedures — Many general dentists can help you get the sparkling smile you’ve always wanted with a range of cosmetic procedures. These include teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding—even porcelain veneers. If a brighter smile is what you’re looking for, ask your general dentist about a smile makeover.
  • Overall Health Concerns — In many respects, your oral health can be seen as a mirror of your general health. Some dental problems may reflect issues in other parts of your body, and vice versa. For example, untreated oral infections can lead to poorer control of diabetes, an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, and complications during pregnancy. General dentists are trained to identify these and other issues, and offer appropriate treatment or referral when needed. One special concern is obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially deadly condition that can sometimes be treated with an oral appliance. General dentists can also offer nutritional counseling, advice on tobacco cessation and general health and wellness information.

General Dentist Procedures

Since many wonder what do general dentists do on a daily basis, it may surprise some that general dentists learn over a hundred different procedures. Just one look at the dental insurance codebook will illustrate this and some categories include:

Some Common Questions about General Dentists:

Can a General Dentist Perform an Extraction?

General dentists learn how to perform extractions and gum or oral surgery. Some dentists love it and perform frequent surgeries, while other dentists focus only on cosmetics and refer the surgeries to other dental providers. It’s all a matter of preference.

Can a General Dentist do Implants?

Any general dentist can perform the placement of dental implants, although it is advised to have had additional implant surgery training from an accredited advanced learning center. Once again it’s a matter of preference.

Do General Dentists do Root Canals?

General dentists train to perform root canals, although once again it’s a matter of preference.

Can General Dentists do Braces?

Any general dentist can do braces or invisalign clear aligners, and it’s best practice that the dentist receives additional training.

The Takeaway

General dentists are trained to do all different types of work on the teeth, and it is up to the specific office on which procedures they are comfortable performing. Just about every dentist can perform examinations, x-rays, cleanings and simple fillings. Most dentists can also take care of crowns, bridges, and simple dentures. Some dentists will also do root canals and some gum work like deep-cleaning. The exact procedures performed by the general dentist are up to the discretion of that particular dentist. Some general dentists prefer to only do check-ups and cleanings, while other general dentists will do just about everything in their office.

Schedule An Appointment

Using a general dentist for the entire family can often be more convenient by enabling everyone to maintain a optimal oral health in the same Beaufort dentist office. We offer appointments starting at 7:00am and also have after school hours to meet your scheduling needs.. We welcome you to our convenient office which is conveniently located on the corner of Sea Island Pkwy & Lady’s Island Dr..  To schedule an appointment contact us at (843) 986-0177 or request one online and we will get back with you directly.

Share
Tweet
Share
Pin