There are eight dental specializations in Alberta: endodontists, oral and maxillofacial radiologists and surgeons, pathologists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, periodontists, and public health dentists. Rest assured, whatever specific dental condition you or your family may ever face, there are specialists in Calgary and Alberta to help.
But here’s a question. What if you or your family just need your teeth cleaned or you just want someone to go to every six months for a regular dental check up. Who should you go see? The answer is “none of the above.” Instead of going to see a specialist for routine dental care, you should see a family dentist. They’re also often referred to as general dentists.
What does a family dentist do? Think of them as a family doctor as distinct from a medical specialist. Your family dentist’s priority is preventative dentistry and routine examinations and cleanings, and making minor repairs to general dental issues. The minor types of issues a family dentist would treat include tooth decay, minor chips and cracks, and periodontal disease. If a more complicated issue is disclosed by a family dentist’s examination, your family dentist will refer you to a specialist for the precise treatment you require.
What are the main services provided by a family dentist in SW Calgary?
Preventative dental care
Family dentists educate all members of the family on the best way to ensure their own oral health by good daily dental habits. That’s not to say they put the onus entirely on you. Rather, it’s a partnership. After all, your dentist will make careful examinations of your jaw, mouth, gums, and teeth at regular dental check ups every six months. They’ll provide routine treatment to address issues disclosed by those examinations, and will clean your teeth annually to remove accumulated plaque and tartar that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Treating tooth and gum disease
Speaking of tooth decay and gum disease, family dentists understand the serious risks of those conditions — not just to your oral and dental health, but also their role in elevating the risk of diabetes and heart disease. If a family dentist near you discovers damage caused by tooth decay or gum disease, they will perform routine procedures to eliminate the infection and to repair the damage caused to your teeth or gums. Examples of routine procedures performed by a family dentist include fillings and even root canal therapy.
Cosmetic dentistry
While there are many dentists who perform only cosmetic dentistry procedures, family dentists also provide advice, support, and services toward the achievement of cosmetic dentistry goals that often overlap with oral hygiene, preventative dentistry, and even restorative dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry services that many family doctors provide include professional teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and even crowns.
Every family dentist is committed to supporting you and your family through every aspect of your dental care and health. Having said that, family dentists understand the limits of their expertise and resources. Any time a family dentist encounters an issue so complex or concerning that your best interests are served by consulting with a specialist, your family dentist will make a referral and support you in receiving the specialized care you need.
Think of your family and general dentist as a family doctor or general practitioner. Their role is to partner with you to promote and ensure your best oral health. Are you looking for a skilled and compassionate family dentist near you to monitor your oral health and guide your family through any dental issues that may arise at any age? We look forward to meeting you and your family, and getting to know you while learning and meeting each of your dental needs.