General Services & Treatments:
Comfortable, Personalized & Affordable
Because these treatments are so common, many dental insurance plans cover a large part of the
cost. That's why you will see them listed near the top of the list of benefits on your
insurance
plan. If you have insurance, having general dentistry procedures covered by your insurer can
be
reassuring & helps motivate you to get the care you need. Insurance companies also know that
if
you don't solve a dental problem early on it will only get more expensive later.
General Dentistry Often Overlaps Other Categories of Dentistry
While our general dental services don't necessarily include cosmetic or restorative
treatments,
many times general dentistry treatments get bundled up with cosmetic or restorative care
treatment plans. For example, if you're getting a full smile makeover, we may change the
position of your teeth with aligners & make their shape more uniform using bonding. Nobody
has
the same dental situation or dental care goals. That's why many general dentistry treatments
seem to overlap with other categories of dentistry.
All dentists get training in general dentistry when they're in dental school, even if they
move
on to specialize in a certain area of dentistry later on (such as cosmetic dentistry or
orthodontics). Depending on where you live or the certifications they have earned, some
dental
hygienists can perform certain parts of a general dental procedure (helping to size crowns,
for
example).
Connection Between Your Oral Health & Overall Health
There is a big connection between your oral health & your overall health. General dentistry
can
address some situations that may be linked to other health conditions. For example, dentists
can
assess problems with your jaw joint (TMD) or even spot signs of sleep apnea or potential
causes
for migraines. So don't be surprised if we ask you about more than just your teeth & gums!
General Dentistry Includes Non-Invasive Actions
General dentistry also includes the non-invasive actions our dental team will take in the
effort
the keep you healthy & comfortable. Many diagnostic scans or examinations, such as those
that
look at your bite & how your teeth fit together (called occlusion by dentists) would be
considered general dentistry. Local anesthesia & light sedation are also common & apply to
so
many different dental care situations that they fall under this category.
CPreventing Dental Problems
Preventive dentistry is the area of dentistry concerned with preventing dental problems
before
they become costly, painful or both. A large part of preventive dentistry is patient
education.
This includes learning the proper at-home dental care, nutrition, etc. Another aspect of
preventive dentistry is oral hygiene through regular dental cleanings, fluoride treatments,
mouthguards & more.