How To Find The Best Philadelphia Dentist
Finding a highly qualified Philadelphia dentist for you and your family can be rather stressful
. It is important to find someone who is skillful in all aspects of dentistry because your needs are different from that of your kids. Thats why learning everything about your preferred dental care practitioners is crucial before seeking treatment. Dont be shy in asking his or her qualifications, experience, and specialties.
The Educational Qualifications of Dentists
To be called a Philadelphia dentist, a person must have a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. Dentistry practitioners also need to have at least two years of pre-dental college experience followed by four years of dental studies. Nearly all students who decide to enroll in a dentistry course have a bachelors degree.
Students of dentistry spend the first two years of dental school studying preclinical sciences, the basics of dentistry, and the different procedures. The next two years involves having a more practical experience under the direct supervision of a faculty member. It doesnt stop there. Any aspiring dental care practitioner needs to pass a state and national board examination to practice in his chosen area.
Similar to physicians, there are also many fields of specialties in dentistry. Those who are interested in a certain field need to undergo two or more years of advanced studies. After this, the board examination administered by the American Dental Association needs to be passed. The eight recognized fields of study include:
Dental public health control and prevention of dental diseases and the promotion of dental health in the community
Pediatric dentistry the dental care for infants and kids
Endodontics focuses on the treatment and prevention of diseases of the root pulp and root canal therapy
Oral and maxillofacial surgery surgical treatment for injuries, diseases, and defects on the mouth, face and jaw; also include tooth extractions
Oral and maxillofacial pathology the diagnosis of tumors and injuries to the head and neck
Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics the correction of facial and tooth irregularities
Periodontics treatment of diseases on the gum and related structures
Prosthodontics correction of oral dysfunctions including the use of devices such as bridges, crowns, and dentures
If you need to have a sensitive procedure done, determine the field of specialty of your Philadelphia dentist before proceeding. Those who are highly trained in a certain field are more likely to produce the best results possible. However, even if your favored dentist did not take up your preferred specialty, dont discount their experience. Many have undertaken these procedures on a number of patients and are well-qualified to treat your specific case. After they get these qualifications, they may be eligible to perform cosmetic dentistry as well as dental implants.
Once you are aware of the educational qualifications of your Philadelphia dentist, there are other things to look into. Just because a practitioner excelled academically does not immediately mean that he will do just as well professionally. Look at the positive and negative signs:
Positive Signs
The best Philadelphia dentists are those who are genuinely concerned about the well-being of their patients. They are detail-oriented and provide comprehensive dental treatment. If the patient is suffering from an unusual condition, they will recommend a full-mouth study including x-rays unless suitable films are available from the patients old dentist.
A complete mouth inspection involves examining the gums, teeth, tongue, lips, palate, the inside of your cheeks, and even the skin on the face and neck. The Philadelphia dentists will also feel for abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland or lymph node. All findings will be charted in detail for reference later on. Even if you dont have any specific problem, a visit to the dentist can yield a lot of benefits. It will also let you know if there are risks in taking cosmetic dentistry if you are so inclined.
Regular check-ups can prevent problems from getting worse. Bite evaluations, tooth cleaning, fluoride treatments, and early interventions can help you avoid costly dental treatments later on. The frequency of testing and maintenance care is dependent on the recommendations of the dentist. It will be based on the condition of your gums, cavity formation, and the rate of calculus formation. Any individual issue will be addressed as well. Good dentists doesnt stop there, they also place patients on a recall schedule for continual maintenance.
The true test of the dentists ability is in his work. When high-quality treatment is given, it should last for a very long time, even for a lifetime. On the other hand, if you are unfortunate enough to encounter a bad dentist, his work will get damaged or decay in a few years time. You may need to undergo additional treatment to fix the previous dentists mistakes.
High-quality cosmetic dentistry is not done mechanically in an assembly-like style. Rather, it requires an individual approach and meticulous attention to detail. Patients have different needs and no two set of teeth are the same. Every little dental problem can multiply tenfold if it is not treated properly. When the dentist recommends a sensitive procedure, try to have a clear understanding of what it entails.
Know the benefits, risks, and process that will be used for the treatment, whether it is about getting a cosmetic dentistry treatment or getting emergency dental care. It might be a good idea to ask for alternative treatment options as well. There might be several ways to accomplish the same goal. The difference lies in its advantages, disadvantages, and costs.
Negative Signs
Compelling advertising does not necessarily translate to high-quality service. Some of the best Philadelphia dentists dont even advertise because they have a steady stream of patients. Also, mass advertising means that the dental clinic youre interested in may be more into quantity rather than the quality of procedures done.
There are also Philadelphia dentists that put an emphasis on one-time cosmetic dentistry. While this isnt bad by itself depending on the procedure, it should serve as a warning sign that the dental practitioner isnt into long term maintenance care. He or she prefers comprehensive one-time solutions that may work or backfire. All the risks associated with these kinds of procedure must be divulged to you.
Another disturbing practice among some dental professionals is the regular use of intravenous sedation. This is not always necessary and it can lead to other medical problems. General anesthesia may sometimes be administered to children based on the severity of the dental procedure done. However, the majority of patients do not need any form of sedation for routine dentistry.
Philadelphia dentists who engage in non-professional practices that are unrelated to his line of expertise should be avoided as well. For example, there are practitioners who actually try to sell dietary supplements to their patients who came in to have a dental procedure done. Those that claim to be experts in holistic treatments and specialize in headaches and backaches among others should not be entertained as well.
Unless you trust your Philadelphia dentist, it is important to do prior research about your condition before visiting the dentists. Some may recommend the most expensive treatment for the problem even though a lot of alternatives exist. In addition, a certain number might even provide treatments that are downright dangerous or carry unnecessary risks.
If they offer to diagnose neuralgia-inducing cavitational ostenecrosis (NICO), politely turn it down. Any dentist that recommends that removal of teeth that already have root canals or the replacement of amalgam fillings should be avoided as well.
How Most People Choose their Philadelphia Dentist
Most people choose their dentist based of the following: (1) location of the office, (2) office hours, (3) payment plans and options, and (4) friendliness of the practitioner. Obviously, people will prefer a Philadelphia dentist that is close to their home, office, or childrens school and office hours will play the same role in this regard. On the other hand, cost and payment options are also an essential factor for many.
The services of well-known Philadelphia cosmetic dentistry practitioners, for example, may be expensive. The friendliness of the dentist also determines whether the patient will come back or not. But more than that, the rapport and level of comfort the practitioner provides is important. If he understands your needs and meets your expectations, competence will speak for itself.
Location convenience is of primary importance for a majority of dental patients. No one wants to commute for several hours if they can help it. Even if the dentistry clinic is located near your place, always make it a point to arrive on time during scheduled visits.
Costs and Payment Options find out whether the clinic accepts your insurance coverage. The payment options offered should also be considered depending on your needs. A lot of Philadelphia dentists accept only cash and credit card payment. However, once you become a regular patient, most of them will also accept personal checks. The frequency of payment (for certain treatments) must also be discussed.
Personal Preference do you feel comfortable with the practitioner? The main thing is to be able to ask questions and discuss your symptom in detail. The Philadelphia dentist should pay careful attention when you talk about this. If you feel that he or she isnt listening, it might be best to seek another practitioner than risk a malpractice. It is also best if you can express your fears and concerns so that these will be addressed immediately.
Professionalism at Work aside from the dentists educational qualifications and experience, his professionalism at work and even the look of his office will tell you a lot about his style. The dental clinic should be clean and there should be policies on infection control. After the last patient has left, every single tool that was used must be properly cleaned.
Emergency Care find out if the Philadelphia dentist can be contacted in times of emergencies. Is he willing to work out of hours or even during the weekend if you need an emergency dentist? And would he take responsibility for anything that goes wrong on your treatment? The dentist you choose should be available when you contact him during an emergency situation.
Find Good Dentists in Your Area
Before looking elsewhere, it makes sense to go to the family Philadelphia dentist first to see if he or she has the necessary expertise for the cosmetic dentistry procedure you want. If you dont know any dental practitioner in the area personally, it might be a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends, family, and acquaintances. The local health professional might also know of a good dentist near your place.
Once you have identified some prospect, try to pay the dentist a visit. It will help you get acquainted and comfortable with the Philadelphia cosmetic dentist. If your personalities match and competence doesnt seem to be an issue, ask about payment plans and fees. Most Philadelphia cosmetic dentistry practitioners prefer that patients initiate all discussions about finances. When large fees are involved for comprehensive dental work, it is best to ask for a written document stating the fees and payment terms of the procedure.
If you receive even a minor treatment on the first day, judge the dentists skills and concern about your well-being. Some questions you should ask yourself include:
Does the bite feel alright?
Did the treatment irritate your gums?
Did the dentist polish your fillings?
Do you feel pain when you have hot or cold drinks?
Did the dentist make use of water spray while drilling?
Does your tooth or dental floss catch on a tooth?
Is he or she a gentle Philadelphia dentist?
Be cautions in trusting any dental or even medical professional. Remember that these practitioners are human too and they are susceptible to mistakes as well as greed. There was a reporter once posed as a patient for Readers Digest. He visited 50 dental clinics in a number of states. The cost quoted ranged from $20 to $141. The reporter brought his x-ray films and told the dental professionals he had insurance coverage.
The only immediate problem he had, as verified by four dentists prior to the assignment, required one molar filling or crown. Work in another tooth may be recommended as well. Of all the dentists, only 12 had similar findings. 15 of them didnt notice any problem with the molar tooth. There was one dentists who even said that crowning all the of reporters teeth is recommended. It would cost $13,440.
Overall, it is important to look at the all-around expertise, qualifications, and personality of the Philadelphia dentist. All dental procedures including those involving dental implants should be done in a professional manner. Also take into consideration whether the cosmetic dentist you choose offers emergency dental care when you need it.
by: Thomas Morgan
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