Tips For Selecting The Right Dentist

Selecting a dentist is a personal decision and one that should be made with care.  Rushing into choosing a dentist may lead to an uncomfortable experience or excessive costs.  While it is a good idea to talk to family and friends for a referral, the final decision has to be based on your research, experience, and unique preferences.  In addition, it may be beneficial to carefully consider a few of the following tips when choosing a dentist in St. Paul MN.

First of all, more and more dentists are choosing to provide specialized services.  It is important that you choose a dentist in St. Paul MN that provides the services that you need.  If you need standard dental care such as cleanings or diagnosis and treatment of dental problems such as cavities and certain gum diseases, a licensed dentist should be able to provide all of these services.  Beyond regular dental care, an endodontist is trained to diagnosis and treat the soft tissue of a tooth and provide procedures such as root canals.  An orthodontist provides corrective devices, such as braces, on teeth to correct their alignment and appearance.  Other specialties include: pediatric dentist (specialist for children), periodontist (cares for gum diseases), and prosthodontist (works with bridges and dentures). Some dentists are trained to provide multiple services which would eliminate the need to visit multiple specialists.

Once you have narrowed your list of dentists down to those that provide the services that you require it may be helpful to both contact the office by phone and visit it in person.  Some of the factors to keep in mind include the proximity of their office to your home or place of work and the hours that they are open.  Of course, it is important to make sure that the dentist will accept your dental insurance to keep costs manageable.  Moreover, it is vital that you make certain that they have undergone the necessary education and are licensed to practice dentistry.

While visiting the office, make sure that the office is clean and orderly.  Speak with the office staff to make sure that they are friendly and helpful.  Discuss what dental procedures they perform and what kinds of pain mediation and anesthesia they offer.  When you visit the dentist for the first time make sure that you feel comfortable discussing your concerns and that he or she takes the time to clearly explain the treatment options that are recommended.  Remember that it is the responsibility of the dentist to alleviate your concerns and to make you feel comfortable.  Once you have found a dentist in St. Paul MN that meets all of your criteria, you can relax and feel confident that you are in capable hands the next time you are in need of dental care.