What to Consider When Choosing a Dentist Office Near Me Posted: June 30, 2022 @ 9:11 am

People may look for a dentist office near me and never stop to think about the services provided by the practice. They know the dentist fills cavities and cleans their teeth, but their knowledge may stop there. Dentists do much more than this, however, and have been treating people for many years. What should a person know about the field of dentistry?

What Do Dentists Focus On?

Dentists work to prevent and treat oral disease. This includes diseases that impact the teeth as well as the supporting structures. They also examine the mouth for evidence of any diseases that affect the soft tissues of the oral cavity. A dentist may treat and correct any teeth that are misaligned or jaws that are malformed. A pediatric dentist also diagnoses and treats birth anomalies. However, a general dentist may choose to refer a patient to a specialist, such as an orthodontist, a periodontist, or an endodontist, depending on the issue and its severity. However, this wasn't always the case.

Early Dentistry

An Idaho Falls dentist has access to the latest tools and information when treating a patient. In the early days, dentists didn't have this luxury. In ancient times, they would drill a hole to drain an abscess or use animal teeth to replace missing teeth. Cord would be used to bind the replacement tooth to the other teeth. It wasn't until the Etruscans that restorative dentistry would be attempted through the use of partial dentures and dental bridges. The Chinese used silver amalgam to fill teeth while Arabs would scale and clean the teeth.

Moving Forward

Barbers served as makeshift dentists in France and other parts of Europe around 1163 and eventually moved strictly into surgery. It wasn't until 1728, however, that the field of dentistry was formalized. Early Americans followed similar practices and quickly took over in terms of leading advances in the field. Dentists in Europe also continued to advance the field, and those advances continue today. For example, a person may now choose dental implants over a bridge or dentures. Laser dentistry is another option for many individuals.

When you need the best dentist Idaho Falls, consider the above information. Do they use the latest technology? Which family members will they treat? What services do they offer? These are only a few of many questions a person should ask when making this choice. Oral health plays a role in overall health, so don't make this choice lightly. Research different options to find the right practice for your needs.