As with any medical field, dentistry has its own specialties too. Each one focuses on a particular area of the body and with dentistry, each specialty focuses on one of three aspects, either preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry. For each of those respective areas of dentistry, there is the general dentist who focuses on preventative measures, an oral surgeon who concentrates on restorative dentistry measures, and a cosmetic dentist who focuses on cosmetic dentistry techniques.
The lines between each area of dentistry are sometimes blurred. Cosmetic dentists can perform general dentistry duties and vice versa just as a general dentist can perform cosmetic procedures. An oral surgeon can perform surgeries considered restorative, preventative, and cosmetic. It depends on what is required and the accepted outcome of the surgical procedure.
What is Considered Cosmetic?
It is important to note that many procedures may be considered preventive in nature, but they can also be considered cosmetic. Take dental implants for instance. Although they are considered restorative in nature, offering an artificial tooth solution to a patient who has suffered extensive tooth loss is more than that. Although the procedure does restore lost tooth functionality and improve the lost bite motion, it is also considered cosmetic.
Crowns that are tinted to match the surrounding teeth are considered cosmetic, but they provide a valuable preventative function. By filling in the empty socket vacated by a tooth, it keeps the teeth from shifting into the available space and maintains the opposing forces of the bite which keeps the jawbone healthy. Without the oppositional force of the teeth touching with every bite motion, the jawbone can actually weaken and in some cases, resorb into the body. When this happens, it leaves the jawbone open to infection which can in turn damage the rest of the teeth, gum tissue, and jawbone.
Do you need to identify if you need an oral surgeon or a cosmetic dentist? Please get in touch with us so we can help determine which one is right for you.
Dental Blog | Madison Oral Surgery and Dental Implants The doctors at Madison Oral Surgery and Dental Implants have provided this blog to help our patients and the community. We hope our blog will cover the many topics that you and your family may be interested in. Madison Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, 2921 Landmark Place, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53713 - (608) 960-7650 - madisonoralsurgeons.com - 6/6/2023 - Key Phrases: Oral Surgeon, Dental Implants, All on 4, Wisdom Teeth Extractions
As with any medical field, dentistry has its own specialties too. Each one focuses on a particular area of the body and with dentistry, each specialty focuses on one of three aspects, either preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry. For each of those respective areas of dentistry, there is the general dentist who focuses on preventative measures, an oral surgeon who concentrates on restorative dentistry measures, and a cosmetic dentist who focuses on cosmetic dentistry techniques.