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Choosing A Raleigh Dentist
If you live in Raleigh, NC or any other large NC city and are trying to choose a new dentist
, you could easily face a dilemma when you start trying to narrow the field to suit your own purposes. Ignoring for a moment the existence of clear subspecialties of dentistry (such as oral surgeons and periodontists), there are more than 250 general dentists in Raleigh from whom to choose!Many general dentists choose to focus on a specific audience, such as children (pediatric dentistry). But you may become confused about what services other types of dentists are actually making available to you, especially if you read the promotional materials for Raleigh dentists. All of the categories that follow are merely areas of focus that, like pediatric dentistry, have to do with the type of people a dental practice is trying to specifically serve. This is, after all, an age of specialization, and dentists are trying to be responsive to needs of different types of patients. The definitions that follow are informal; most are not formally defined by the American Dental Association or the NC Dental Board, nor are there specific regulations that govern them - except as noted below. The NC Dental Board requires that all general dentists meet certain guidelines, and general dentists may opt to call themselves any of the following (additional requirements apply in cases as indicated):
Cosmetic Dentistry Dentists who perform work that is primarily aesthetic in nature in other words, they provide services that will enhance your smile.
Implant Dentistry Dentists who provide dental implants (replacements for your natural teeth), which are an alternative to dentures and bridges, or may be used in conjunction with them to provide greater stability and/or an improved, more natural appearance.
Sedation Dentistry Dentists who provide additional sedation services (beyond the standard anesthetics used by most general dentists) to help manage anxiety and sensitivity to pain. Effective in 2009, the NC Dental Board now regulates the administration of sedation by general dentists requiring both special training and experience for those who provide sedation services. There are different levels of sedation permits. Most patients who experience anxiety or have sensitivity to pain can be served by the level known as Oral Conscious Sedation.
Preventive Dentistry Dentists who focus on the preservation of healthy teeth and gums and the prevention of cavities and oral disease. All general dentists have training in preventive dentistry, as well as restorative procedures (fillings, crowns, etc.) needed to preserve oral health. Preventive dental care is more likely to be at least partially covered by dental insurance, while cosmetic dentistry services often are not.
Family Dentistry Dentists whose focus is on treating patients of all ages (as opposed to pediatric dentists). Family dentists often place primary focus on providing preventive dentistry services, rather than cosmetic dentistry services.
Comprehensive Dentistry Dentists who are interested in being full-service providers for their patients sparing the patient/family from frequent referrals to specialists. Their services may include cosmetic and implant dentistry services, orthodontic services, and periodontal treatments in addition of preventive dentistry services. These dentists may have more extensive training in order to offer the broader range of services. (Check the experience.) In addition to convenience, they offer an ongoing and full understanding of the patient (needs, preferences, expectations, general health) to make all aspects of dental care more customized and easier for patients. This is a relatively new type of practice, although rapidly gaining popularity.
Now that you understand the differences in types of general dentistry service categories, dont be confused if you find that some dentists fall into more than one category. Use the categories to help you decide which types of services you want both now and in the future.
Experience Matters!
As you begin to evaluate what type of general dentist in Raleigh best suits your needs, remember that experience is very important to consider, too. Check the initial training of the dentist, but also consider what types of additional clinical experience the dentist received, in addition to the number of years he or she has been in private practice. From a reputation standpoint, how long has the dentist been in practice in the Raleigh area? If you plan to use cosmetic or comprehensive dentistry services, it may be helpful to ask about the number of similar procedures your prospective Raleigh dentist has performed. Certainly, looks matter when it comes to cosmetic dentistry results, but function and oral health are very important to preserve during the smile enhancement process.
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