Family dentistry, like general dentistry, provides services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health. The terms family dentistry and general dentistry are often used interchangeably, though there is a slight difference between the two.
Some dentists restrict their practice to certain age groups. For example, pedodontists restrict their practice to providing dental care and treatment to young children. We typically care for a wide variety of patients, from young children to older adults. We are responsible for ensuring that plaque buildup around the teeth is kept to a minimum, that tooth decay is eliminated and cavities are filled, and that gums remain healthy.
Family Dentistry Services
Because they are considered to be the first level of defense against dental abnormalities, family dentistry and general dentistry are viewed primarily as preventative fields. We recommend that you visit your family dentist for a checkup a minimum of two times each year. Such checkups provide routine or deep cleanings to eliminate plaque buildup and prevent tooth decay. If necessary, they also provide fluoride treatments to help coat the teeth, a procedure also important in the prevention of tooth decay. Preventative dental checkups can help with the detection of oral health problems long before the onset of symptoms.
On some visits, radiographs are taken to help detect cavities and other tooth and jaw problems. If a cavity is detected during a checkup, we can provide treatment with a dental filling before it develops into a more serious problem that may require a crown, dental implant, root canal, or other restorative procedure.
Although we are typically associated with preventative and restorative dentistry, many pursue additional training in order to provide cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. We perform cosmetic procedures normally refer to themselves as family and cosmetic dentists.
We have more training than typical family dentists, though they occasionally refer some people to other dentists if specialized treatments are required.
Specialized treatments may include orthodontists (for teeth straightening), endodontists (for more complex root canal treatments), prosthodontists (for more complex crowns or for dental implants) and maxillofacial surgeons (for oral surgery). For very young children (ages four and younger), we may recommend a pediatric dentist, who has knowledge and training related to young children and early tooth health.
