Whether you’re moving to Mesquite, or just want to find a new dentist, these tips can help make the process of finding a good dentist less difficult.

If you are moving to Mesquite, check with your current dentist to see if he/she can give you a referral for a dentist in the area.

If you are looking for a new dentist in Mesquite, good sources to ask for referrals are:

• Family members
• Friends
• Co-workers
• Church or congregation members
• Neighbors

You can also check online dentist directories to find out information, addresses and phone numbers of dentists in Mesquite.

Be sure to make a list of questions to ask a potential new dentist that are important to you.

Some important factors to consider when looking for a new dentist might be:

• The location of the dentist
• Availability of appointment times and office hours
• After hours emergency care
• Is the dentist a member of a state or national dentist society like the American Dental Association or the National Dental Association?
• Is the dentist licensed?

Take your time and write down what is important to you. You also might have to visit several dentists before you find one that you are comfortable with, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Recognized dentist specialties and their definitions include the following, which may help you find the correct dentist for your particular need:

• Endodontics: Endodontics is the branch of dentistry which is concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology: Oral pathology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of pathology that deals with the nature, identification, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial regions. It is a science that investigates the causes, processes, and effects of these diseases. The practice of oral pathology includes research and diagnosis of diseases using clinical, radiographic, microscopic, biochemical, or other examinations.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology: Oral and maxillofacial radiology is the specialty of dentistry and discipline of radiology concerned with the production and interpretation of images and data produced by all modalities of radiant energy that are used for the diagnosis and management of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral and maxillofacial region.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dentistry which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics: Orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is the dental specialty that includes the diagnosis, prevention, interception, and correction of malocclusion, as well as neuromuscular and skeletal abnormalities of the developing or mature orofacial structures.
• Pediatric Dentistry: Pediatric Dentistry is an age-defined specialty that provides both primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.
• Periodontics: Periodontics is that specialty of dentistry which encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth or their substitutes and the maintenance of the health, function and esthetics of these structures and tissues.
• Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is the dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation and maintenance of the oral function, comfort, appearance and health of patients with clinical conditions associated with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues using biocompatible substitutes.

Finding a good dentist that you like in Mesquite is important.

It is OK to change dentists if you are not happy with your current one.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist that has not only completed college and 4 years of dental school, but has also completed an additional 2 to 3 years residency program accredited by the ADA of advanced education in orthodontics.

After receiving the additional years of training and education, an orthodontist has learned the skills that are required to treat the misalignment of teeth and facial development with braces, headgear, retainers and other methods.

The boom in cosmetic dentistry is prompting more adults to consider wearing braces to straighten their teeth, something once thought of as a rite of passage for teens. So if you think you’re too old for braces, think again. Some adults are even opting to get braces at the same time their children do!

No matter how popular, braces for adults are often more complicated and time-consuming than for teens, whose jaw bones are still growing and whose adult teeth have recently emerged. In rare cases, an older patient may have to have jaw surgery as part of their treatment. Adults tend to have other dental problems, such as gum disease, that may require treatment before braces can be attached; plaque build-up and gum disease may be exacerbated by some forms of orthodontics.
Only a dentist that has completed the additional years of training and education after dental school is an orthodontist. Your Mesquite dentist should be able to recommend a qualified orthodontist.

The most widely available types of braces are:

• Metal or “traditional” braces: These come in different colors, even gold-plated versions are the least expensive type of braces and are widely available. They are strong and rarely break, requiring fewer time-consuming visits to the doctor. Staining is not a problem. “Speed” braces, involving a special bracket which locks onto the wire, are up to 40% faster and are more hygienic than regular versions since elastic bands normally used to attach the wire to the tooth bracket are eliminated. Speed braces are more expensive.
• Ceramic or “tooth-colored” braces: While they appear to blend into the teeth, these braces can eventually become discolored from wine or coffee. They are more comfortable than metal braces, and are usually attached to teeth that show—the uppers or upper fronts. These are available as speed braces as well.
• Invisalign® or “clear” braces: If patients choose to use these removable plastic trays to correct crooked teeth, they must be disciplined about wearing each tray in the series for the prescribed amount of time in order to get the best results. Food can’t get stuck between teeth with this form of orthodontics since no brackets or wires are used. Invisalign® usually takes about as long to work as ceramic or metal braces, except in patients with severe problems, but this method can be more expensive. It usually requires fewer doctor’s visits. Used to correct slight or moderate misalignment, orthodontists are increasingly following treatment with ceramic braces in more severe cases.
• Lingual braces: These are braces, usually metal, that sit behind the teeth, on the tongue side. Although they are not visible, they may interfere with talking and are more expensive than other kinds of braces.

Teeth Whitening - Also called “teeth bleaching” can brighten and whiten your teeth from discoloration and / or staining. This procedure can be done in your local dental office in Mesquite or at home. Not everyone’s teeth can be bleached, so it is very important to check with your dentist first.

Veneers - Veneers are a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material. They are custom made and cemented to the front side of the tooth. A veneer can be used to treat dental conditions such as a slightly crooked tooth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth or even to cover spaces in between the teeth.

Implants - A dental implant is a metal device designed to replace missing teeth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant is permanent. A dental implant is designed to act as the tooth root and can anchor an artificial tooth or teeth such as a crown, bridge or denture.

Crowns - Crowns, also referred to as caps, are custom made to fit over your whole tooth after the dentist has prepared it. They are usually made out of acrylic or porcelain that has been fused to metal, to withstand biting pressure. Crowns can be used in cosmetic dentistry to treat teeth that are poorly shaped, badly decayed, broken or chipped, have had large fillings and to cover spaces in between teeth.

Shaping - Also referred to as “enamel shaping” is the process in which the dentist can reshape the tooth by filing or removing some of the enamel. This process is usually not painful and can produce immediate effects.

Bonding - bonding is the process in which tooth colored materials are adhered (bonded) to the tooth. This is a procedure that can be used to repair or improve the appearance of a tooth that has been badly stained, broken or chipped.

Consult your Mesquite dentist for additional details about cosmetic dentistry services.