Find out whether a general dentist or a family dentist is the right choice.
Choosing a new dentist is a big decision. You want to find a dentist that not only provides the right services but one that also makes you feel comfortable and welcome. If you have a family, you may also want to find a dental practice that meets the needs of multiple family members.
You’ll find that most dentists will either describe themselves as general dentists, family dentists or even use both terms interchangeably. If you’re not sure what the difference is, don’t worry! We’re going to explain what family and general dentists are, how to choose between them, and what services we offer as a family practice.
The Key Difference Between a Family Dentist and a General Dentist
The difference between a family dentist and a general dentist is whether or not they treat kids.
Family dentists provide dental care services to all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. General dentists often focus on young adults and adults, though they may allow high school teens as well.
Aside from the age of patients, there really is no other major difference between family and general practices. Family dentists are, in fact, general dentists. However, general dentists aren’t always family dentists.
Most family dental practices will make it clear that they are family-focused and accept children. If you’re researching nearby dentists and see no mention of “family” on a website, chances are they are a general dentist.
For parents with very young children, it’s a good idea to ask a prospective dentist about age limits. For example, a family dentist may begin accepting kids once they are 3 or 4 years of age. Some even accept infants and toddlers as young as 6 months to 1 year!
How to Choose Between a Family Dentist and a General Dentist
Choosing between a family dentist and a general dentist is usually pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to think about.
Families with kids will opt for a family dentist, but some families choose to see a family dentist in addition to a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists are the opposite of general dentists in the sense that they only see children and teens under 18. Family dentists offer comprehensive care for kids, but some parents may choose to take their very young children to a kids’ dentist. In some cases, a kids’ dentist can help youngsters with dental anxiety feel more comfortable due to their specialized, kid-centric atmosphere. As your child gains more confidence they can easily switch to the family dentist everyone else uses.
General dentists are great for young adults, adults, and seniors. However, even if you don’t have kids there is absolutely no reason why a family dentist isn’t still a fantastic choice! Many patients prefer the warm, welcoming feel of a family practice, even if they don’t have kids or their own kids are adults now.
If you have future plans for a family, seeing a family dentist now is perfect. You’ll be able to develop a great relationship with your family dentist before your future kids become patients of their own.
The Dental Care Services You’ll Find With a Family Dentist
Since a family dentist is a general dentist, most family dental practices offer a very similar menu of services to general dentists.
At Metro East Dental Care, we offer eight main types of dental care.
Preventive Care
Preventive care is a big part of general dentistry. This category focuses on preventing dental issues with regular dental check-ups, professional dental cleanings, and oral cancer screenings. Think of it as everything your dental team does to keep your teeth as healthy as possible.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is all about fixing flaws in your smile, especially missing teeth or severely damaged teeth. Services in restorative care range from fillings to root canals and even dentures! We also offer dental implants, bridges, and crowns.
Periodontal Care
Periodontal care is all about preventing and treating gum disease, from mild gingivitis to serious periodontitis. The practice of deep cleaning the pockets in your gums surrounding your teeth is called periodontal therapy. Think of a professional dental cleaning but on a much more serious scale.
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is dental care specialized for kids. It includes preventive and restorative care starting from the time your child gets their first baby tooth. Additional services like dental sealants are great for kids!
Cosmetic Dentistry
When your smile’s appearance needs a little help, cosmetic dentistry is the way to go. We offer porcelain veneers, professional in-office or at-home whitening, and Invisalign. Dental implants and porcelain crowns are two other options that are both cosmetic and restorative in nature.
Oral Surgery
Oral surgery is commonplace in family dental practices in today’s world. This means we can help you with dental implant surgery, wisdom teeth removal, and general tooth extractions right in the comfort of our office. For a more relaxing experience, ask us about laughing gas.
If you’re interested in a dental service not listed or you have questions about what dental care we offer, just give us a call.
Schedule your family’s first appointments with Metro East Dental Care.
When you’re ready for your family to meet our Metro East Dental Care family, we’re ready to get your appointments scheduled. You can either call our office or fill out our online form. If you have multiple family members that would like to see us, let us know and we will do our very best to see you all the same day.
