With the importance of exceptional oral health in today’s society, this is a very common question these days. People understand that the mouth is the gateway to the body and dental health has a direct impact on overall wellness. Unfortunately, many patients think that “all dental offices are the same,” when this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many things have changed in the field of dentistry with significant improvements in treatments, technology, and overall dental care. But what should you look for when you are searching for a new dental home? This decision should be based on what is important to you as far as your dental health is concerned, however many people are unaware of the advances that have been made in dentistry. Let’s look at some areas that many patients consider when evaluating a dental office including comfort, technology and materials, and financial arrangements.

Comfort:

  • Sedation Dentistry. Dental anxiety is a very real thing and prevents many patients from seeking dental care. However, with twilight medication protocols, you could have your dentistry completed in a calm, sedated state with little memory of the procedures. Dental anxiety is a thing of the past with this safe and proven regiment.
  • Digital Impressions. No more need for that “gagging goop pop” that many patients hate. With the latest technology in digital scanning, we can achieve impressions faster, more accurately, and without the mess.
  • Dental Lasers. Lasers are used in all aspects of dentistry these days which allows for less post operative discomfort during dental treatment to quicker healing after an advanced dental cleaning.

Technology and Materials:

  • Digital Bite Analysis. Most dentists are trained in 2 diseases: Gum disease and Tooth Disease. However, advanced dental training teaches about Bite Disease. Many people break teeth and lose teeth because of a destructive or unstable bite. With T-Scan technology, we can analyze a person’s bite giving us specific percentages of pressures on teeth and allow us to properly balance a person’s bite. This will increase the longevity of your teeth and dental work, and help relieve teeth sensitivity, jaw tension, and even headaches.
  • Mercury removal/Bonded Porcelain Restorations. NO more metal or mercury should be used in the mouth! Mercury and metal are dated materials, have potential health risks, and both are unnecessary in modern dental offices. With bonded porcelain, we can be conservative with teeth eliminating unnecessary tooth structure removal and, in many instances, avoiding removing ANY tooth structure at all.
  • In-Office Power Whitening. The latest innovation in teeth whitening without using trays or excessive and messy bleaches. We can whiten you teeth 8-12 shades brighter with this advanced whitening technology.

Financial Arrangements:

  • Dental Insurance realities. The sad truth is that dental insurance has NOT kept up with inflation, cost of living, or cost of materials. Dental insurance works entirely different than medical insurance and should really be considered a dental “coupon” not insurance. Most offices will work with your insurance; however, they will also educate you on the limitations of it. In fact, many patients elect to pay out of pocket and not pay for costly dental insurance policies.
  • Payment plans. The cost of dentistry has increased significantly over the years, so it is important for dental offices to work with their patients and help make things affordable for them. With many third-party companies available offering low or even no interest financing options, patients can have the healthiest mouth and the smile of their dreams while still staying within a monthly budget.

So what is important to you in a dental office? If you want to have your dentistry completed in a calm, relaxed, and anxiety-free environment, this is readily available in offices with sedation options. Even if you are not a nervous patient, having a calm and caring atmosphere where you are treated with compassion and empathy should be mandatory in the dental office you choose. Not all dental offices are trained in the latest techniques or have adopted the newest technology, but many offices are, so feel free to research your future dental home through their website. We like to put patients at choice and offer a consultation so that you can educate yourself on our office, ask the questions that are important to you, and decide if we are the right fit for you. Choosing the right dental home is an important decision, so remember that there are different types of dental offices…make sure you find the right one for you.

Dentally Speaking by Jeffrey S Haddad D.D.S.

Jeffrey S. Haddad, DDS of Rochester Advanced Dentistry, completed his dental education at the University of Michigan in 2001. Dr. Haddad is a fellow of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. He lectures nationally on cosmetic dentistry, TMJ and sleep disorders and dental implants. For more information, visit www.rochesteradvanceddentistry.com.

Originally published in Community Lifestyles.