Choosing a family dentist is much the same as choosing your family doctor. In fact, one tip would be to ask your doctor who he or she chooses to visit for their dental needs. That’s a pretty good endorsement!
If that is not an option, then common sense should prevail. Do your due diligence. Try walking through the yellow pages if you’d like, but a bit more in depth analysis might be prudent.
Check with your state licensing agency to determine if a dentist you are considering is licensed to practice in your state.
Contact the office of your state attorney general to determine if there has been any malpractice claims filed against a particular individual.
Check with your Better Business Bureau to determine if there have been any complaints filed for which the dentist has failed to respond.
Talk to your friends and neighbors to obtain personal referrals or recommendations.
If you have dental insurance your plan may require you to use their preferred providers. If that is the case, work from that list following the recommendations listed above. It’s your family. It’s your money. It’s your health.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Nothing since that Ancient Sumerian fashioned the first toothbrush from a simple twig has impacted the dental field more than cosmetic dentistry. Today it is possible for the average American to sport the same picture perfect smile as any celebrity.
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses several different procedures which we will investigate. You may even have some of these procedures in your mouth right now. . .in fact the odds are that you have had some type of cosmetic dental procedure in your lifetime.
It’s important to meet with your dentist for an initial examination to determine if you are a candidate for cosmetic dental work. Your teeth must be in good condition before any cosmetic work is undertaken. If any type of dental disease is present, your dentist will explain what needs to be accomplished before proceeding with cosmetic work.
Once that is determined the dentist will explain the various cosmetic options available that are suitable for your needs, whether it be braces, bridges, bonding, veneers, bleaching and so on.
Whitening is one of the primary reasons that people consider cosmetic procedures. But, it’s important to realize that often whiteners alone may not help. In fact, studies by the American Dental Association have shown that teeth with a yellowish tone will whiten well with a bleaching process whereas teeth that are brownish may not bleach well and grayish teeth may not bleach well at all.
If you have had other cosmetic processes done and then decide to try whitening, you could end up with a very undesirable effect of not having all your teeth uniform in color. It’s important to follow the advice of your dentist and not be swayed by advertising or how your best friends’ work turned out!
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