Hello, this is Dr. Perry at Farmington Family Dental. I wanted to let you know what to expect during your visit to our office. Your next dental visit will involve a couple of things, and I thought you might want to know about them.
Why is taking care of my teeth and mouth so important?
Taking care of your teeth and mouth is really important because it's not just about your teeth and mouth. A smile and the psychological effect it has on people—the ability to smile, the ability to go out and enjoy things—is a big deal. But I'm going to set that aside for a moment.
The second reason I have people take care of their mouths and teeth is that they live longer. I just saw somebody last week who came in missing a few teeth here and a few teeth there. Studies show that a person missing teeth like that, or who is losing their teeth, has a shorter lifespan. On average, that kind of person will live 10 years shorter than a person who has their full set of teeth and can chew and eat what they need. What it comes down to is what you eat. The easiest-to-eat things generally are not good for us. They're high in carbohydrates and are processed foods. It's just not good for you. "Raw" foods require a little more chewing. Carrots, vegetables, and unprocessed foods require teeth to eat. And if you can't eat them, you can't eat them. If you're at the age where your doctor is starting to tell you to eat more of this and less of that, and you can't do it, that's why teeth matter so much. It's to preserve your lifespan and your quality of life more than anything else.
What is a normal dental checkup?
A normal dental checkup, sometimes called a prophylaxis, aims to prevent any problems. Our goal is to clean your teeth and monitor anything happening inside your mouth that may need intervention now in the form of preventative work.
Preventative work could be done at home or in my office, depending on the specific need. Alternatively, if there is an active problem, it needs to be treated to restore health, improve your ability to function and reduce your risk of losing teeth in the future. All of that happens during a routine exam. We also check for oral cancer. I want to ensure you are healthy and leave our office in the best shape you can be in.
What are the different classifications of dental services?
There are three main classifications of dental services. When I think about dental services, I think about preventative work.
Preventative things just prevent disease, and that's the best place to be. By the way, spending all our money on preventative care is wise. What do they say? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That applies here. Prevention or preventative care is one of the categories.
The next category is aesthetic. It's a treatment, but not necessarily for a disease. It's the treatment of appearance, making things look better. Sometimes there's a functional component, too. When you think about braces and aligning/straightening teeth, well-aligned teeth last longer, but it's also cosmetic. Sometimes, things blur those lines.
Then there's run-of-the-mill treatment where we address an active, functional problem. We're either removing pathology or disease, or replacing a tooth, restoring you to your ideal state. Those are the three categories of treatment that we have here.
What are routine dental treatments?
When I think of routine treatments, I think of the most common procedures we perform: fillings, crowns, root canals, braces, implants, or bone grafting—things that happen regularly in my office.
What are cosmetic dental services?
Dental services are considered cosmetic. If you think of cosmetology, it's the art or science of making something beautiful or optimizing its appearance. Cosmetic treatment is just changing appearance. Cosmetic services could include crowns, veneers, or bridges. It could be all sorts of different types of treatment.
What defines a cosmetic treatment? Is the objective to restore function or to restore the look? If there's any attempt to restore the look, that is a cosmetic treatment at its core. This topic of what constitutes cosmetics gets a little tricky when you consider what insurance does and doesn't cover. Typically, insurance companies look at cosmetic treatment and say, "We'll pay for the functional aspects, but not the cosmetic ones." It gets a little hairy there sometimes, and we end up bending the lines to get insurance to do what they should be doing: taking care of your oral health.
What are restorative dental procedures?
Restorative dental procedures. The word restoration, when you think about restoring a house, is moving it from its current state to an optimal state. Sometimes there's flood restoration. In fact, there's some rain outside. We're getting a thunderstorm. There'll probably be a few floods. Restoration is draining all the water, clearing out any mold that's grown, cleaning it up, and then fixing it back up to its ideal situation. In the mouth, it's no different. It's restoring something back to what it once was.
When I think of restorative dentistry, I typically think of fillings, but it could encompass more.
How will my dentist ensure that I do not experience pain during a dental treatment?
Gosh. When we talk about treatment, one of the first things people ask me is, "Is this going to hurt?" Now, aside from the joke I have about it (and if you come here, I have a joke about that one), how do we make sure it doesn't hurt?
Dental anesthetic was invented sometime between the 1940s and 1960s. Most people think of Novocaine when they think of anesthetic. There are better anesthetics than Novocaine now. We've developed and iterated different chemicals for local anesthetics to ensure you are comfortable and feel no pain. It's been a remarkable journey for dentistry.
If you're old enough to remember back in the 50s or 60s, some of those old-style dentists would tell a kid, "You're not feeling it. Just be quiet. You'll be fine, and we'll do this without anesthetic." That kind of brings a bitter taste to your mouth. In today's day and age, we don't do things like that. We want to make sure you're completely numb. I don't want you feeling anything uncomfortable. I don't want you feeling anything I'm doing. I will get you thoroughly numb with local anesthetic, making the dental work as comfortable as possible.
What options are available to ensure that I can afford dental services?
Affordability in dentistry is a hot topic right now. How do you afford it when you come to the dentist? Everyone knows dentists are expensive. If you don't have insurance, that can also be hard. How do you pay for something when you need a procedure? I see three or four main ways people get dentistry done.
One of the most common options in my office is setting up financing instead of requiring payment upfront for services. Instead, we set up a monthly payment arrangement. That monthly arrangement is like a home or car loan; it's structured over a month or longer period to give you a break. CareCredit is one platform we use to spread out those payments, but we use others as well to help you afford the dentistry you need.
What is the best way to schedule a dental appointment?
Oh, shoot. What's the best way to schedule? Come on in. Give us a call at 573-756-5760, and you'll be routed to one of our gals who answers phones for us. She'll do a great job talking with you and see what you need and get you lined up with an appropriate appointment to see me. Your first visit will be to see us, see our office, meet me, and discuss what you're looking for from dentistry. As we get into that appointment, you'll see that we'll take a comprehensive approach. We'll look at everything going on. We'll see everything you're aware of, as well as perhaps some things you aren't aware of. We'll create a plan to fix it in the best way possible and arrange the numbers and payment. There's no uncertainty. We've got everything arranged, and then we'll get you scheduled and taken care of.
I hope hearing about what to expect in our office or other dental offices has been helpful. We would be happy to help you here at Farmington Family Dental. Again, I'm Dr. Perry. Our phone number is (573) 637-4404. You can call us any day of the week that we're open. We are typically open Monday through Thursday. We'll schedule an appointment and take care of you. Everyone deserves a smile that they like. Come see us, we can help.
Farmington Family Dental, your trusted dentist in Farmington, is committed to ensuring you achieve the smile of your dreams. We understand the significance of exuding confidence through your radiant smile, and we proudly stand by our Joyful Smile Guarantee. Our comprehensive suite of top-tier services includes cleanings, restorative procedures, orthodontics, and more. Coupled with our personalized attention and compassionate care, we strive to make your journey comfortable and stress-free. Get ready to proudly showcase your stunning teeth with Farmington Family Dental – because a beaming smile is always in vogue!
Welcome to an exceptional dental journey in Cosmetic and Family Dentistry at Farmington Family Dental. Nestled in the picturesque Farmington region, our practice was founded with your well-being and comfort as the forefront. At Farmington Family Dental, we’ve elevated comfort and relaxation to new heights. The moment you step into our office, you’ll experience the palpable difference in care and ambiance.
Our Services
At Farmington Family Dental, we believe that a healthy smile is a beautiful smile. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of services to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape.
Routine Check-ups and Cleanings
Maintain your oral health with regular examinations and thorough cleanings to prevent issues and keep your smile bright.
Teeth Whitening
Brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening treatments that remove stains and discoloration.
Dental Implants
Replace missing teeth with durable and natural-looking dental implants, restoring both function and aesthetics.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Enhance your smile’s appearance through various cosmetic procedures like veneers, bonding, and smile makeovers.
Restorative Dentistry
Repair damaged or decayed teeth with restorative treatments like fillings, crowns, and bridges for a healthier smile.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Strengthen weak or damaged teeth with dental crowns, or replace missing teeth with fixed dental bridges.
Veneers
Transform the look of your teeth with thin porcelain veneers that cover imperfections and provide a flawless smile.
Orthodontics
Achieve a straighter smile and improved bite alignment with orthodontic treatments like braces and aligners.
Fillings
Treat cavities and restore tooth integrity with dental fillings that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.
Root Canal Therapy
Save infected or damaged teeth with root canal treatments that alleviate pain and preserve your natural smile.
Gum Disease Treatment
Address gum issues and prevent further damage with comprehensive gum disease treatments and therapies.
Dentures
Restore your smile’s function and aesthetics with partial or full dentures tailored to your specific needs.
Pediatric Dentistry
Ensure your child’s oral health from an early age with specialized dental care and education for young patients.
Emergency Dental Care
Receive prompt attention and relief for dental emergencies like toothaches, injuries, or infections.
Fastbraces
Facebraces is an innovative orthodontic treatment designed to straighten teeth in a shorter time frame compared to traditional braces, utilizing a unique triangular bracket and a specially shaped wire for efficient and effective alignment.
Sedation Dentistry
Ease anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures with sedation options that ensure a relaxed experience.
Nurturing Dental Partnerships
At Farmington Family Dental, we believe that dental care is a partnership between the patient and the dentist in Farmington. We take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and involve you in the decision-making process. We believe that informed patients are empowered to make the best choices for their oral health, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Crafting Personalized Smiles
We understand that each patient is unique, and that’s why, as your trusted dentist in Farmington, we tailor our treatments to your individual needs and preferences. Your smile is as distinct as you are, and we’re here to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that reflects your personality and enhances your overall well-being.
Are you ready to experience the Farmington Family Dental difference? We invite you to schedule an appointment and join our growing family of satisfied patients. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll be greeted with a warm smile and a commitment to exceptional care by a dentist in Farmington.
Thank you for considering Farmington Family Dental as your dental home. We look forward to serving you and helping you achieve the smile you deserve – one that’s healthy, beautiful, and uniquely yours.