For many people, the health care professional they see most often is their general dentist. General dentistry in New York is oriented towards the prevention of dental disease, although there is no way to get a true perspective, it is estimated that 65 percent of all the work done by general dentists is either diagnostic or preventative in nature. General dentists put a great deal of emphasis on oral health and good dental hygiene in an effort to avoid dental problems that, if left untreated, would eventually become painful and may result in more complex and costly procedures.
What can you expect from your general dentist?
There are close to 150 thousand dentists in the US, of this number, about 80 percent are general dentists. Unlike one of the nine dental specialties, general dentistry in New York and across the country provides a range of dental services that are vital to your long term health, including:
- Prevention: Regular dental checkups are the key to good dental health, your general dentist helps you maintain excellent oral health by stopping dental problems before they get a chance to worsen. Your general dentist is liable to provide you with instructions on improving your at-home dental care and may suggest such preventative treatments as a tooth sealant.
- Restoration: With the best intentions in the world, it is difficult to go through life with no dental problems. When your dentist does see a problem such as the start of tooth decay, he or she will prepare the affected tooth and place a filling. A general dentist is also the first person that you would contact in the event of a dental emergency which could be anything from a tooth ache to a knocked out tooth.
General dentistry in New York also includes common cosmetic procedures. Your general dentist is trained and well prepared to undertake teeth whitening, bonding, veneers, etc; all of which are procedures designed to enhance your appearance by giving you a brighter, whiter smile.
