The distinction between general and major dental is primarily a category used by insurance companies to determine how much they will pay for a specific procedure. “General” dental usually refers to basic or preventative services that maintain the health of the teeth. This category typically includes routine exams, cleanings, X-rays, and “basic” restorations like composite fillings or simple extractions. These are often covered at a high percentage, sometimes 80% to 100%. “Major” dental, on the other hand, involves more complex and expensive treatments intended to restore or replace missing or heavily damaged teeth. This category includes crowns, bridges, dentures, inlays, and sometimes complex root canals or oral surgery. Because these procedures require specialized lab work and expensive materials, insurance usually covers them at a lower rate, typically around 50%.