The general dentist is usually responsible for preventative care, such as annual exams and tooth cleanings, and some tooth repair and cosmetic procedures, such as fillings and tooth whitening. A prosthodontist is a specific type of dentist who focuses on restoring missing teeth.
All dentists must hold either a DDS (doctor of dental surgery) or DMD (doctor of dental medicine) degree, which requires three or more years of undergraduate education, plus four years of dental school. The primary focus of general dentistry services is the prevention of disease. General dentists offer a variety of services aimed at preventing disease and repairing damaged teeth:
It is recommended that patients visit a general dentist at least once every six months for preventative care and whenever an acute issue occurs, such as tooth pain, bleeding gums or trauma. Some general dentists can assist with fitting dentures or refer patients to a prosthodontist.
Prosthodontists must complete three additional years of post-graduate education beyond the four years of dental school. Their area of focus is treating dental and facial problems that involve missing teeth. Treatments a prosthodontist may perform include dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures and treatments for temporomandibular disorders.
According to a study in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 37.9 million American adults will need dentures in 2020. The process of getting dentures usually begins with an examination by a general dentist, who may then refer patients to a prosthodontist for further evaluation.
A prosthodontist begins by examining the patient and determining if dentures are a recommended treatment option. If dentures are needed, then the next step is to design a prosthetic that properly fits the patient's mouth and achieves the cosmetic appearance the patient desires.
To achieve the proper fit, the dentist first takes measurements and impressions of the patient's jaw. Those impressions are used to create a model that is placed in the patient's mouth and adjusted to achieve the desired fit and look. The adjusted model is used as the basis to make a set of dentures. This process can take a few months to complete.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry Services in Allendale Charter Twp, MI.
A general dentist is a good place to start for patients who may need dentures. A dentist providing general dentistry services can recommend treatments and provide a referral for any services that may need to be performed by a prosthodontist or other dental professional.
Request an appointment or call Grand Valley Dentistry at 616-259-6046 for an appointment in our Allendale Charter Twp office.
A cavity is the result of acids in your mouth eating away at a tooth, creating a small hole. These acids are produced by oral bacteria that convert sugars in the mouth into acids. Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons that people go to a dentist.Spotting a cavity on a tooth does…
If you have one or more missing teeth or dentures that move around on you, you might want to consider dental implants. Essentially, implants are man-made devices that act as anchors for various forms of artificial teeth. They can be a great way to restore both your smile and your confidence. Here are some important…
A TMJ dentist is a dental professional that focuses on treating conditions that negatively affect the structures of the temporomandibular joint. Continue reading to find out more about TMJ disorder and what the dentist does.Outlined below are five questions to ask a TMJ dentist. In addition to these common questions, the answers are also provided,…
If you have one or more missing teeth or dentures that move around on you,…
In recent years, dental implants have become a popular treatment for patients who have missing…
Many people in the United States have dental implants, but that does not change the…
For many people, dental implants can be a permanent solution for dealing with lost or…
Learn the types of dental crowns. Find out which material is the right choice for…
