General dentists are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. They can treat you and your entire family and care for your overall oral health. This is crucial to your total health. Your general dentist takes responsibility for the diagnosis, treatment and overall coordination of services to meet your oral health needs. If you need a specialized dental procedure performed, your general dentist may work with other dentists to make sure you get the care you need.
What kind of procedures do general dentists provide?
Many general dentists are highly educated and trained on all dental procedures. Instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry, they can provide plenty of different services for you and your family, such as:
- Cosmetic procedures
- Crowns and bridges
- Dental implants
- Dentures
- Gum disease treatment
- Home care instruction
- Mouthguards
- Nutrition counseling
- Oral surgery
- Orthodontics
- Partial dentures
- Restorative care
- Root canal therapy
- Sealants
- Teeth cleanings
- Tobacco cessation
- TMD/TMJ therapy
How much education is required to become a general dentist?
To become a general dentist, three or more years of undergraduate college education degree (typically with a strong science foundation) plus four years of dental school is required. After graduating, dentists must take a licensure examination which is required by the state in which they practice.