If you have a growing family, you may be wondering if you need to consider a pediatric dental specialist for your child. The good news is that your family dentist is more than capable of providing the necessary care for your child. They’ve been trained in addressing every area of your child’s oral health as they age. However, there may be times when a pediatric specialist may be beneficial. We’re going to present the difference between a family and a pediatric dentist to help you make an informed decision. Once we’re through, you’ll be able to determine what kind of dentist best suits your need. We’ll also touch on the benefits of staying with your current dentist.
Is A Pediatric Dentist Necessary For My Child?
When considering finding a new dental provider, the essential question is if it’s truly necessary. If your present dentist is able to communicate well with your family and you’ve had good experiences with them, it’s unlikely. Specialists like pediatric dentists focus their practice on managing complex health concerns that can occur during the developmental stages. If your child has no remarkable oral health concerns, a pediatric dentist isn’t likely to be necessary.
Consider endodontists and orthodontists, for instance. These specialty practices generally have their own offices so they can focus on the area of dental medicine they know best. While both are qualified to deliver standard dental care, they know they serve their patients better by sticking to these concerns. Cosmetic dentists are a recent example of specialists that are seeing a renaissance. The increasing demand for, and variety of, cosmetic dental procedures makes it sustainable to have their own practice. However, like the first two specialists, they are qualified to deliver standard care.
Like all specialists, pediatric dentists focus on a specific area of dentistry. In their case, it’s the early developmental stages of oral health. When a complex oral health issue is present in children, then a pediatric dentist may be necessary. They’ll be best suited to address the special concerns that face patients that are still growing.
So where do family dentists come into all this? Family dentists are a type of general dentist that focuses on the full spectrum of patient growth. They’re able to handle most concerns experienced by individuals from birth to their golden years. They’ll be able to be there at every stage of your family’s life, and know when it’s necessary to refer you out to a specialist.
Contact Your Family Dentist Today
When considering switching dentists it pays to consult with your present one first. They have a vested interest in the ongoing health of your family. They’ll be able to advise you about the necessity of your transition to the new practice and how it may benefit or hamper you. Remember, pediatric dentists only see patients until they reach their 18th year. This means that you’re guaranteed to have to find another dentist at some point in your child’s future. Contact your family dentist for their guidance today!