Family dentists provide quality primary dental care for patients of all ages. They often perform similar procedures to general dentists, and they both have extensive education and training. However, the key difference between the two is that family dentists are also able to treat children.
This makes them a great choice for families who want to take care of all their dental needs in one place.
Family dentists work with people of all ages. This makes them well-equipped to treat everyone in your family, from children to seniors. In fact, family dentist Raleigh NC often have more experience than general dentists when it comes to working with children, as they may even be trained in pediatric dentistry.
Moreover, many family dentists are also familiar with the dental needs of families and can help you plan ahead for the future. This is especially helpful for parents who have young kids and want to ensure they receive the best possible care as they grow up.
Furthermore, family dentists can work with the whole family to provide routine cleanings and exams, as well as more advanced restorative dental services like repairing broken teeth or installing dental implants and dentures. They can also help you address your cosmetic dental needs with treatments like porcelain veneers, crowns, and Invisalign clear aligners. Additionally, most family dentists offer sedation options to help patients relax during treatment.
When you opt for a family dentist, you can receive comprehensive care for every member of your family. This includes routine cleanings, dental exams, and fillings, as well as more advanced restorative treatments to address issues such as chips, cracks, tooth decay, and infections.
While both general and family dentists are trained to provide quality primary dental care, there is one key difference that sets them apart. While both professionals treat patients of all ages, family dentists have extensive experience working with children and can offer procedures such as dental sealants and fluoride treatments that are tailored to their needs.
Family dentists also have child-friendly office environments and can often accommodate families with scheduling flexibility, making it easier to ensure your entire family receives the dental care they need. For busy parents, this can be a major convenience. Moreover, for children who are nervous about visiting the dentist, building a relationship with a pediatric dentist can help ease their anxiety and build a foundation of good oral health habits for years to come.
We understand that accidents happen, and dental emergencies are never fun. However, when they do occur, it’s important to receive care right away. This is especially true for knocked-out teeth, which can be saved when treated quickly. Our office offers a range of emergency services, including tooth extractions, root canal therapy, treatment for abscesses, and splinting loose or broken teeth. The best way to prevent dental emergencies is through preventative care, including routine checkups and daily brushing and flossing. We use the iTero Element scanner to create digital impressions of your teeth, so there’s no need for uncomfortable and time-consuming impression putty!
While general dentists and family dentists both offer similar services, they have slightly different focuses. While general dentists serve patients of all ages, family dentists primarily focus on providing a primary dental home for families. Both types of professionals must complete undergraduate and dental school and pass a rigorous licensing exam before they can practice in the field.
Family dentist Raleigh NC offices like ours use state-of-the-art technology to ensure that you receive the highest quality care possible. For example, we use iTero Element, which allows us to scan your entire mouth without the discomfort and time-consuming process of taking traditional x-ray photos or using impression putty to make a physical model.
We also use CERECR, which enables us to craft same-day dental restoration materials. This means you can have your smile fully restored within a single visit, rather than waiting for multiple appointments and temporaries. This convenience is something we are proud to offer our patients.
Pediatric dentistry is a highly specialized field that requires two or three extra years of training after dental school. This allows them to better serve the unique oral health needs of infants through teenagers.
Prevention is a cornerstone of comprehensive pediatric dentistry Bowling Green KY. This includes advising parents on thumb sucking, pacifier or smoking cessation, and applying protective sealants to children’s molars to prevent decay on their chewing surfaces.
Regular visits to the dentist from early childhood help children develop positive oral hygiene habits and a lifelong appreciation for dental health. They also allow pediatric dentists to detect and address potential problems in their nascent stages, such as tooth decay or misalignment. This can save patients pain and discomfort and reduce the need for more extensive treatment later on.
Pediatric dentists are also skilled in handling common childhood dental injuries, such as chipped or knocked-out teeth. This prevents dental infections and the need for costly and invasive procedures later on.
Finally, pediatric dentists can educate both parents and children about healthy eating habits and oral hygiene to help ensure better outcomes for their children’s overall well-being. This holistic approach to care helps nurture a lifetime of wellness for all members of the family.
Pediatric dentistry (formerly pedodontics) is the specialty of dentistry and oral care for children from birth through adolescence. A pediatric dentist has two or more years of additional training following a general dental degree, and is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (Diplomate ABPD).
Regular visits to a Pediatric Dentist help children establish good oral health habits. They can teach children how to brush and floss correctly, provide fluoride treatments, advise parents on thumb sucking, pacifier use, and smoking cessation, and monitor growth and development to detect any early problems.
Pediatric dentists are also active in the community, providing free or low cost care to children without access to dental services and helping families impacted by natural disasters or other emergencies. They are passionate about making a difference in the lives of their young patients and their families.
Achieving good oral health is a journey that lasts a lifetime. Establishing healthy habits early on lays the groundwork for a lifetime of strong, beautiful smiles. Pediatric dentists make this journey easier by providing comprehensive care throughout childhood and adolescence.
Child-friendly environment: Pediatric dental offices are designed with kids in mind, utilizing bright colors and fun decor to create an inviting and friendly atmosphere. This helps alleviate dental anxiety and teaches children that visits to the dentist are routine and positive.
Behavior management: Pediatric dentists are trained to use a variety of behavior management techniques, such as distraction and reward, to ensure that each visit is as stress-free as possible.
Preventive treatments: Pediatric dentists provide fluoride treatments and sealants to help protect the chewing surfaces of molars from bacteria and food particles that lead to cavities.
Pediatric dentistry Bowling Green KY is a dedicated field that offers specialized treatment to children of all ages. It aims to create a warm and friendly environment where the children feel comfortable and at ease, which makes it a great choice for parents looking to get their children into the habit of visiting the dentist regularly.
Pediatric dentists are trained to manage a child’s oral health needs from infancy through adolescence. They are equipped to treat children’s unique dental concerns, such as modifying thumb sucking habits or encouraging pacifier use, and they work with families to help establish good brushing and flossing routines.
Many pediatric dentists are also qualified to treat adult patients, and can make the transition process seamless for families by ensuring continuity of care through the transfer of medical records. They can also offer recommendations for trusted adult dentists and help their young patients feel confident during the transition. This can ease anxieties about visiting a new dental office, and encourage independence in managing oral health needs into adulthood. Often, pediatric dentists will recommend that a child sees an adult specialist to address complex dental needs or concerns.