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6B ♦ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2006 ; ' /#sr . / " ■ /, * '.| y 7 % /4 professional office is more than happy to share service details with you. One dental question that many people have is “What can I do to make my smile look better?” The reality is that dentists are now capable of help ing you create the appearance you’ve always dreamed of having. This can be accomplished in several ways, including teeth whitening, shape changing, closer spacing, and stain removal. Using these techniques, a professional can virtually rebuild your smile to “magazine advertisement quality.” When contemplating these procedures, it is important to gain a basic knowledge of the types of procedures you may be undergoing. This information is easily found on the Internet and can also be provided to you by your dentist. The two most important qualities that a dentist must possess when dealing with cosmetic cases are time and atten tion. He or she must spend the time edu cating the patient on all of the treatment options and their possible risks, as well as the time it takes to plan and carry out an outstanding aesthetic-based treatment plan. The attention provided is also important. This is in the form of personal attention and attention to detail. A great dentist who performs aesthetic procedures must give you the personal attention you need in order to walk you through the complicated process. He or she must also pay special attention to detail, as the success hinges on a series of sequenced steps being followed in perfect order. Many dentists are capable of quality aesthetic work; however, you should search for those in dividuals who seem truly excited by the prospect of helping someone improve *De*tt<zl /s44&ciate<i General & Cosmetic Dentistry Routine cleanings and oral exams Root canals Crown & bridge Minor surgical procedures Invisalign Cosmetic veneers Tooth whitening Implants At Perry Dental Associates our goal is to provide full spectrum dental care for the whole family. We serve patients with a variety of dental needs and cosmetic goals, and enjoy taking time to make a. difference in each smile with as l e Louis C. Shelton, DMD his or her self-image and confidence. People should be aware that there are many great dentists practicing today. You should look for one who strives each day to live up to the highest standards and who treats patients like family. This is the cornerstone to pro viding outstanding dental care. Striving to make patients feel comfortable and listening to them are qualities too often overlooked. The good news is that there are many dentists who share similar phi losophies, and this should guide you and help you find the right doctor. Recom mendations from friends and family can be a great source of information also. Dental teams love hearing from new pa tients, so don’t hesitate to call a dentist and ask questions. If you take an active role in your oral health, you should find the best dentist for your needs. For most people a trip to the dental office is not on their “my top five things to do today" list. While this is under standable, there is good news for every one. It does not have to be a bad expe rience. The materials and techniques which dentists have at their disposal make providing and receiving dental care more pleasurable today than it ever has been. Keeping this in mind, the con sumers of dental care want to know how to spend their money wisely, and they want assurances about the quality of the dental care they receive. To that end, there are three factors which will help you to select a truly great dentist. The first factor deals with profession alism. The best dentists are always striv ing to remain at the forefront of their profession. This ensures that the care you receive is of the highest quality pos sible. Attending continuing education courses and participating in symposiums and study groups are how a dentist ac complishes this. You want to seek out a fmiMflifflfrl. H fwNip - -#** fir jtrJllßßm sNlif , 1 ,. '-Jrj, ><aL • y&«p •. r&tfm ■ Js&M'W M SSL: % ify|| r /p ■ fj||Ml "liPSiy dentist who understands that learning is the essence of life. Do not be afraid to ask your prospective dentists about their continuing education. Those that are active learners will be excited to share with you their most recent educational experiences. You should also inquire what pro cedures are performed in a compre hensive exam. Your doctor should be very thorough in gathering informa tion not only about your teeth but also about your medical and social history. In a comprehensive exam, you should receive a periodontal evaluation, an x-ray examination, a cancer screening, and a tooth-by-tooth exam. Skepticism should arise if a dentist’s examination does not include these services. The best offices will be more than happy to share with you the details of their new-patient program. The second factor that you should consider is the services offered by your prospective dentist. It is important to de cide on the-type of care you desire and then seek out a provider who best fits your needs. For instance, if you require a removable denture, it would not be a goqd idea to go to someone who does not offer dentures as part of his or her services. You should inquire with the dentist on what his or her philosophy of dental treatment is and what areas they focus on. The great dentists will be more than happy to share this informa tion with you. Remember, no one dentist can be every person’s provider, so you should search for the one with the ser vices and philosophies that best suit you. The final factor in looking for the best dentist is personality. You should seek out an individual with whom you get along and who can effectively com municate with you in an easily under standable manner. The best doctors are those who have the ability to connect with their patients and make them feel at ease. In short, you want to look for a person with exceptional “bedside manner.” You should also evaluate the friendliness of the staff. These are the people with whom you will spend much of your dental-care time; therefore, it is essential that they be warm, friendly and, most important, willing to help you and listen to your concerns. The person ality of your doctor and his or her staflT form the lasting impressions that you will take with you when you leave the office. In seeking a dentist to fulfill your cosmetic needs, it is important to gain as much information as possible. This means that you need to ask questions. Great dentists will address all of your concerns and carefully map out alterna tives and potential risks associated with the various treatments. They should also be able to produce examples of treatment so that you can visualize the outcome. The Top Five Things You Should Know... 1. A great dentist is generous with his or her time and attention. 2. Gather all the information you can about credentials and procedures. 3. Seek a dentist who regularly participates in continuing education. 4. Make sure that your dentist communicates freely and is one with whom you feel comfortable. 5. Determine which dentists are the best in the services you re quire. ■ I.outi C. MuTton I aid I . * |M[ \ fyjs Mil? Thomas W. Shelton, DMD HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL 00038943