What Is the Difference Between Cosmetic and General Dentistry?

Cosmetic and general dentistry serve different purposes, but both are essential to maintaining oral health. At Sho Dental Laboratory, we specialize in crafting restorations that enhance your smile and dental function.
The Role of General Dentistry
General dentistry focuses on maintaining oral health and preventing dental issues. This includes routine exams, cleanings, fillings, and treatments for common dental problems like cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay. General dentists are responsible for diagnosing and addressing oral health concerns and ensuring your teeth and gums remain healthy. They may also perform restorative procedures like fillings and crowns to address damage caused by decay or injury.
At Sho Dental Laboratory, we support general dentists by providing high-quality dental restorations, such as crowns, that fit seamlessly into a patient’s overall dental care plan. While general dentistry focuses on health and function, it sometimes overlaps with cosmetic treatments, especially when restorative work also improves a patient's appearance.
The Focus of Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, is primarily concerned with improving the appearance of your smile. Procedures in cosmetic dentistry aim to enhance the aesthetics of your teeth, gums, and overall smile. Common treatments include teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and crowns that address cosmetic issues like discoloration, chips, misalignment, or gaps between teeth.
While cosmetic procedures often involve dental work, their primary goal is not to address health issues but to improve the appearance of the smile. At Sho Dental Laboratory, we specialize in creating customized cosmetic restorations that provide patients with beautiful, natural-looking results while maintaining the function and health of their teeth.