When it’s time to take your little one to the dentist, won’t any dentist do? Not necessarily.
While general and family dentists treat children, if you’re looking for the best dentist for your brood, then a pediatric dentist is hard to beat.
To understand why that is, we invite you to read more about the key differences between pediatric, family, and general dentists.
Comparing Different Types of Dentists: Pediatric vs Family Dentist vs General Dentist
General Dentistry: The Foundation of Dental Care
All dentists are highly trained, skilled medical professionals. On top of an undergraduate degree, dentists must attend dental school, which usually lasts four years, and results in a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Dentists must then be licensed and often, undergo a 2-3 year residency program.
All of this education and experience gives general dentists the ability to diagnose patients while providing both preventative and restorative care.
To be sure, general dentists are highly skilled clinicians providing such services as:
- Cleanings, exams, and X-rays
- Fillings, crowns, and bridges
- Root canal therapy
- Extractions
- In some cases, certain cosmetic procedures
The key is that most general dentists only treat adults.
Family Dentistry: Care for All Ages
Family dentistry is a term used to describe dentists who provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages, focusing on building long-term relationships with families.
As we covered in our blog post “What is a Family Dentist? And How Are the Super Dentists Different?”, family dentists provide various services, including:
- Teeth cleaning
- Root canals
- Whitening procedures
- Fillings
- Dentures
- Bridges, caps and crowns
- Orthodontic care (some family dentists offer this, but not all)
- Other general dental work
Pediatric Dentistry: Care from Infancy Through Adolescence
When comparing pediatric dentists vs general dentists and pediatric dentists vs family dentists, what’s the difference?
As our blog post “What is the Age Range for a Pediatric Dentist?” sums it up, “…general dentists focus solely on adult teeth, [but] pediatric dentists usually specialize in treating children’s teeth. A pediatric dentist has two to three years of specialty training following dental school.”
This specialty training allows pediatric dentists to treat patients from infancy onward. While there isn’t necessarily an upper age limit for pediatric dentists, and many are also capable of treating adults perfectly well, this unique specialization makes pediatric dentists the ideal choice for treating children and teens.
Sometimes, as is the case for us at The Super Dentists, pediatric dentists may also provide orthodontic care.
Even if a pediatric dentist does not provide orthodontic care, though, their unique training gives them not only a clinical advantage but also the ability to better work with children of different ages and abilities.
In summation,
- Due to their unique training, pediatric dentists possess the skills to create a safe and positive dental experience for children, ensuring they feel at ease during treatment.
- They effectively educate children about oral health using age-appropriate language and engaging communication methods.
- Pediatric dental offices are designed to be child-friendly, featuring playful décor, engaging activities, and entertainment options like movies or video games.
- Pediatric dentists use specialized instruments and materials specifically tailored to accommodate the smaller mouths of children.
Why Choose The Super Dentists?
Now you know some of the key differences between general dentists vs pediatric dentists and family dentists. But what makes the Super Dentists different?
Ten principles guide all that we do:
- We are all about your KIDS: Pediatric dental specialists, with all services designed to support children’s needs.
- We are all about your EXPERIENCE: Transforming the dental visit into a fun, theme-park-like adventure.
- We are all about offering you EXPERTISE: Specialized dentists, highly trained assistants, and recognition for excellence.
- We are all about bringing you the latest INNOVATIONS: Leading the way with new technologies and treatment approaches.
- We are all about TECHNOLOGIES: Embracing cutting-edge tools for enhanced patient care and comfort.
- We are all about your CONVENIENCE: Multiple locations, extended hours, and all specialties in one place.
- We are all about ease of ACCESSIBILITY: Never turning away a child, regardless of their needs or circumstances.
- We are all about making it AFFORDABLE: Accepting all insurances and offering flexible financing.
- We are all about EDUCATION: Training future professionals and promoting oral health awareness.
- We are all about our COMMUNITY: Giving back through free dental days, sponsorships, and various community events.
Schedule an Appointment with The Super Dentists Today!
Schedule an appointment at The Super Dentists today! Whether you or your little ones are in need of emergency pediatric dental services or just routine cleaning, our team can help. Find a location near you then schedule a consultation here.
