Choosing the right Dentist in Brantford Marketing. Whether we like it or not, it’s everywhere, and dentistry is no exception. So, whether you’re buying a new car or a new smile, the old adage, “Buyer Beware” is equally relevant.
I can completely appreciate that time and money both play an important role in the decision-making process for most people with respect to their dental care. However, making choices based solely on these considerations, without factoring quality into the equation, could and often does lead to disappointment and wasted time and money in the end. Simply put, faster and cheaper is not always better.
So what are some of these claims that we come across on a regular basis in the world of dentistry that should be carefully considered and evaluated? Here are a few examples that come to mind.
Braces in 6 Months
Can it be done? Sure – but only in very specific cases. In most situations however, 6 months is simply not enough time to get a patient’s teeth where they need to be and have them remain there over the long-run. Teeth simply need time to not only move but to settle into place. The most beautiful smile can literally fall apart due to orthodontic relapse when braces come off too early.
In the words of the founder of an orthodontic product called The Six Month Smiles System, “Of course there are some cases in which a patient’s malocclusion is severe (eg, skeletal open bites, arch discrepancies, etc). In such instances, traditional orthodontics would provide a tangible functional benefit for these patients. However, when a patient’s motivation for straightening their teeth is cosmetically driven, Six Month Smiles is the short-term orthodontic and systematic cosmetic braces solution.” While of course aesthetics are very important to consider in the treatment plans of all of my orthodontic patients, it should not at the expense of many other factors that in my opinion, are also very important. Furthermore, “aesthetics” to me means more than simply straight teeth. It should take into consideration the size, shape and prominence of a patient’s jaw, the size of one’s smile and a host of other factors that you can read more about in my article entitled “Braces: Beyond Cosmetics… Other important reasons for orthodontics.”
Same-Day Dentures
This is a valid and valuable technique for someone who is about to undergo extraction of their front teeth as it prevents a patient from having to go toothless while his or her mouth heals. While there are obvious benefits to this approach, it is not without problems. Because the denture must be made before the extraction is done, it is difficult to get a good fit as there is no opportunity to first try a wax mockup. Also, gum tissues can change in shape and size during the healing process, thereby gradually compromising the fit of the denture over the following 6 to 12 months. So the fine print here is, be prepared to have the denture relined or possibly even remade within the year. This will add to the cost of treatment. Having said that, it may still well be worth it for many patients, but it is something individuals deserve to be made aware of up front when considering all of their denture options.
Same-Day Implants or Teeth
“Same day implants” most often describe when a faulty tooth is removed and replaced by an implant in the same appointment. This method occasionally works when the conditions are just perfect, but it is not uncommon for surgeons to find that there is simply not enough bone in the right places to support an appropriate implant. In these cases, bone and gum grafting are required. Furthermore, placing implants in fresh extraction sites is more likely to lead to compromised results and disappointed patients.
“Same Day Teeth” makes the even more seductive promise of enabling patients to have their teeth removed and their implants and teeth (usually in the form of a denture) placed in one appointment. Sounds great, but read the fine print. This process again can only work in a very select number of cases. And, often two different types of implants must be used; one set right away, and the other later on in the treatment plan. Of course, this adds to the overall costs. This approach also has the same problems as same-day dentures, of the mouth changing during the healing process, thereby necessitating components to be relined or remade later on within the year.
Steven Deskin is a Dentist in general practice.
