Q: I had a bunch of dental work this year, but I want to find an office closer to my home “just for cleanings”; my doctor was adamant that I return to his practice for checkups and cleanings. Why should I?
A: It is very important to maintain continuity with the practice who did major dental work on you; veneers, multiple crowns, implant surgery and restorations, surgical periodontal treatment and full mouth reconstructions.
Think of all the heart surgery patients who fly back to their original surgeon’s practice once or twice per year for a follow up visit.
Why is this important for my practice and ALL dental practices:
- Your doctor who did the treatment gets to evaluate your work.
- He/she knows your mouth
- They have the correct shade guide to match colors of porcelain work
- The hygienist has special instruments and techniques to clean implants and veneers without scratching the surface and causing gray scratch marks and food sticking surfaces on the implant crowns.
- Each hygienist had their own pressure/touch when probing your pockets and taking measurement of bone loss and gum recession. Keep with the same hygienist at all possible.
- Many offices will re-do work for only nominal lab charges if something broke in less than 2 years vs. having to pay the full fee at another office.