Items to consider when selecting a Westerville dentist that is best suited to meet your family’s dental needs:

Generally the best place to start your dental search is with either a general or family dentist.  A Westerville general dentist is licensed to diagnose dental issues and oral conditions, develop treatment plans and provide the treatment.  When desired your Westerville general or family dentist may refer you to a more specialized dental practitioner such as a Westerville Cosmetic Dentist.  Qualified Westerville dentists are designated as either DMD (Doctore of Dental Medicine) or DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery).

Westerville Dentists generally provide treatment with help from dental hygienists and dental assistants.  A Westerville dental hygienists performs professional dental cleanings.  The hygienist’s designation may be RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist), or RDHEF (Registered Dental Hygienist with Extended Functions).

A Westerville Dental assistant may assist a Westerville Dentist during a procedure, set up anesthesia, expose and develop radiographs or perform other general tasks.  In accordance with the U.S. law, dental hygienists and dental assistance must work under the supervision of a dentist.

Factors to Consider When Choosing your Westerville Dentist

When selecting a Westerville dentist and corresponding Westerville dental practice based on a need for Westerville cosmetic dentistry procedures (teeth whitening, porcelain veneers) or restorative procedures (dental fillings, dental crowns), it is imperative to look into the following:

• How long the practice has been in operation.
• The extent of the Westerville Cosmetic dentist’s training and clinical experience in performing the specific procedure you may be in need of.  Not all Westerville dentists are trained in specific cosmetic dentistry procedures.
• Keep account of the variations of your desired procedure. Porcelain veneers, for example, may serve both an esthetic and functional need. A procedure that satisfies both needs might be the best option when compared with a standard functional restoration offering no esthetic benefit, but you will need to investigate which Westerville dentists have the training and experience to perform the procedure that best meets your needs.
• Before committing yourself to a Westerville dentist, identify all options that would solve your Westerville cosmetic dental needs.
• For Westerville dentists that do not perform certain procedures, ask about their referral set up.
• Ask about the type of emergency care offered.  Is the Westerville dentist available after hours and on weekends?
• What are the amenities? such as music or heating pads.
• Ask about the types of professional dental societies the dentist participates in. Some societies require dentists to take continuing education classes to keep them up-to-date on the latest procedures and technological advances in the field.
• What kind of patient comforts are offered, such as pre-medication, nitrous oxide, etc.
• If your needs include Westerville cosmetic dentistry procedures, ask to see the dentist’s previous patients before-and-after photos. Bring a picture of the result you would like to see or a picture of you before the need for cosmetic dentistry to help set a reasonable expectation for your procedure’s outcome.
• Is the Westerville dental team friendly and courteous? You may not want to see a Westerville dentist long term if you don’t feel comfortable with the Westerville dentist’s team.
• Is the Westerville dentist office located nearby?