What Does a General Dentist Do?

 A general dentist is the most prevalent type of dentist. In fact, general dentists make up nearly 79% of all dentists in the United States, and some people ask what general dentists do. Except for particularly complex advanced dental procedures requiring further training, degrees, or certifications, we learn to do most dental procedures. General dentists are on the front lines of diagnostic and preventative processes.

They can detect and recognize the early stages of dental disease in the patient's mouth and treat the illness before it worsens. General dentists work closely with their patients to educate and assist them with their oral hygiene homecare regimen, thereby preventing disease in the future. If you google "general dentists near me,"you get to make an appointment to examine your oral health. If your problem requires a different specialist, they will direct you to one.

What Education Is Required for General Dentists?

Some nations have different prerequisites for dental school admission, but in the United States, an undergraduate college degree and a list of prerequisite classes are necessary before admission to dental school. The precise undergraduate major is unimportant as long as the student completes the prerequisite courses.

The educational requirements for dental school are remarkably similar to those for medical school, and many people are unaware that dental students take their initial core classes alongside medical students. Biology, psychology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and physiology are examples of such classes. The Dental Admission Test, or DAT, is a multiple-choice standardized test that is also required for admission to dental schools in the United States and Canada. The exam has a variety of questions including biology, chemistry, perceptual abilities, reading comprehension, and quantitative thinking.

Dentist Procedures in General

Many people are curious about what general dentists do on a daily basis, thus it may come as a surprise to some that general dentists learn over a hundred distinct treatments. A quick glance at the dental insurance codebook will demonstrate this, with some categories including:

• Initial, emergency, periodic, periodontal, and oral cancer examinations;
• X-rays in digital format;
• Dental photographs;
• Scans made with a digital camera;
• The mapping of present and required treatments;
• Bonding or white dental fillings;
• Porcelain crowns for one day;
• Dental veneers and porcelain bridges;
• Dental surgery;
• Implants, as well as implant-supported porcelain crowns and bridges;
• Bone grafts and extractions;
• Treatment for TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and night mouth guards;
• Straightening teeth using Invisalign;
• Zoom Teeth whitening bleaching;
• Preventive decay sealants;
• Botox injections for migraines, TMJ, and cosmetic purposes Botox;
• Dentures, both partial and complete, are used to replace missing teeth;
• Crown recementation;
• Root canal therapy;
• Dental temporary fillings.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About General DentistsCan a General Dentist perform an Extraction?

Extractions and gum or oral surgery are taught to general dentists. Some dentists enjoy it and do numerous surgeries, whereas others focus solely on cosmetics and refer surgeries to other dental practitioners. It all comes down to personal preference.

Can a General Dentist install Dental Implants?

Any general dentist can install dental implants, although they are recommended to have additional implant surgery training from an accredited advanced learning center. Once again, it comes down to personal preference.

Can General Dentists Perform Root Canals?

General dentists are trained to do root canals, albeit this is a personal preference.

Can a General Dentist apply Braces?

Any general dentist can provide braces or Invisalign treatments, though it is recommended that the dentist obtain further training.

A general dentist is a pretty universal specialist. However, you need to clarify what procedures are performed and what are not by each general dentist you consult to see if they are exactly who you need.