At Oahu Dental Care in Pearl City, we believe that a healthy smile is a beautiful smile, and we offer both essential dental care and advanced aesthetic procedures. Learn about the difference between a dentist and a cosmetic dentist below, and schedule a dental appointment today.
What's the Difference Between a Dentist and a Cosmetic Dentist?
The Primary Focus of Care
The main difference lies in the goal of the treatment. A general dentist in Oahu focuses on your overall oral health—prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of functional issues. This includes routine cleanings, exams, fillings for cavities, and managing gum disease. Their core mission is to keep your teeth and gums healthy and functional. A cosmetic dentistry specialist, while also concerned with health, focuses on the aesthetics: the appearance of your teeth, bite, and smile.
The Types of Services Offered
General dentistry encompasses necessary restorative and preventive procedures. Think root canals, extractions, and traditional crowns. Cosmetic Dentistry, on the other hand, includes procedures specifically designed to enhance your smile. Common services include professional teeth whitening, porcelain veneers to correct chips and gaps, and tooth bonding for minor corrections. While some procedures, like tooth-colored fillings, overlap, the intent is either restorative (general) or aesthetic (cosmetic).
Training and Expertise
All cosmetic dentists are first general dentists, holding the same Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. However, a cosmetic dentistry specialist typically pursues extensive post-graduate training and continuing education in aesthetic techniques and smile design. This additional focus sharpens their artistic skill and knowledge of advanced materials, making them the ideal choice for a complete smile makeover. For the best dentist to transform your look, specialized training matters.
SCHEDULE TODAY
Ultimately, both general and cosmetic dentists play a vital role in your oral well-being. For your essential dental care—checkups, cleanings, and addressing immediate health concerns—a general dentist is your primary provider. But if your goal is to brighten, straighten, or completely redesign your smile, our specialized team at Oahu Dental Care in Pearl City has the expertise in cosmetic dentistry to achieve the beautiful results you desire. Call today.