When it comes to making decisions about the health of your mouth, what information should you consider?
Thanks to Google, many people today are far more informed about their choices than ever before. This makes discussions with your health professional an important part of your treatment, as we want to address any issues or concerns about health choices prior to any treatment being done.
After having an oral exam you should expect to be informed of the choices of treatment required.
In some cases there could be multiple ways of addressing the issue. Do you try to save a tooth with a filling, a root canal, or a crown? Or is extracting the tooth the way to proceed? And if you have it pulled, then what? An implant? A partial denture or bridge? Or what happens if you just leave it open? Lastly, can no treatment be an option for a tooth? The answer is always YES. The choice is always yours. You should expect to hear information on the following when presented with your options:
• What is the optimal solution (if time, money, anxiety/fear are not concerns)? Why is it optimal?
• What are other possible solutions? What, if any, is the downside to this option?
• What happens if you choose to do nothing about it?
• What are the time commitments with each of the options? How many appointments will be needed?
• What are the costs involved with each solution? Are the costs broken down over a series of appointments or is it all due at once? What can I expect from insurance claims?
• What, if any, are the risks involved with any treatment?
Other than hearing the opinion of your dentist or hygienist, you may wish to do some research on your own as well. Trusted sites for dental information include:
The College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association
Canadian Dental Association
WebMd
Government of Canada, Oral Health
When faced with a large treatment plan, take some time to consider your options.
Write down any questions you may have, do some reading on the options, and ask to sit down with the office treatment coordinator or your dentist, to discuss anything further. You need to feel confident, safe, and informed about your oral health and the treatment you are proceeding with. Only you can know what is best for you and your life when all things are taken into consideration; your oral health, financial situation, time commitments, and your level of anxiety or fear around dental treatment.
