Was there a time (perhaps recently) when you thought dental care was just one single type of care? Were you a bit blown away to discover that within a single dental practice there are focused areas of dentistry that deal with the many aspects of keeping your smile and its surrounding structures in optimal health? If so, you may find yourself with something of a stockpile of questions regarding the differences (and potential similarities) between preventive and restorative dentistry. By learning a bit more, you will get the hang of these areas of dentistry in nothing flat.
Question: Don’t both preventive and restorative dentistry protect my smile?
Answer: In a sense, both areas of dental care protect your smile. Here’s how to look at it: Preventive care prevents problems. Restorative care restores your oral health after problems occur. They do both protect you in specific ways. Preventive treatments help you avoid the development of issues like tooth decay, so your teeth remain structurally sound and your mouth stays healthy. However, once a problem occurs (like a cavity) your mouth is not at rock bottom. Agreeing to a restorative treatment right away allows us to quickly fix the problem and bring you back to your original state of health, protecting you from further complications.
Question: What’s the point of preventive dentistry if restorative care can help me?
Answer: The issue here is the for the most part, it’s much easier to keep your teeth healthy (for a longer period of time) if you avoid disease and disorders. Prevention is easier, more cost-effective, and more comfortable.
Question: Can I still receive preventive dentistry treatments after receiving restorative treatments?
Answer: Of course. Everyone is always a good candidate for maintaining clean teeth and to receive exams that permit us to monitor oral health over time.
ABOUT YOUR LONGVIEW, TX, DENTISTS:
At DentaCare Dental in Longview, TX, we focus on advanced technology, education, and comfort to offer every patient a pleasant experience and excellent dental care. To schedule a consultation, call our Longview, TX, office today at (903) 758-5921. For optimal convenience, we also serve patients at our other location in Tyler, TX.