The Importance of Comprehensive Dentistry
Your oral health includes more than the strength of your teeth. You need a dentist who looks at the entire picture when assessing and treating you. Comprehensive dentistry optimizes your total oral care.
Comprehensive dentists look at everything concerning the health of your mouth, oral tissues, teeth, and gums when evaluating you. Some even address issues beyond the oral cavity, such as morning headaches or daytime sleepiness. These professionals will recommend treatments to address your concerns and get you a smile that is aesthetically pleasing and healthy.
Basic dentistry uses preventative methods to keep your teeth and mouth healthy. All dentists perform routine cleanings, take x-rays, and do exams. Comprehensive dentists, though, have at their disposal advanced dental treatment options beyond standard care. This extended range of services includes:
Wilmington Family Dental services includes all of the above plus our standard preventative care for an unparalleled suite of dental services.
Gum health contributes to oral health. The American Dental Association notes that among adults 30 or older who still have their teeth, 42% have periodontitis, which can worsen to cause tooth loss. In fact, those diagnosed with periodontitis have a higher chance of developing tooth loss without interventional gum treatment. Additionally, gum disease has been linked to diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.
Periodontal treatment from a comprehensive dentist corrects gum problems and prevents the potential tooth loss and ill health that may come with advanced gum disease.
What your teeth do during the night can make the difference in whether you sleep well. Teeth held too closely together or that grind could cause problems in the morning. If you wake up unrefreshed after a full night's sleep or have morning headaches or jaw pain, your symptoms could come from sleep apnea or teeth grinding. A comprehensive dentist may be able to help with sleep apnea treatment or a customized night guard.
Few people look closely at their oral cavities, which is why dentists could be the first people to notice oral cancer symptoms. The earlier a dentist identifies oral cancer, the greater the chances of surviving it are. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research shows more than double the 5-year survival rate for people who have their cancer identified in the earliest stages when it is still localized (86.3%) compared to those whose cancer has spread to distant regions (40.4%).
Teenagers and adults with dental alignment issues may not need to visit a separate orthodontist if they have a comprehensive dentist offering them care. Dr. Zak Hallock with Wilmington Family Dental completed the Academy of GP Orthodontics residency, giving him the skills few other general dentists have to provide orthodontic care to his patients.
Dental surgery options include implants to replace single teeth or full mouth restorations as a stable, implant-supported alternative to traditional dentures. These surgeries restore your smile even if you've lost one or more teeth.
Comprehensive dental care offers you several advantages over basic teeth cleaning.
Comprehensive dental care gives you the convenience of having specialist care in the same office you visit for regular cleanings. Why drive around town trying to find a specialist who can give you the dental care you need? Instead, choose a dentist who will offer you everything from one location.
When dentists offer comprehensive care, they can provide you with specialist-caliber services in their office. When the dentist offering you specialist services is the same as your general dentist, you have the best continuum of care possible.
For instance, if you need orthodontics or sleep apnea treatment, Dr. Hallock at Wilmington Family Dental, can diagnose you and provide the care you need. You won't need to set an appointment with a dental specialist to receive these services or worry about your records reaching another dental office.
Dentists who offer comprehensive care make going to the dentist even more comfortable. You know that no matter what type of treatment you need, you will have the same trustworthy staff you see for your regular cleanings and checkups.
Dentists with comprehensive services, such as Dr. Hallock, look after your overall wellbeing, even your sleep. For example, the Wilmington Family Dental services include solutions for sleep apnea or nighttime teeth grinding that could cause jaw pain or sleeplessness.
Get convenient, expert, and advanced dental treatment near you. Schedule a visit with us at Wilmington Family Dental to discover the difference that comprehensive dentistry can make for your smile and your total oral health.
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