How To Choose A Dentist

Going to the dentist can be quick, easy, pain-free, and anxiety-free with amazingly comfortable dental care.

In this guide, you will discover:

The harsh reality about dentistry that most dentists don't want you to know

Hi! My name is Dr. Lee, and I want to congratulate you on taking the step to find out how you and others can have a whiter, brighter, more attractive and more confident smile with pain free, anxiety free dental care.

I've created this guide to educate people like yourself, who want to improve their smile, prevent cavities, or need dentures, want it done without pain, and don't know what questions to ask or what procedures are available to them. You may not know that with advancements in technology (and a dentist who stays up to date in his or her training), you can turn any smile into a 5 Star Smile in just a few short visits. The greatest thing about all this is that it can be done is a pain-free, anxiety-free environment, where you don't feel a pinch of pain, and can enjoy the experience!

Nothing makes you and I feel more vulnerable than walking into a place to purchase something without knowing what to ask for. Perhaps you've brought your car in to get an oil change, not wanting anything more, and your mechanic has told you 10 other things that are wrong with your car. He may be telling you the truth, but the problem is you have no way of knowing for sure.

The same thing happens when you go to buy a new car. The car salesman sizes you up to see how much you know, because they know they will be negotiating a price with you soon. If you are informed and know what you're talking about, you will be able to buy the same car for much less than a person who doesn't have a clue.

All Dentists are not the same

The American Dental Association did a research study where they sent a prospective patient to 12 different dental offices to get price quotes. The prospect was given 12 completely different dental treatment plans and 12 different price quotes. Some of the quotes differed by over $5000.

It is important to know what procedures you want to have done, and what your options are. Betsy White is a patient of mine who came in wanting to put in 6 veneers. This would have cost her more than $7000, but all she needed was to have her teeth whitened to get the same results. This saved her thousands of dollars. I hope this guide can do the same for you!

Q: How can dentistry be pain free?

A: Painful needle injections, the high-pitched sound of dental drills, and getting anesthesia that doesn't allow you to eat or talk normally can make anyone not want to go to the dentist. But with recent advancements in technology, you no longer have to fear or avoid your next dental visit.

An end to the dental drill

Perhaps one of the most dreaded instruments of all time is the dental drill. Just the sound of it can make one shudder. But a new technology called air abrasion may one day eliminate drills forever.

Air abrasion works on teeth much like a sand blaster works on a building. Tiny particles of aluminum oxide are blasted in a stream of water to remove the decayed debris and ruined enamel of cavities. This system is nearly painless and eliminates the need for numbing shots. The air abrasion system is more precise than conventional drills, allowing the dentist to save more of the healthy enamel that surrounds the cavity. However, this only works when you treat a cavity while it is still small; it does not work for larger cavities.

Q: What if I'm still afraid?

A: It's normal to be afraid. We have many patients who were afraid when they came in to our office for the first time. They left feeling much better, and now enjoy coming in every 3-6 months. The best example is my mom. She wouldn't even get her teeth cleaned without laughing gas (nitrous oxide). She was petrified of the dentist, but no longer.

On your first visit, I'll offer nitrous oxide, and explain that for that first visit, we're only going to look and talk about what procedures are required. The patient and dentist are a team, and we will never make you feel like you're being dictated or pressure you. I hate when that happens to me, and will never do it to you.

The patient feels in control at all times

One of the most important aspects in creating a pain-free enjoyable experience is choosing a dentist who truly cares and is highly competent in using the latest pain-free technology, because not all dentists are. My main goal is for my patients to have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.

What I always say when I do any type of procedure is for patients to simply raise their left hand if they feel any type of pain or discomfort, and I can give more anesthetic. It's important for them to know they have control. If they want me to stop at any time or they need a break, I ask them to raise that left hand. I even provide a device that makes a noise to alert me to stop if they want.

What's important is that you feel you are in control of what's happening, and that you know that if you feel pain that I will not continue. The most important thing is for you to understand that we are in this together to get you the best results possible, in the most comfortable pain-free way.

Misconception: The dentist that offers the lowest price is the dentist you should choose.

This may sometimes to be true, but not always. Here are some points to consider when looking at cost.

The price you are offered may not be for the services you want performed.

Before you select a practice, decide waht you want to accomplish. If a dentist charges much less than other dentists, it may indicate that he or she runs through procedures faster, spending less time with each patient. This may not be good, because the focus is not on quality. Also, price is usually an indication of quality. More efficient dentistry may cost more. Better trained dentists who want to give you more time and quality of service cost more. Reliable services and products cost more. Don't let price alone be the deciding factor when choosing a dentist.

The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay

Many people have learned that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount they charged. You may have been the victim of false or misleading advertising. You probably learned the hard way that some practices offer a cheap price, then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get you in the office. Some of them may not even mean to do it, but it happens.

Other practices, like my own, work hard to earn your trust and respect.

My practice is dedicated to educating the public. The only way you can make an informed decision is to have all the facts you need. If you're thinking about having your teeth examined, whitened, or are looking for other dental procedures, let me make three recommendations.

Recommendation #1: Make a commitment to get your teeth and gums examined every 6 months

.

The longer you wat, the worse and more costly treatment will be. Regular checkups extend the life of your teeth and help mantain their look and feel.

Also, 4 out of 5 people suffer the worst silent killer of teeth - periodontitis, aka gum disease, and many don't even know it. If your gums bleed when you brush or eat hard foods, if you have bad breath, pain, or sores in your mouth, if your gums are pulled back, making your teeth appear longer, or if you see pus between your gums and teeth, you must get in right away!

Recommendation #2: Ask questions

The way to learn about a practice is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are questions I suggest you ask:

By asking these questions and spending the small amount of time necessary to make an intelligent choice for a dentist, you will help create a dentist-patient relationship founded on mutual trust and respect.

Recommendation #3: Once you're satisfied that you're working with an honest, competent professional, set up an appointment

By following these recommendations, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you have any other questions about finding a dentist, or would like to schedule a consultation, please email me or call our office at (408) 978-6601. I look forward to hearing from you.