Choose your Best Dentist

How to Choose your Best Dentist?

Best dentist is often a confusing term in cities like Bangalore or Chennai or any of the metropolitan cities in India.Patients are often worried about the high cost of dental work and feel that they have encountered dentists who do not do justice to their work.

Here is a typical example: My friend once told me a story about his wife who went to a dentist who charged Rs.X- for treatment. She thought that the charge was very high because she had a small cavity (according to her) and to fill the cavity,Rs.X- was too much. Moreover, the small cavity did not bother her so much except that very rarely some food would get stuck inside it, which she could easily take it out with a toothpick. Days went by and gradually she started getting pain in that area. The pain subsided, subsequently, she started experiencing pain very frequently which could not be relieved by painkillers.

 

One fine morning, she had a swelling. So, she went to the same dentist. But now the dentist told her that the treatment charges would be a minimum of Rs.6X(i.e 6 times X).The lady who thought Rs.X- was too much almost fainted when she heard that it would amount to Rs.6X

Swelling

She thought that the reason for the dentist to quote such an exorbitant amount might only be because she had come to him again despite charging Rs.X- (according to her). without thinking further, she took the medical prescription and told the doctor that she would report the following day.

After coming out of the dental office, she went to another dentist nearby even though she had no personal acquaintance. To her surprise, that dentist quoted Rs.4X for the treatment. Without a second thought, she told the doctor to start her procedure (root canal treatment) which was to be done in three visits. All these made her lose trust in the previous doctor and led to many conclusions about dentists, their ways and costs of dental treatment.

Hearing all these, even my friend got a bad image about the previous dentist who is also a good friend of mine and a well-known busy practitioner.

Having been told of this incident, I told my friend to take to take the story further ahead. So he continued. After the third visit, her root canal treatment was finished and she was very happy with it. The dentist also told her that she required a crown for the same tooth, as the tooth is very weak and can fracture at any time, which would her a minimum of Rs.3X. She came home after fixing an appointment with the dentist for the preparation for the crown. The story ends there.

But I rang the other dentist who as I mentioned earlier, is a friend of mine and asked about this lady. As expected, his treatment charge of Rs.6X- was inclusive of the crown charge.

First of all, the cavity the lady had in her mouth might have been small according to her; but the dentist might have found that it was deep inside either clinically or with X-rays. This might be the reason for the pain and swelling in a few days time or else the dentist might have been trying to save the tooth from a root canal treatment even though it was deep enough. Sometimes, if the lady had gone to another dentist on the same day, he might have suggested a root canal treatment directly. This also explains why Rs.X- has shot up to Rs.6X- in a manner of a few days.

The second visit to Dr. S’s clinic was terrifying for the patient after she heard about Rs.6X-. She did not bother to ask the dentist about the details of treatment or the procedures she had to undergo because she had the preconception that the dentist was charging very high. If she had asked for, he might have explained in detail.

Dr. S knew that the lesion was deep inside and would require mass preparation of the tooth; so he might have had the opinion that the crown was a necessity as the tooth structure would be very weak after the root canal procedure; so he did not explain about the crown separately at first. Perhaps, he would have explained, if she had asked for it and believe me, most dentists who are experienced can very well read the minds of patients have come to do treatment or not.

The difference in treatment charges among different dentists is a vast topic; there are several reasons and sometimes the high priced dentist is on a favourable side and vice versa.

Now take the case of dental crowns which are available in various types; the procedures of cutting the tooth for a crown also requires many armamentaria which are also available in different qualities; to add to it even the impression taking technique differ from one practitioner to another. sometimes the impression alone can cost the dentist nothing less than Rs.1000/- (a special type of material called silicone) which can record the tooth details so precisely that it will reflect in the crown after it is placed. You can feel the difference of a crown which is seated perfected and which is not. More than that, the price of a crown depends on its quality as well as the lab from which it is fabricated.

Another thing is Dr. N might have told the lady about an all-ceramic crown which is expensive than metal and metal ceramic crowns.

Metal Crown
Metal Ceramic Crown
Ceramic Crown

Now you might have got more confused on deciding; whose treatment is best and whose not. To decide that, you should speak to the dentist, ask your relevant doubts and know about the options available and try to gain some knowledge about the options from reliable articles or relatives who are in the field of dentistry.

Now the question arises,

Whom to trust?

It all depends on the sincerity and dedication of the dentist. This can be known from his degrees, from his explanations, from previous treatments got done from him, from your friends or neighbours who have undergone treatment from the same dentist. All these will help evaluate which doctor is better and why.

Now I will try to explain to you some facts about dentistry which you should know as a common man.

Dental care is not a commodity. It is not laundry detergent or breakfast cereal or wireless minutes. Dentistry is a professional service which combines both art and science. Yes, there are excellent dentists and not-so-great dentists. Often, you get what you pay for. Remember, even great dentists have bad days.

 

Never avoid or reject a dentists / Dental specialist’s treatment just because it is costly, instead ask the person or office concerned on what makes the specialists to charge so and so more than the other doctors and what added benefit you get out of this. If it is worth it, go for it. Always try to find the demerits and the part where he is going to compromise, before taking treatment from a dentist who does cheaper treatment and then decide if you are really in need of compromising on them. Try never to compromise on quality especially when it comes to health care.

Labs differ in the quality of the products they produce. We all want our dentists to use high-quality labs for things like crowns and debentures. Should have to ask about the labs? Yes, if you have good knowledge about the labs. Otherwise, we should trust our dentists to select a good one.

In my view, you always want to use a good lab, because if the crown breaks, you are the one stuck redoing the thing for another hour and a half for free. It is important to make sure that you are putting good staff in people’s mouths, because the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a redo. It does not make you look good, the patients get angry, insurance does not cover it and it is a waste of time. You want to do a good job which is satisfying to your mind and to your patients.

Dentists wish patients would value their teeth more. Teeth are a crucial part of health and appearance. Untreated gum disease, for instance, is linked to heart disease (would you choose a cardiologist based on price?) With time, you will get the best results and have the most long- term satisfaction of getting care from someone you trust.

Conclusion

The number of dental clinics is rising and so are the dental surgeons. So to choose a good family dentists/ dental clinic is a difficult job. Dental profession is a noble profession. Most of the dentists are highly qualified and are pioneers in their work; but like in every field there are a few of them who do not do justice to their work. So I hope after reading this article, you will be able to choose the best treatment available from the best dental surgeons in your town.

For more details & information on Root canal Treatment, Metal Crowns, Zirconia Crowns, you can contact

Dr.Kamini,
Jussmile Dental Clinic,
1333/A, Royal Castle Apartments,
7th cross st,2nd Main road,
Poompuhar Nagar, Kolathur,
Chennai-99.
9884336617 – 044 42802255
To book an online appointment-http://www.jussmile.com/appointment