Most people do not understand the difference between Cosmetic Dentistry and General Dentistry. In summary, general dentistry focuses on treating and preventing any type of oral disease. Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, focuses on the aesthetics of the teeth. Understanding this difference can help you understand which dental service to choose.

It is important to understand that all dentists have DDS or DMD qualifications. This means that whether they specialise in cosmetic dentistry or general dentistry, they can treat any dental problem. Usually, a dentist is a general dentist in the beginning and later becomes a cosmetic dentist after specialising in this sub-niche.

Here is a breakdown of the differences between cosmetic and general dentistry:

General Dentistry

A general dentist typically treats problems like tooth pain, oral hygiene, and discomfort in the gums or teeth. Some of the general dentistry procedures performed at the Burley Dental Suite in Ilkley are tooth extraction, root canal, and cavity filling. General dentists can also treat a limited range of cosmetic procedures like bonding and teeth whitening.

Usually, when food particles remain lodged in the teeth, there is bound to be fermentation and release of chemicals due to the enzymes in our mouth. Over time, poor oral hygiene causes the enamel to eat away. To remove the cavity, dentists have to scrape it out or even drill into the tooth, exposing the sensitive nerves and roots of the tooth. To prevent exposure, dentists then apply a filling, which is usually available in shades of white or off white.

Another common dental treatment that falls under general dentistry is tooth repair. You may need this if your tooth breaks off or the filling falls away. The discomfort can be very disturbing, and therefore, you would need to get a quick fix. Our Ilkley dentist can help.

Also, the root canal is not a very pleasant experience for many. Often patients feel anxiety about going through this treatment, but our experienced dentists in Ilkley manage such patients with extra care. We hollow the tooth to numb the nerves and leave the tooth in place to keep the patient’s facial appearance intact, and they can eat without any discomfort.

When you visit experienced dentists, you can get the best general dental treatment without any delay.

Cosmetic Dentistry

When you look for a dentist to improve the aesthetics of your teeth to make your smile look better, you need to find a cosmetic dentist. In other words, those dentists who specialise in cosmetic dentistry are mainly concerned with how your teeth look. Our cosmetic dentists in Ilkley usually provide the following services: inlays and onlays, porcelain veneers, fixed implants, smile makeover, tooth-colored fillings, dentures, and teeth whitening.

It is also important to mention that both cosmetic and general dentistry tend to overlap. For example, some cases may have tooth decay and require an extraction to prevent the spread of the infection. However, after extraction, the patient’s smile may change, and as a result, there would be the need to get the services of a cosmetic dentist to fix the missing tooth (or teeth) using porcelain veneers.

It may be right to say that there is a very thin line differentiating between cosmetic and general dentistry.

If you want to improve your smile, you can choose to see a cosmetic dentist on your own without a referral.

At the Burley Dental Suite, we offer a range of cosmetic and general dental treatments. If you are looking for Ilkley dentist, you will surely find us among the top dental services in town. We treat children, teenagers, and adults. Every dentist on our team is highly qualified and experienced. We work closely with all our patients making sure they feel cared for and safe at e