People are often confused when it comes to choosing between specialists and general physicians or dentists. Even though both type of dentists are well qualified to treat your mouth, one person is always better suited for a certain job than the other. Find out why and when you need to visit a general dentist and not a specialist.
It really depends upon individual dentists and the condition the patient is in. It may also depend on the location of the patient; for example if you are placed closer to a specialist, you may avoid going to the general dentist whose office is a couple of miles away. It is really upon you to make this decision of picking one over the other. Take note of a few points to make an informed decision.
What is General Dentistry?
This type of dentistry uses more preventive measures than restoration methods. The procedures that a general dentist is best suited for are prevention of periodontal diseases, cleaning, general examination, root canal, teeth whitening, dental bridges, bonding, fillings, and dentures. Some of these procedures can be listed as cosmetic dentistry procedures, but that alone is not enough to make the dentist a cosmetic dentist.
The Deciding Factors
An experienced dentist always scores above others as he knows exactly what he is doing. If a dentist has been in practice for a long time and has performed several procedures, he would know how to handle any given situation and you will be able to trust him better. Although it is not a requisite, it is definitely a possibility that an experienced general dentist will be able to help you better than a specialist. The reason is simple. A specialist has to deal with only a specific number of cases during his tenure, which can limit his area of expertise.
This factor is the fees charged. Specialists are conventionally more expensive to consult than general dentists. So until and unless you are faced with a problem that specifically relates to a certain part of mouth or a particular dental ailment which comes under the purview of a specialist, a general dentist can take care of your teeth without charging too much.
General dentistry is aimed at keeping your teeth as safe and healthy as possible. For that, both regular checkups at the clinic and consulting the dentist as soon as you feel discomfort are as important measures to keep mouth fit, as the age old routine habits of brushing twice and using dental floss.