How to Choose the Right Dentist for You

When looking for a dentist in Silver Spring, MD, it’s crucially important to find the right dentist for you. Even though all dentists have gone through dental school, passed the necessary classes, gone through the dental licensing process, found a job at a dental office or started their own dental office, and keep up with their continuing education as required by their state licensing board, not every dentist will be right for your specific needs. Everyone has their own unique dental challenges, and everyone has their own unique preferences for the dental setting, fee structure, and personality of the dentist and his or her personnel. Here are some points to consider when choosing a dentist:

1. What are your current dental challenges and what dental procedures do you foresee having done in the next ten years?

If you have perfect teeth and are only seeking a dental office where you can go a couple of times a year for a routine dental cleaning, then you will only require a general dentist. A good general Dentist Silver SpringMD is fairly easy to find. On the other hand, if you have a toothache, dental decay, a history of periodontal disease, one or more missing teeth, or cosmetic imperfections in your smile that you wish to alleviate, you will obviously be spending more time in the dental chair. You will likely require the work of a cosmetic dentist, periodontist, implant dentist, or orthodontist. You should seek out a dental office that offers a wide array of services, more than one dentist, and/or a dentist who specializes in the specific type of work that you require.

2. How far is the dentist’s office from your home or your workplace?

Look up the address of any dental clinic you are planning to visit, drive to the physical location before setting up an appointment if possible, or use internet or GPS technology such as Google maps to find dental offices within a certain radius from your home or workplace. If you are going to be visiting the dentist multiple times for cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, or orthodontic work, you will likely want to find a dental clinic that is only a short drive from where you normally go during your daily routine. If the dentist’s office is too far away, it can become far too easy to just cancel an upcoming appointing because you don’t want to or can’t make the long drive.

3. Ask the people in your social networks.

If you require the work of a specialist, such as an implant dentist, you may have to go beyond asking your immediate friends and family if they have some implant Silver Spring Dentist that they recommend. However, if you check your online social networks, such as Yelp reviews, twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others, you will likely find people in your area who have reviewed local dental specialists. You can usually tell a real online review from a fake one. Use your best judgment, and always interview two or three dentists before making a large financial commitment.