Recommended Criteria When Looking for a New Family Dentist

You don’t want to trust your family’s teeth to just anybody. Choosing a family dentist often involves spending a lot of time on Google or Yelp, reading through reviews, asking friends and family — and then moving to a town with better dentists.

Okay, maybe not that last one! You can find a great dentist near you by looking for the proper criteria.

Great Communication

A family dentist should communicate well. They don’t have to be Toastmasters, but they should be able to clearly explain procedures and processes in a suitable bedside manner.

Compassion and knowledge aren’t mutually exclusive. If a dentist uses a lot of technical jargon or makes you feel guilty for needing care, look elsewhere.

They Stay on Top of the Latest Tech

Oral hygiene has changed significantly, and your dentist should keep pace. Tools and techniques are constantly evolving. If your dentist isn’t familiar with the latest innovations that make dental care comfortable and pain-free, you may want to reschedule your root canal!

Check out reviews from past patients about the care they received and ensure it’s in line with current industry standards. There’s no reason to accept old methods that have been exchanged for better ones.

Solid Qualifications

Find out where the dentist graduated from and what certifications they have. Dentists specialize in different areas. Perhaps you and your family will need help from a dentist with a particular discipline.

What Services Do They Offer?

General dentistry might be all you need. But… what if you need teeth whitening? Or emergency dentistry? A solid family dentist should be able to provide adequate care for various needs. They should be able to work with patients of different ages, too.

If they can’t provide the services you desire, at the very least, they should be able to give you an effective referral for specialty services.

Can They Take Your Insurance?

Good dental insurance won’t mean much if your dentist doesn’t accept your coverage. Talk to your insurance provider or employer to determine which dental procedures are covered, and then find a family dentist who takes that insurance.

If you find a dentist you love and can’t bear the thought of going to anyone else, find out whether they take payment plans. Even if your current insurance provider doesn’t offer dental coverage for your favorite dentist, payment plans can help spread out your dental care costs.

Location, Location, Location

Choosing a family dentist sometimes comes down to, “Where do you live?” If you’re looking for the right Shelby Township dentist, talk to Dr. Timothy Roney, DDS & Associates!

We do more than general dentistry with services like cosmetic dentistry, emergency dentistry, Invisalign braces, and more. As for our communication and bedside manner? Just check out our testimonials to see what our clients say about us. Your family deserves the best — and that’s what we provide!

Understanding the Importance of Dental Cleanings & Exams

Clean teeth make for a pretty smile, but they’re not crucial for your overall health, right? Well, if you read the title of this article, you might suspect the truth — they are!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends visiting the dentist every six months for an exam and a cleaning. Why is this the case?

Bad Teeth Means Poor Health

To be clear, when we say “bad teeth,” we mean teeth that are unhealthy. Slightly crooked teeth aren’t necessarily harmful, but cavity-ridden teeth are.

Poor oral health can lead to a host of problems, such as:

• Cardiovascular Disease: Heart disease, strokes, and clogged arteries can be aggravated by the bacteria in your mouth.
• Respiratory Infections: Bacteria from swollen gums and teeth can enter the lungs and the bloodstream, leading to respiratory infections and pneumonia.
• Pregnancy Complications: Low birth weight and premature birth have been linked to periodontitis.
• Endocarditis: Germs from your mouth can spread through your bloodstream to the lining of your heart.

In addition, poor mouth hygiene can be aggravated by conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s.

I’m Convinced! What Exactly Are Dental Exams?

At a dental exam, your dentist or dental hygienist will examine your mouth for any signs of problems or abnormalities. This may involve X-rays to look under the surface for any issues with your roots or jaw.

Catching things like infections and cavities early keeps you from experiencing more severe complications down the road.

There are a few specific things that dentists may do during your exam:

• Assess your risk of tooth decay or disease
• Check your bite alignment
• Eliminate stains or other deposits
• Show you how to clean your teeth properly

Your dentist or hygienist may also ask questions about your tooth health, including your diet, medications, and overall health.

What Are Dental Cleanings?

During a dental cleaning, the dentist or hygienist will remove built-up plaque and tartar from your teeth and around your gum line. They’ll use a small mirror and tools to remove unwanted substances physically.

This process is followed by gritty toothpaste and an electric, high-powered brush. Usually, you can choose your flavor, too! The toothpaste is abrasive, so this brushing must happen only twice a year.

Then comes the flossing. This removes any deposits between the teeth that can lead to problems and any leftover plaque and toothpaste from the previous steps.

Finally, you can rinse.

Dental Cleanings and Exams at Your Friendly Shelby Township Dentist

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist for your cleaning, then it’s time to visit Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates. We make the cleaning process as quick and pleasant as possible.

Contact us immediately for a cleaning that will leave you with shiny, sparkling teeth and an exam to identify problems before they worsen!

Teeth are something rarely talked about when discussing the woes of growing older. As you age, you are at an increased risk of tooth loss, tooth decay, and gum disease due to receding gum lines and low saliva production.

 To top it off, your once pearly whites will probably begin to stain yellow. Pair that with all the other fun things that aging brings, and you can look much older than you are. Enter cosmetic dentistry.

Cosmetic dentistry is any dental work done to improve your smile’s appearance. You’ll leave the dentist’s chair feeling like a brand new person and enjoy the relief of not having to stress about your smile.

If that’s not enough, check out why cosmetic dentistry can help you restore your youth.

You’ll Look Younger

Missing, stained, and chipped teeth can be telltale signs of a person’s age. On the other hand, when your teeth are in excellent condition, you look and feel more youthful.

Cosmetic dentistry revitalizes your smile and livens up your face. It also doesn’t hurt that you’ll want to smile more when you know you have a beautiful smile, which has been proven to make people appear more attractive.

It Gives You a Confidence Boost

When you have a smile you’re not proud of. It can damper your mood. What’s the saying? When you look good, you feel good.

That couldn’t be true regarding restoring your smile with cosmetic dentistry. Having an exceptional smile is much like getting a permanent makeover.

You’ll feel great knowing you have a beautiful smile, naturally making you more confident, outgoing, and vibrant.

You’ll Have Stronger Teeth

Years of coffee, tea, sodas, and wine (wink) can contribute to enamel loss and weakened teeth. When this happens, your teeth become much more sensitive, eventually leading to cracks, chips, and tooth decay.

Cosmetic dentistry will strengthen your teeth and get you back to enjoying your favorite snacks and beverages without complications.

The Effects Are Long-Lasting

Whether you get teeth whitening or bonding treatments, the effects of cosmetic dentistry are long-lasting. Unlike other cosmetic services, you won’t have to return every few weeks to get touched up.

Instead, after leaving the dentist’s office, you’ll return to life as usual, just with a more radiant smile.

Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures

Cosmetic dentists provide several services to their clients that general dentists can not. General dentists are primarily concerned with preventing and treating oral diseases, while a cosmetic dentist will help you establish a more beautiful smile.

When you work with a dentist to restore your smile, you can choose from different services depending on your needs, like bonding, teeth whitening, and porcelain veneers.

Bonding

Bonding can fill cavities and repair cracks, chips, and gaps in your teeth. Your dentist will use composite resin, shape it over your teeth, and harden it to create seamless results.

This method gives you a beautiful smile and can be completed in one sitting. That means no scheduling of multiple appointments, no surgical procedures, and downtime.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening involves removing stains and discoloration from the teeth using chemical agents. You can whiten your teeth using at-home kits from your dentist or in-office. In-office treatments are much faster and more effective than at-home methods since the latter involves more potent chemicals.

You can choose to have this treatment done at your annual dental appointment or more frequently. You should consult your trusted dentist to advise you on the best options for your teeth.

Veneers

Porcelain veneers fit over your natural teeth to give you a flawless smile. This method will transform your smile whether you have cracked, damaged, or stained teeth. Veneers are custom-fit to your teeth, so you won’t have to worry about them being detected. When done correctly, they will feel completely natural in your mouth, so it’s like they’re not even there.

If you’re ready to take your life back and restore your youthfulness with cosmetic dentistry, you need a licensed cosmetic dentist in Shelby Township, MI, that you can trust.

Let our Dr. Timothy Roney DDS & Associates team help you achieve a smile you can be proud of. Book an appointment today!