Hello! I’m Dr. Jay! As a dentist in a dental clinic in Los Angeles, I take care of people’s natural teeth and gums every day. Having so many people with different dental issues has helped me realize how important it is to pick the appropriate dental office.
What do you usually think about when you pick a dental clinic? It usually depends on why you came. It could be easier to have routine cleanings, check-ups, or fluoride treatments in a clinic close by. But if you need more complicated procedures like root canal therapy, implants, periodontal treatment, or orthodontics, choosing a clinic based only on where it is may not be enough.
Two Key Factors in Choosing a Dental Clinic
When I help people pick a dental facility, I think about two primary things. First, whether the clinic puts saving natural teeth first. Patients are occasionally informed they need several implants or extractions, even if some teeth could be spared. A clinic that stresses retaining natural teeth and can do procedures like root canal therapy or crowns when they can makes a big impact.
Second, I look at how well the clinic talks to and cares for its patients. Patients can better comprehend their treatment plan and feel more confidence when you explain the steps of the procedure, show them X-rays or images of their mouths, and talk about their options, like root canal treatments, implants, or periodontal treatment.
If you remember these two things—keeping your natural teeth and choose a dental facility where you can easily talk to the staff—your dental care will go much more smoothly and safely.
Putting Natural Teeth First
Keeping natural teeth is one of the most important things dentists do. During a routine check-up, patients are sometimes advised that they need many extractions or implants, even though some teeth might be spared. In these situations, it’s really important to find a clinic that puts a lot of emphasis on keeping natural teeth whenever they can.
When I check on a patient, I look at the condition of their tooth roots, the advancement of their periodontal disease, any lesions around the root, and how stable their occlusion is. This helps me figure out if I really need to pull teeth or put in implants. Root canal therapy, resin fillings, or crowns can typically save a tooth with small cavities or periapical diseases.
I tell my patients a lot, “Go to more than one clinic and compare your oral health and treatment plans.” You can save money and prevent unneeded surgeries by looking into a clinic’s approach to root canal therapy, prosthodontics, and how much they focus on keeping natural teeth.
Clear Communication and Patient-Centered Care
The second most crucial thing is how well you talk to and care for your patients. Patients feel more at ease when clinics provide them full consultations and detailed explanations before treatment. Showing pictures of the inside of the mouth, X-rays, or panoramic scans and saying, “This area has a cavity that is getting bigger, so we’ll keep an eye on the root and suggest regular scaling. Here’s a long-term treatment plan” helps people grasp what will happen and feel less anxious.
It’s crucial to keep track of progress at each stage of therapies that need more than one visit. For instance, in implant therapy, the first appointment may check the health of the gums and bones, and the second visit may decide if bone grafts are needed and finish the plan for the prosthetic. This method also works for orthodontics, root canal treatments, and periodontal care.
Patients might feel confidence during treatment at clinics that give them ample information and choices to make smart decisions. These clinics don’t simply do treatments; they also think about the long-term health of your teeth, gums, and bite.
Focus on Long-Term Dental Health
Keep these two things in mind while choosing a dental clinic: protecting natural teeth and making sure that communication is focused on the patient. As a dentist, my main goal is to assist patients keep their teeth and gums healthy and their occlusion correct. I also want to avoid extractions and implants as much as possible and give clear, precise instructions.
Please get in touch if you have any queries or would like to talk to someone about your dental health. I’m happy to go over everything with you one-on-one.
