Being a family dentist is much more than just being able to provide dental care for kids and adults, it is also an indication of the commitment to mastering the ability to create healthy smiles and provide patients with the best care possible. A family dentist is a title that is given to those who have dedicated their lives to nurturing healthy smiles through every stage of their development, just like our very own Dr. Saini here at Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry. To help you understand what makes a family dentist stand above your average dentist, we’ve put together this helpful guide to highlight what truly makes a family dentist.
General dentists are doctors who are trained to provide treatment for most common dental problems, from your standard teeth cleanings and dental fillings to more complicated procedures such as root canals or creating crowns and bridges. General dentists also may choose to specialize in various areas of dental care by receiving more education and training in that specific field. For example, a general dentist can be a specialist in cosmetic dentistry, meaning they are experts in providing treatments like dental veneers, crowns, and dental implants. General dentists can require multiple specialties and still be considered a “general dentist”.
Family dentists are the same as general dentists in practically every aspect except for one; a family dentist must have a specialization in pediatric dentistry. Pediatric dentistry is the field of dentistry that focuses on the treatment of kids, from infancy to their adolescent and teenage years. This specialty is what allows family dentists to say that they offer dental care for the whole family and patients of all ages. Family dentists commonly hold many other specialties as well, with our own Dr. Saini being a specialist in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, in addition to her pediatric specialty.
When it comes to your smile, practically its entire development occurs between the moment that you’re born to the very end of your time as a teenager. During that time, you get your baby teeth, which are then replaced by your permanent teeth, all the while being at risk for developing oral health issues. With an environment that’s constantly changing and growing, there’s a lot more factors that a pediatric dentist needs to consider when managing a patient’s oral health. Being a family dentist and having that specialty in pediatric dentistry enables them to identify every problem that may develop during a child’s oral development and provide the most effective treatment. General dentist training and education, or any other dental specialty for that matter, won’t prepare you with the tools you need to manage a child’s oral health as they grow up.
While most general dentists are equipped with the training and technology to provide you with a healthy smile, a family dentist is simply better if you’re looking for a dentist for your whole family, not just yourself. If you have kids or are planning on having kids, having a dentist that can treat both you and your kids all under one roof just simplifies things. If you already trust the doctor and the staff with your own care, you don’t need to worry about going out and finding a new dentist just so your kids can have healthy smiles, and instead just bringing them to where you already go. In the case that you and your kids already go to separate dentists, you can consider switching over to a family dentist if you would like the process of dental care for your family to be more convenient.
Not only are we a family dental practice here at Mapleridge Children & Adult Dentistry, our staff and all of our patients are also one big family with bright, healthy smiles! If you’re ready for you and your family to get the reliable, professional dental care that you deserve, contact us to schedule an appointment and visit our family dentistry Liverpool, NY office. If you have any questions about the dental treatment that we offer or about what makes family dentistry different, just reach out to us and we will be happy to provide you with all the information you need!
If you have questions regarding the recipes above, or to learn more about healthy foods to eat that won’t cause damage to your teeth, contact us today, and our friendly team will be happy to help. To schedule an appointment for you or your child, give us a call. Have a happy summer!