"If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there!" So states the Cheshire Cat to a bewildered Alice in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland fairy tale story. In the real world there is an obvious element of truth to this thinking.
Unfortunately, it’s the same thinking that many people use when it comes to things that matter most - such as their health. Not having a plan for your dental health means you lose control of deciding your destination, and that you must accept the life-altering consequences of where your uncharted course ultimately takes you.
When it comes to your smile, knowing what you want and how to get there will determine your health and comfort in the short term and even if you’ll have teeth in the long term. More importantly, given what we know about the inflammation-related links between mouth health and heart health (along with a host of other medical diseases), having a good strategy for optimum oral health may very well determine if you live or die!
Fortunately, creating a plan is really quite simple. You can think of it as a blueprint which guides everyone to the final result.
Once your values and personal goals are defined and you’ve found the right dentist who can help you get there, your next step is to establish a treatment plan. A thorough examination will determine your true condition and help you develop your plan. Your plan is a road map that will guide you through treatment as well as guard your health and protect your smile through the years ahead.
This plan is your own Personalized Dental Health Plan. It is the shortest and surest route from your present dental condition to where your goals and dreams will take you – to lasting oral health, an attractive confident smile, and a durable functional bite.
Once exams are completed, records are analyzed and a plan is mutually agreed upon, it is easy to then work out details such as treatment time and costs.
While some dentists believe they know what’s best for you and may try to “sell you" on their recommendations, a truly accomplished and respectful dentist will not try to persuade you to choose their plan over yours.
Your dentist should provide you with treatment options to choose from, and will describe the pros & cons and the risks & benefits of each option.
Your dentist should provide you with treatment options to choose from, and will describe the pros & cons and the risks & benefits of each option. It is important that you understand the negative or “deleterious" consequences of doing nothing (which is also an option). While they would obviously hope that you chose health over disease, and attractive over unattractive, they should nonetheless respect your values and honor your decisions - even if it means not doing the treatment or referring you to another dental office for care other than what they might want to do.
In short, respectful dentists will respect your right to choose what’s right for you – as long as they believe you understand the consequences of your choices. After all, it’s your mouth, your smile, and your health. You are the one that will live with the decisions you make (or don’t make) and the quality of life that results. That’s what makes it Your Plan!
When all is said and done, your personalized dental evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan is truly your roadmap to accomplishing your goals!
To help you better understand how this process works, the following list outlines the basic things which will be reviewed and assessed during your dental examination appointment. After a review and clear understanding of your oral health and cosmetic smile goals, here is what you can expect in your first one or two visits during the dental evaluation process:
