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What’s the difference between a dentist and a cosmetic dentist?

St. Augustine, FL

When it comes to maintaining your oral health, it’s essential to understand the distinction between a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist. Both play critical roles in keeping your teeth healthy, but they focus on different aspects of dentistry. Today, we’ll explore the differences between the two, highlight the vital role of cosmetic dentistry in enhancing your smile and show why Palencia Dental can meet your oral needs.

What’s the difference?

A general dentist is your primary dental care provider. This health care professional is diagnosing and treating a wide range of issues related to your teeth and mouth: preventive care, restorative treatments and basic oral health maintenance, just to name a few. A general dentist can perform a professional dental cleaning of your mouth and conduct an oral examination as part of a dental check-up. General dentists also can fill cavities, extract teeth and provide their advice on proper oral hygiene practices. Moreover, general dentists address issues related to oral health, such as maintaining proper teeth alignment and ensuring a correct bite.

A cosmetic dentist, on the other hand, specializes in enhancing the appearance of your smile. While they can also provide general dental care, their primary focus is on aesthetic improvements.

Here are some key aspects of what a cosmetic dentist does:

  • Smile Enhancement: Cosmetic dentists use various treatments and procedures to improve the aesthetics of your smile. This may include teeth whitening, veneers, dental crowns and orthodontic treatments like Invisalign.
  • Aesthetic Restorations: Cosmetic dentists can repair or replace damaged or discolored teeth using restorative techniques that prioritize the appearance of your smile.
  • Customized Treatments: Cosmetic dentistry is highly personalized. Cosmetic dentists work closely with patients to understand their goals and tailor treatments to achieve the desired results.

It’s worth noting that many general dentists also offer cosmetic dental services. But did you know that cosmetic dentistry is not taught as part of the standard dental school curriculum? A true cosmetic dentist has pursued and completed training and post-graduate education in the specialty.

Comprehensive Dental Care in St. Augustine and Palm Coast in Florida

At Palencia Dental, we provide cosmetic services in addition to general dentistry services as part of our effort to be your “one-stop shop” for all oral health needs for patients in St. Augustine, Palm Coast and the surrounding areas of Florida. We use cosmetic dentistry and general dentistry to complement each other, ensuring that your smile not only looks great but is also healthy and functional.

At Palencia Dental, Dr. Kinsey and our team offer both general and cosmetic dental services to address all your dental needs. We are dedicated to providing dentistry that will make a difference in your life. Whether you require routine check-ups, restorative treatments or smile-enhancing procedures, we are here to provide personalized care.

To find out more about our cosmetic dentistry program or any of the services that we provide, visit our website or give us a call at 904-664-5254 to schedule an appointment today.