Choosing a dentist is something that needs to be done with care. A lot of things matter when finding the right clinic or practice and here are a few factors to consider when looking for the best Springfield dental clinic.

Training and experience

The first and foremost on the list is the training. Your dentist should be well qualified for the job and certifications to back up the same. What matters also is the clinical experience that he/she has had. Typically, longer the dentists have been in practice, the more well-equipped he/she is to treat you. However, this doesn’t mean newbies can’t help. They could also be well equipped in the latest technologies and medical approaches to treatment. So, look for a balance between the two.

Membership and credentials

Always choose a clinic with board-certified practitioners. This helps to ensure that the doctor has is certified to provide treatment and care in his chosen field. Also, do research online to see if the clinic has a history of malpractice or disciplinary action against them. You will want to avoid being treated by such dentists at all costs. Besides certification, see if the dentist is a member of a dental association of the city or state. This adds to the credibility and trustworthiness.

Reputation

Having a good name among the dental and patient community in Springfield is yet another feature of a professional dental clinic. To see how the practice fares on this aspect, check the clinic’s website for testimonials from past patients or case studies on the various kinds of treatments provided. For more honest feedback, search for patient reviews online. Google business listings and those on other directory pages can give you a clear picture of what the patients feel about the dentist and the practice. You could also find out more in this regard from healthcare aggregator apps and the like. Remember to go through positive and negative reviews to learn about the doctor’s proficiency, the attitude, shortcomings, etc., so that you have a clear idea about the kind of person(s) who will be treating you. Look also for the feedback on the clinic settings, hygiene, staff attitude, and waiting time as all of these have a direct impact on how comfortable or uncomfortable you feel at the dentists.

Treatments offered

Dentistry is a vast practice that includes many specializations such as endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, dental surgery and so on. When choosing a clinic, look for one that offers treatment across multiple disciplines that just in general dentistry. It helps to have a doctor who can perform multiple specialized procedures. However, since most dentists have one core focus areas, you could opt for a clinic with a team of specialists who can treat you when the need arises. This helps save on the time and effort otherwise needed with referrals.

Emergency care

Dental emergencies may occur rarely, but in such cases, it helps to have a clinic that addresses them promptly. Such emergencies may be from a chipped or broken tooth, a serious infection, bleeding and excessive pain, complications arising from orthodontic treatment, an allergic reaction to medicines, and so on. Look for a practice in Springfield that offers emergency care so that you won’t have to go through the trouble of being referred to a hospital room and being treated by someone you barely know.

Cost and insurance

Dental treatments are expensive, and it becomes important that any clinic you choose be willing to accept insurance or be listed on a network or panel of clinics of insurers. Also make sure that they accept multiple payment options such as cash, credit cards, checks. Ask for typical costs of different kinds of treatment to see how they compare against other clinics in the city. Some treatments may not be covered under insurance and in such cases, you would incur an out of the pocket expense. In such cases, see if the clinic is willing to accept payment plans or those from networks. This helps ease the burden that comes with expensive treatments. Review your prospective dental clinic in Springfield against each of these aspects of the practice to see how well it fits your needs.

Teeth loss can occur due to many reasons. Some of these include tooth decay, gum disease, accidents, congenital conditions, wear and tear from aging, and so on. Having one or more teeth missing from the mouth can be embarrassing, to say the least. Not only does it affect your smile and confidence but also interferes with biting, chewing, and speaking abilities. This is because when a tooth falls out, the jawbone underneath starts shrinking and turning brittle, owing to lack of stimulation from healthy tooth. Simultaneously, adjacent teeth move and tilt towards this space, leading to a change in bite and overall alignment of teeth. With time, these result in changes in appearance, making your face seem collapsed from lack of support. These changes affect your eating habits and smile, while also making you unhappy and self-conscious. Thankfully, there exist different fixes that help fix missing teeth. For people in Springfield, here is a look at three common Springfield dental solutions.

Bridges

Bridges are the most basic and long-standing solution to missing teeth. They are used to fill in gaps created by one or more missing teeth, given that the number of teeth present in the mouth is greater than those missing. Bridges can be made from metal, ceramic, or a combination of the two. The solution is employed when there are teeth present on either side of the missing tooth/teeth. This fixed device consists of one or more artificial teeth suspended on crowns attached to adjacent teeth. Bridges are fixed devices that can restore the bite and normal function of the missing teeth. Since they file down and replace healthy adjacent teeth with crowns, ill-fitted bridges can result in cavities or decay. They also cannot be used if the supporting teeth are not healthy or cannot be fitted with crowns. Bridges lats long with proper maintenance and upkeep but may not work well on the lower jaw, which flexes much. However, the upside is that they are less expensive than implants and do not require surgery to be performed.

Dentures

Dentures can be used to replace a single missing tooth or many of them, including all teeth in the mouth. They are of two kinds – partial and full. A partial denture is used only when some of the teeth are missing. It consists of replacement teeth (look-alikes) attached to a plastic plate or base in the same color as your gums. Partial dentures often come with metal framework and clasps that attach to the remaining teeth in the mouth for stability and proper positioning. The advantage with these devices is that there is no need to file down any teeth for use. Plus, they are economical.  The downside is that the metal may be visible when speaking or eating. A full denture is used when all teeth are missing or have been removed, as typically seen with old age. The device, like the partial denture, consists of teeth look-alikes attached to a gum-colored base plate. However, the plate rests on the bony ridge of the jaws. Partial and full dentures are typically removable. Springfield doctors recommend wearing them during the day and keeping them dipped in water or cleaning solutions during the night. Newer dentures are designed to sit on implants to give them more stability and functionality.

Dental implants Dental implants are the newest and currently one of the most sought after solutions to replace missing tooth/teeth. Their biggest advantage is that implants look and feel like real teeth when biting, chewing, brushing, or smiling. In this solution, the implant replaces the root of the missing tooth, healing in the bone for many months. After this, an abutment is placed over it, which is then cemented with a crown. Implants are beneficial because they do not disturb or alter the adjacent teeth when fixed. They are strong and help stop bone loss from lack of function. They also preserve healthy teeth and help to restore a natural-looking smile. Dental implants are a commonly used solution Springfield to replace a single missing tooth, but they can also be employed to cover up for many missing teeth, including the entire mouth. They can also be used in along with regenerative techniques like bone grafting for better, long-lasting results.