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Featured Article:
How to
Choose a Dentist?
Making the Right Choice
How do you look for a dentist for your family? How do you know what
type of oral health care provider to see? Most of the time, a
general dentist is the one to see first. General dentists are the
primary care provider for the majority of all oral health needs. These
needs include: Regular hygiene checkups, diagnosis and treatment of TMJ
disorders, cosmetic and restorative procedures, ranging from simple
fillings to dental implants. Some of these procedures are done by
practitioners that have taken advanced schooling to become a specialist.
Some of the most common specialists are Orthodontists (braces),
Periodontists (gums and bone), Endodontists (root canals), Pedodontists
(children) and Oral Surgeons. General dentists are taught and are able
to do most anything a specialist can. But, sometimes dentists choose to
refer their patients to a specialist when the specialist could provide
better care. General dentists can help determine the care you need and
whether the assistance of a specialist is needed.
There are many things to consider when you
are trying to find a dentist. Talk to people you know and trust to find
out who they would recommend.
What to Look for in Choosing a Dentist
Although dentists are able to provide the same care to everyone, the way
they provide care can vary greatly from one dentist to another. Any
dentist can do cosmetic or restorative procedures if they choose to, but
not every dentist does it the same. The long-term success of these
procedures has many variables. One of the most important considerations
you should look for in a dentist is whether or not they mount and study
impression models of your teeth before starting expensive and time
consuming treatment. Another important consideration is whether or not
the dental office focuses on optimum tissue health before treatment.
Many dentists can do amazing work, but unless the patient's individual
characteristics were studied and looked at before starting, things could
fail due to an important step being missed. A simple adjustment to a
patient's bite before starting could be the one step that determines
whether a dental procedure is successful or not. The only way to
accurately determine if the patients bite needs adjustment is with
mounted study models. You should also look for a dentist that has gone
above and beyond the normal continuing education courses. There are
courses that teach advanced procedures which allow a dentist to
become more highly trained. An example is the Dawson Center in St.
Petersburg, FL.
What Questions You Should Ask
Your first
appointment should be for a new patient comprehensive examination.
At this appointment you should discuss your concerns and desires for
your dental health. Below are a few questions you may want to ask
the dentist.
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What type of preventive care is available?
n
Will the dentist plan and discuss necessary treatment?
n
Will the dentist use mounted study models (diagnostic casts) to evaluate
my occlusion (bite) and function?
n
Will the dentist review findings from the mounted study models
(diagnostic casts) with me before treatment begins?
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What courses has the dentist taken to advance his
study of dentistry?
Ask Yourself:
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Did I feel comfortable during my appointment?
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Were my concerns or questions answered?
n Did the dentist and staff focus their attention on
me?
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Going to the dentist's office is a difficult task for some,
hopefully these suggestions will ensure your experience is a
positive one.
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