What is the difference between a general dentist and a pediatric dentist?
- Triton-Dental
- October 6, 2022
- 2:38 pm
- One Comment
There are many similarities between general dentists and pediatric dentists. Both specialties work with children, so it’s natural that most people think of them as the same. However, there are some key differences between general dentistry and pediatric dentistry that you should know about. Keep reading to learn more about the differences between a general dentist and a pedodontist.
What is General Dentistry?
General dentistry is a field that focuses on dental care for people of all ages. This includes anything from helping you maintain good oral health to finding you a dentist if you need one. This includes anything from helping you maintain good oral health to finding you a dentist if you need one.
General dentists are primarily responsible for the care of general dental patients, which includes adults and children with teeth, oral health issues, and oral health concerns. They are prominent in the field of pediatric dentistry, but they also take care of adults with some general dental needs.
General dentists provide general dental care to people with all types of oral health issues, such as gum disease, tooth decay, TMJ disorders, and oral pain.
They also provide care for people who have other general health needs, such as managing diabetes and managing or reducing the risk of certain conditions affecting the mouth, like heart disease and stroke.
General dentists do not usually specialize in one area of dentistry. Instead, they are trained to handle a variety of dental issues in terms of their treatment options and possible outcomes. They may also specialize in one area, such as endodontics (root canals), restorative dentistry (dental implants), or oral surgery.
What is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry is a specialized field of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of children. Traditionally, pediatric dentistry focuses on kids between the ages of birth and 18 years, but there are many specialties that can extend the age range.
Pediatric dentists are trained to treat all ages of children, including infants and toddlers, adolescents, and young adults. They typically have a longer training time than general dentists, which is why they can have more experience with children.
This field is highly specialized, so you’ll need to find a dentist who is specifically trained and experienced in working with children. The majority of pediatric dentists are board-certified and are experts in the dental needs of children and teens.
They are trained to recognize the growth and development issues that affect the mouth and work to provide comprehensive care, including counseling, healthy food choices, and oral hygiene instruction.
Pediatric dentists are also experts in oral pathology, which is the study of diseases of the mouth and their treatment and prevention. They are trained to recognize diseases, such as oral cancer, which need immediate care and treatment, as well as oral health issues, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and TMJ disorders, which need more long-term care.
Pediatric Dentist vs. General Dentist: Key Differences
There are many factors that make one specialty different from another. For example, general dentists treat patients of all ages, but pediatric dentists are typically only trained to work with kids. Other key differences between general dentistry and pediatric dentistry include:
- Training – General dentists often have a shorter training period, meaning they’ve been working as dentists for a shorter period of time. Pediatric dentists, on the other hand, have a longer training period and often have more experience working with children.
- Specialties – General dentists usually have a wider range of specialties, while pediatric dentists are usually only trained in oral health. Most pediatric dentists focus solely on the health of children’s teeth and mouths.
- Experience – Although the majority of general dentists have a wide range of experience, most pediatric dentists have a much more narrow range of experience focused on children’s dentistry.
- Practice Areas – As you can see, pediatric dentists have a much more focused range of experience. This means that a pediatric dentist is much more likely to specialize in one dental area than a general dentist.
- Costs Associated with the Services Provided – The costs associated with pediatric dentistry are higher than those associated with general dentistry. While the average cost of a dental visit ranges from $50 to $100, the costs associated with oral health issues, such as cavities and gum disease, may range from $150 to $600.
- Availability of Specialists for Various Dental Issues – There are no specialists in pediatric dentistry. The specialists associated with general dentistry may be the same as those involved in general dental care, such as orthodontists or periodontists. However, specialists in pediatric dentistry may be different, such as oral pathologists and oral surgeons.
Pediatric vs. General Dentist: Why Is It Important to Know the Difference?
When you hear the word “dentist” you might automatically think of someone who treats teeth. But dentists can do so much more than just fix teeth and help you maintain good oral health. Understanding the differences between general dentistry and pediatric dentistry can help you make better decisions about who you choose to see.
If you’re in need of a dentist, you want to be sure that you choose the right one. Knowing the key differences can help you identify dentists who are specifically trained and experienced to address the kind of dental problems you’re facing.
There are numerous dental specialties, including oral medicine, endodontics (root canals), oral surgery, implantology (bone replacement), orthodontics (braces), maxillofacial, periodontics (gum disease), pediatric dentistry, oral hygiene, and more. These specialties help dentists provide comprehensive dental care.
They can help with many different issues, including tooth decay, gum disease, oral surgery, broken teeth, dental implants, and more.
Pediatric Dentist vs. General Dentist: How to Choose the Best One
There are several factors that you will want to consider when choosing a dentist, including the location of the practice, the availability of specialists, the reputation of the practice, and the cost of the services provided. If you want to find the best dentist in Surrey for your family, you may want to consider these key factors when trying to find a dentist.
- Location: where are they located? If you don’t want to drive miles out of the town, you may want to consider choosing a dentist who is located not more than 10 miles from your home or office.
- Availability of specialists: some dentists may not have specialists available, or may have only one specialist on staff. You may want to consider this if you want to receive care from a dentist with multiple specialists.
- Reputation: it’s helpful to do some research on a dentist’s reputation before choosing one. You may want to look at reviews and testimonials from previous patients to get a sense of what other people think of the dentist’s services.
- Credentials: If your dentist will be working on your mouth, you want them to be highly qualified. You shouldn’t risk your oral health by working with someone who earned their degree online because it is just as important to your overall health. Additionally, you don’t want to see somebody who has finished their education and has stopped learning.
- Cost of the services provided: as with any medical visit, you may want to consider the cost of the services provided. While most dentists range in price from $50 to $100 for a dental visit, it’s best to visit a dentist who fits your budget.
Whether you’re searching for a pediatric dentist or general dentist, it can be helpful to consider what you need most. Ask yourself these questions and make sure you’ve considered what you’d like to get out of your dental care.
- What are the top issues you have with your teeth?
- What kind of care do you think you need?
- Who do you trust to provide this care?
You may need to do some research to better understand what you need. You may also find it helpful to talk to other patients or previous dentists you’ve seen. The more you know about what you need, the better off you’ll be. With this blog, hope you understand the differences between pediatric dentists vs general dentists.
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