A general dentist has graduated from a 4-year dental school with no additional formal post-doctorate residency. Some may have completed a 1-year general practice residency program following dental school, providing them additional clinical experience and expertise.
Some general dentists may have also taken extensive courses on specific disciplines, such as cosmetic dentistry, periodontal surgery, dental implants, endodontics, or orthodontics. Therefore they may perform these specialty procedures with great proficiency and can provide excellent treatment even in the most complex patients. As there are no specific regulations, It is best for patients to inquire about the proficiency and experience of a general dentist regarding complex procedures that are more often performed by specialists.
You will benefit from a general dentist if you have the following needs
- General restorative needs (fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, etc.)
- Routine periodontal care (Cleaning, management of early or moderate periodontal disease)
- Cosmetic procedures (bleaching, bonding, veneers, etc)
- If a general dentist has additional training and experience, they may provide:
- Simple extractions, root canals, orthodontics, periodontal procedures, and some pediatric dentistry.
- Complex restorative, cosmetic, and surgical procedures may also be offered depending on their experience, proficiency, and personal comfort.Most general dentists choose to refer all or most of the specialty or complex procedures to specialists.
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