Categories: General Dentist

Reasons You Might See a General Dentist vs. a Dental Specialist

Wondering when you may make a general dentist office visit? There are many different types of dentists that people can choose from nowadays; their choice simply depends on their dental needs.

Reasons to see a general dentist

Considering seeing a general dentist in San Clemente? According to WebMD, a general dentist diagnoses, treats and manages overall oral health care needs, which includes gum care, root canals, fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges, preventive education and treating diseases of the mouth. This makes general dentists dental professionals who are similar to medical doctors in that they both provide people with primary care services.

This is the type of dentist that everyone must make regular dental appointments with in order to ensure that their oral health is in good shape. Making regular dental appointments with a general dentist is not only necessary to ensure that there are no existing problems with one's oral health but also so patients can undergo regular dental cleanings. Regular dental cleanings are essential to remove any plaque buildup on one’s teeth that can cause gum disease.

While general dentists can typically perform most of the same dental procedures that dental specialists can, sometimes it is necessary for a general dentist to refer a patient to a dental specialist. This is often because the patient is in need of a more complex procedure or because the patient has health conditions that require them to receive extra dental care.

Reasons to see a dental specialist

Dental specialists are dental professionals who have decided to undergo additional education and training in order to specialize in a certain dental area. Examples of dental specialists include endodontists, periodontists, orthodontists and prosthodontists. A general dentist might refer one of their patients to see an endodontist, for example, because endodontists are specifically trained in performing root canal treatments, as well as other types of difficult root procedures.

Furthermore, general dentists will often refer their patients to a periodontist when they are in need of treatment for periodontal disease that is affecting a patient's bone, an orthodontist for dental patients experiencing bite problems and a prosthodontist for patients in need of in-depth tooth replacement services, like dental implants, dental crowns, dental bridges and dentures. The only time that general dentists will refer their patients to dental specialists is when the patient is in need of difficult and/or complex dental treatment.

Bottom line

Are you in need of a general dentist? If you have dental problems and are wondering what type of dentist you should visit, it is important to understand that making an appointment with the general dentist is the first step. If additional dental treatment is necessary due to a patient's more complex dental needs, then the general dentist will refer them to a dental specialist.

Request an appointment here: https://dentistinsanclemente.com or call Nina Basti DDS at (949) 201-4719 for an appointment in our San Clemente office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in San Clemente, CA.

Recent Posts

General Dentistry Restoration Options To Repair A Damaged Tooth

General dentistry consists of a lot of routine oral health care, which also happens to include restoring teeth that are in bad shape due to damage. Common damage may include cracks, chips, or cavities, all of which can be addressed with the help of different dental restorations. Continue reading to find out what dental restoration…

General Dentist Tips For Your Daily Oral Hygiene

Daily oral hygiene is one of the most important things that a general dentist focuses on. Without a good oral hygiene routine, individuals are more likely to develop cavities or gum disease, both of which require treatments to solve. Having a good understanding of important daily oral hygiene can go a long way. Keep reading…

Cosmetic Dental Treatments From A General Dentist

Considering cosmetic dental work from a general dentist? Although cosmetic dentistry is its own field, general dentists also offer an array of procedures that can be used to improve the way that the teeth look. There are a lot of different procedures that can be performed in a general dentistry setting. Keep reading to find…

Are You Brushing Your Teeth The Right Way?

Brushing your teeth is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to keep them healthy. It is an important part of your hygiene routine. It can be the difference between having a bright smile you can be proud of or ugly looking teeth you are reluctant to display.Simply brushing teeth every…

Nina Basti DDS

Share
Published by
Nina Basti DDS

Recent Posts

Visiting a Preventive Dentist Can Help Maintain Your Oral Health

Regular visits can ward off serious dental problems later on. Here are the details about…

2 weeks ago

How a Dentist Treats a Loose Dental Filling

If you have a loose dental filling or a filling that has fallen out entirely,…

4 weeks ago

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry for Cavity Treatment

To help you understand how laser cavity treatment can help, we’ll discuss some of the…

2 months ago

General Dentistry Restoration Options to Repair a Damaged Tooth

Our general dentistry team can help restore your damaged teeth.

2 months ago

What Is a Denture Reline?

Learn about a denture reline and find out when it is recommended. Go over the…

3 months ago

Fix a Chipped Tooth With a Dental Veneer

Getting a dental veneer can do more than just bring back the structure of your…

3 months ago