What is General Dentistry?

in Aurora and Denver, Colorado

When you hear words like "general dentist," "cosmetic dentist," "neuromuscular dentist," and "reconstructive dentist," it can be quite confusing as to what type of dentist you need for your dental problem or just general upkeep of your smile. It is best to start with a general dentist, as general dentistry involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a huge variety of conditions, disorders, and diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums. General dentists provide services related to the general care and maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health.

In the best case scenario, general dentistry is preventative. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you visit your general dentist regularly (at least once every six months) to keep the health of your teeth and mouth in tip top shape. Regular check-ups and oral health maintenance prevent the development of serious dental problems that will require extensive work in the future as the problems get worse. These treatments can also be very costly as many cosmetic and reconstructive dental procedures are not covered by dental insurance. By visiting your general dentist regularly, you can avoid serious problems later.

General Dentistry Education

After graduating from an undergraduate program (typically with a BS or BA degree), prospective dental students must attend an additional four or more years of schooling at an accredited dental school. Fifty-six such colleges are located in the United States. Dentists receive a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. DDS and DMD are different titles for the same education and degree.

After completing dental school, prospective dentists must pass a two-part written national board examination and a written and practical state or regional board examination. After passing these exams, a dentist is given a license to practice. Dentists are licensed on a state-by-state basis, meaning that a dentist in California is licensed to practice only in that state, although there are occasional exceptions to this rule.

A good general dentist such as the dentists at Aspenwood Dental Associates and Colorado Dental Implant Center in Denver, Colorado will work with you to develop a customized dental hygiene plan that incorporates dental examination, tooth cleaning, possible tooth scaling, x-ray and use of other diagnostic equipment to prevent, uncover or treat problems as early as possible. If you live in Colorado and need to find a general dentist to ensure the good health of your teeth, mouth, and gums please contact the office of Aspenwood Dental Associates and Colorado Dental Implant Center today to schedule your initial general dentistry appointment.