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Many people think all dental practices are the same. There are actually four types.
Dedicated to achieving optimum oral health. Optimum health of the natural teeth has as its goal the restoration of the teeth to ideal beauty, function, comfort and longevity. A thorough examination is completed and goal setting is instituted to create a Master Plan for maximum protection and preservation of the person's oral health. Crucial to optimum health are good daily oral hygiene habits and a regular schedule of professional examinations and oral hygiene appointments to prevent decay and gum disease.
The quality of care is good and preventive measures are fairly effective, but the patient is not encouraged to achieve optimum health. Usually maintenance dentistry is intermediate dentistry. It includes large silver or tooth colored fillings instead of crowns or onlays. It is not proactive dentistry which allows us to anticipate and prevent future problems.
No long-term thought is given to either prevention of decay, gum disease, or occlusion (bite) related problems. Teeth are filled as they break and when the gums bleed badly enough, the patients have their teeth cleaned. This represents a large percentage of the dental practices in America today. Insurance plans often direct their members into this type of practice, as their concern is short-term cost containment, not long-term health. Patients who go to this kind of practice often don't like it. They are not aware that dentistry can offer them much more.
Patients are seen only for emergency treatment. The majority of patients in this type of practice lose teeth, usually by the age of 35-55, depending on their heredity, eating habits and oral hygiene habits.
We believe in establishing long-term relationships built on you freedom to choose. We value developing a mutual respect with each of the patients we serve. Because of this, our practice is fashioned to provide the care described in type 1 and 2 above. In this way we may enjoy our profession and provide a superior service for our patients.
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