Choosing a Good Dentist
Deciding on which dentist you want to work on your teeth can be an important, and frustrating, part of life. And determining if they are a 'good' dentist can be a subjective experience. This is usually determined by what you need the dentist for. Are you looking for a general dentist who will professionally clean your teeth? Are you looking for a cosmetic dentist who can give you a smile makeover? Or are you looking for a dentist who is licensed in neuromuscular dentistry to help alleviate symptoms of, or even cure, problems associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)? This may all depend on how quickly you need one. If you are looking for someone to clean your teeth, you might be able to wait longer than if you need a dentist to look at why you have excruciating pain in your mouth.
Becoming a dentist requires two years of predental college courses, and four years of dental school. Some dentists go on to study at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies to learn about cutting edge technology and revolutionary dental practices. But maybe none of this matters to you. Maybe you just want that cavity filled as soon as possible. In that case, here are some things to look for when choosing a dentist that you can be happy with, and one who you can label 'good.'
- Dentist takes a personal interest in their patients and their health ' You want a dentist who pays attention to your individual needs rather than one who sees you as only someone who is going to give them money. A dentist who is forthcoming, answers all of your questions, and will examine you during an initial consultation is most likely someone you can trust.
- Dentist performs a full-mouth examination ' While every dentist obviously looks into the mouth, you want one who is inspect not only the teeth and gums, but also the lips, tongue, palate, and inside of the cheek. They might also look at the skin of the face and neck to feel for lymph node abnormality and enlarged lymph nodes. In addition, many dentists have added screening for oral cancer to their repertoire. A good dentist will also chart his or her findings.
- Dentist who schedules regular check-ups ' Rather than seeing you as a fly-by-night customer who they only care to see once, or once in a while, a good dentist will be concerned with your dental routine: cleanings, bite evaluations, periodontal examinations, and fluoride treatment. These things can keep your teeth healthy and avoid costly repairs down the road. In certain cases, your dentist may want to schedule more than just the usual examination every six months if they notice something and want to keep an eye on it.
- A good dentist has high-quality work ' If you need repairs, such as dental crowns, bridges or implants, or are interested in teeth whitening or veneers, the work should last more than just one or two years. When a good dentist cares about the quality of work, it shows in the amount of time it takes. Rather than assembly-line style dentistry, meticulous and painstaking procedures get the best results.
These are only some of the areas that a good dentist will excel in. While most of the dentists you may encounter in your search will be good, there are some who tend to give the entire field a bad name (no wonder so many people have dental phobia).
About the Author:
If you are looking for a good dentist in the Phoenix, Mesa, or Scottsdale, Arizona area, please contact the experienced cosmetic dentist office of Scott LeSuer, D.D.S & Charles Dodaro, D.D.S.