What to Know When Choosing the Right Family Dentist
October 29, 2020
When it’s time to search for a new family dentist, you may find yourself wondering how in the world you should go about narrowing the list and finding the right choice for your household. With so many options to choose from, knowing how to locate the perfect fit with a new dental professional can be a daunting task. That’s why our DeSoto dental professionals put every effort into making things easy for our patients – both new and continuing!
The Basics of Choosing the Right Dental Professional
Searching for the best family dentist can be confusing if you’re not sure what to look for. The right professional isn’t always (and shouldn’t be) as simple as choosing the first name you come across in the phone book or online search. There are many factors to consider that will help you narrow your list of options to one that’s tailored to your family’s specific oral hygiene needs. While there are a number of things to consider, here is a look at some of the most basic issues to keep in mind when shopping for a new family dentist:
- Do they offer the specific family services you need (emergency dentistry, sedative dentistry, etc.)?
- Do they accept your insurance and/or are they in your covered insurance network?
- Are they highly recommended by your friends and family and their other patients?
- Are they accepting new patients?
- Are they properly licensed and devoted to on-going certifications and education?
The Next Steps
Once you have narrowed down your list of potential new family dentists, it’s time to take a more detailed look at your options. There are a few ways you can get to know a respective oral professional before committing to patient status – all of which will help you gain a better feel for how well they fit with your family’s needs and dynamics.
In the Lancaster area, there are a wide range of dental professionals to choose from. Taking a deeper look at your options will help you land the perfect fit for your family. To do this, explore the information provided on their websites in great detail. Check to see that they are properly accredited, look for online reviews to hear what their previous patients have to say about their own experiences, and note their available services.
Schedule a Visit
After doing some diligent online research, the next step is to make some phone calls and plan a visit. Call around to those dental professionals who have made your short list, and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions when you call. Take note of the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff members you have contact with. If you decide to visit the location in person for the initial contact, that’s an excellent way to gauge the cleanliness and professionalism of the office atmosphere.
Above all, the most important thing to consider when choosing a new family dental practitioner is to ensure they are the right fit for your specific family needs. Meet them. Talk to them. Ask lots of questions about their services and credentials. Just as you would any other professional service, doing your homework will help you land the perfect choice for your household.
Preparing for Cosmetic Dentistry: What to Expect
October 15, 2020
If you’re considering having some cosmetic dentistry performed, chances are, you have questions. Often times our patients come to us with concerns about cost, recovery times, result expectations, and many other things they are considering prior to an upcoming procedure – all of which are excellent questions! Whether you’re in the beginning stages and searching for the best dental office in DeSoto to perform your elected dental service, or you’ve been a patient for years and are looking to have some additional work done, we’re here to help!
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
For starters, one of the first things to understand is simply – what is cosmetic dentistry? Since different offices offer different procedures and services, it’s important to know exactly what your dentist can do before deciding which option is best for you.
Cosmetic dentistry is essentially an elective procedure that involves improving the overall healthy appearance of your smile. These services involve a wide range of options that can be tailored to your specific needs. At Lancaster Family Smiles, our team offers exceptional cosmetic dentistry practices that include:
- Gum line recontouring
- Gap corrections with bonding procedures
- Straightening options such as Invisalign, BioClear, and traditional braces
- Ceramic veneers
- Professional cleaning and whitening treatments
- Filling replacements to match your teeth
What to Know Before Your Procedure
Once you have discussed your viable options with your family dentist and come up with the right solution for your needs, it’s important to prepare by asking questions. Your trusted oral care professional should walk you through the steps from how to prepare for your upcoming procedure to tips for optimal recovery afterwards. It’s also imperative, however, for you to speak up with questions on anything you don’t understand.
Some of the most common questions and concerns we are asked by our patients prior to their cosmetic dentistry procedures include:
- Is this procedure covered by my dental insurance?
- Have others had great success with this procedure or service?
- Can I see images of previous patients’ successes?
- Will this be painful and/or how can I manage the recovery process?
- Do I need to be sedated for this procedure?
- How can I prepare for my treatment or procedure?
Preparing for Your Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure
After you’ve made the decision to schedule your elected cosmetic procedure, it’s best to begin preparations to ensure the smoothest service and recovery possible. Depending on which treatment you are seeking, your preparations could be minor or very complex. While your family dentist will be able to help you outline your preparations, here are a few of the most important steps to take prior to any cosmetic dentistry procedure:
- Call your insurance agency. Being surprised by high dental bills for something that your insurance didn’t cover is never a good thing. Always ensure you call to verify what procedures are (and are not) covered by your insurance before scheduling the service.
- Plan for down time. If you’re having a more extensive procedure done, you will want to plan for recovery time as needed. This may mean scheduling time off of work or other responsibilities.
- Follow your doctor’s orders. The most important step to ensure a healthy recovery process (and to allow optimal results), is to follow all advice given by your family dentist.