Knowledge is power.
Believing that implies that you appreciate being well-informed. Let’s apply that to your dental care and the knowledge to distinguish between routine dental treatment, restorative dental treatment, and whether you need a second opinion.
Maybe you’ve been faced with deciphering your dental insurance provisions. Or perhaps you’ve wondered why your dentist is recommending a follow-up appointment after your teeth cleaning.
These scenarios confirm the knowledge-is-power idea.
For starters, most dental insurance providers classify dental treatment into three categories:
Each have a particular coverage allowance. So, it makes sense to know what each covers and the differences between them.
Preventive dental care
These services would fall under the routine dental treatment category. Preventive dentistry typically involves procedures that:
Standard preventive services include:
Basic dental care
Restorative dentistry is an appropriate term for this phase of dental services. Basic dental services focus on restorative care that corrects diagnosed tooth damage before it worsens.
Common basic dental care could include:
Major dental care
There are occasions when your dental treatment can be more complex. Major dentistry services often involve:
The category of major dental services includes:
Whatever category your current dental condition falls within, knowledge and expertise is on your side. That also applies to a second opinion about dental treatment.
Aside from preventive dental care, you could have more than one solution to your dental issue. This can give you more confidence going into a dental consultation and/or making a treatment decision.
It’s a good idea to explore the “why” of a particular treatment in addition to the “what” details. Lack of clarity could lead to lack of assurance around your diagnosis.
That combined with constraints involving your personal time, financial resources, or emotions makes open communication all the more valuable.
Dental professionals make their decisions based on training/expertise, diagnostic evidence, patient goals, etc. The ultimate goal is your best oral health.
Common areas of disagreement among dentists includes:
Conflicting opinions can leave you wondering about what’s the best solution for your current dental condition. It’s your prerogative to acquire knowledge, communicate, and (if necessary) consult with more than one dentist.
Keep in mind that you have a convenient and potentially cost-effective second opinion option. A licensed, online dentist gives you the opportunity to:
Check out these resources about virtual dental care and second opinions about a dental diagnosis:
4 Reasons to Choose a Virtual Dental Appointment
Do You Need a Second Opinion About a Tooth Cavity?
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