Family Dentist vs. General Dentist: What is the Difference?

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family dentist vs general dentist what is the difference

A trustworthy dentist who can provide you and your family with quality dental care is essential because dental health is just as important as overall health. Make sure your dentist near you provides comprehensive dental care, including both preventative and restorative procedures.

Take some time to decide whether you’d prefer a family dentist or a general dentist before booking an appointment. To help you make your choice, read this blog; it’ll explain the differences between the both types of dentists.

What is a General Dentist?

Your primary oral healthcare provider is a general dentist. This type of dentist is able to handle all aspects of your dental health care, such as gum care, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, root canals, and preventive education.

Prior to practicing dentistry, they received extensive education. A person who wants to become a general dentist typically needs to complete three or more years of undergraduate study and four years of dental school. Their primary objective is to help you keep a healthy smile.

Dentists in general may only accept patients within a specific age group. Ensure that your general dentist offers all the dental treatments you require.

Understanding the types of services a general dentist provides can help you decide if visiting one is the best option for your regular dental needs. Choosing the best type of dentist for your needs is important.

Services General Dentists Provide

A general dentist typically provides a large range of dental healthcare. A variety of common dental health problems can be treated by them, including:

● Broken teeth

● Cavities

● Oral infections 

● Gum disease

● Cosmetic issues 

A general dentist can also assist you in avoiding problems before they happen. They can help with prevention in a number of ways, such as by providing regular checkups, dental cleanings, fluoride treatment, and instructing patients on how to maintain good oral health.

What is a Family Dentist?

These dentists are concerned with dental health issues at all ages, but especially in children and teens. Although they are quite similar to general dentists, family or pediatric dentists, have more experience working with young patients. 

Family dentists receive extensive training, just like general dentists.  Before they begin seeing patients, they must have the necessary professional knowledge and expertise. Additionally, they offer dental services comparable to those of a regular dentist. Family dentists emphasize teaching patients how to properly care for their teeth and maintain excellent oral hygiene. They demonstrate the proper brushing techniques to a child or demonstrate how to properly clean dentures for an elderly patient. They make sure you and your family have a satisfying medical experience.

Services Family Dentists Provide

Family dentists are qualified to offer the following processes and procedures: 

● Dental checkups and x-rays

● Teeth cleaning 

● Dental fillings

● Root canal treatment 

● Dental crowns 

● Gum care

● Dentures

● Sealants

● Orthodontic referrals and/or Invisalign

● Teeth Whitening

Family Dentist vs General Dentist

Despite the fact that they are quite similar to one another, they do have a few minor differences and, when choosing a dentist for your family, these distinctions may matter. The main difference between the two is that a family dentist is knowledgeable about oral treatments for people of all ages. You can therefore get all your dental needs met by a single practical specialist rather than visiting several dentists.

Family dentists with experience provide a range of dental treatments, including root canals and tooth extraction. Except for those who don’t require specialized dental services, many individuals are not impacted by this difference. 

If you are looking for specialized dental treatment you can consider consulting our dentist in Yellowknife. We can provide you with basic oral health care along with complex services to maintain your teeth and gum.

Here at Somba Ké Family Dental, we provide quality family dentistry near you. We offer quality and comprehensive dental care treatment to every one of our patients. You can reach us via phone, email, or by coming into our clinic in person.