What Kind of Patient Are You?

What Dental Products Should I Use? What is a Periodontist and How Can One Help Me?

Everyone has a different relationship to their healthcare - different priorities and resources that define the kind of care you seek. We’re not judging, we promise! But in our experience, dental patients fall into one of three categories - and knowing which category fits you can help you (and your provider) determine your best plan of dental care.

The Reactive Patient

Comes to the dentist only when in pain or something specific has happened to the teeth

Pros: You’ll spend less time at the dentist, which would be appealing for anyone with dental anxiety.

Cons: You’re likely to experience more pain than most, and face potentially higher costs overall on things that aren’t caught early enough - a potential small filling now needs a root canal, a crown now becomes an extraction/implant because your dentist can no longer do anything to save the tooth.

The Proactive Patient

Comes to the dentist for regular checkups/routine cleanings and does minor work as needed (filling cavities, etc.)

Pros: You’ll maintain a solid, healthy dental condition and reduce your chance of being blindsided by bigger work later.

Cons: There is still the chance that, if only addressing minor work as you go, you will experience unexpected discomfort and cost if/when a tooth cracks or breaks down.

The Regenerative Patient

Interested in the most comprehensive, preventive dental treatment recommended - actively seeks out solutions to potential dental issues.

Pros: Covers all your bases, maintains optimal oral health, and gives you the best chance of avoiding unexpected cost and pain

Cons: Requires a larger time (and potentially monetary) commitment up front

So which type of patient are you, or do you fall somewhere in the middle? To be honest, we love to see patients fall on the spectrum between proactive and regenerative, as that gives us the best chance to help them achieve optimal oral health. But wherever you fall, make sure you are taking good care of your teeth at home and seeing your dentist as regularly as you are able!

1 Response To What Kind Of Patient Are You?

I have been going to Strobel Dentistry for over 65 years. I dare say that I am their longest standing continuous patient (only because my older sister Sally moved to Wisconsin). I have been religious about returning regularly for my hygiene appointment (starting with my dad and continuing with my son Dan. This was easy to accomplish since I worked in the practice as a dentist for 38 years. During this time I had one filling due to decay and one root canal due to basketball injury. I am living proof that a lifetime of continuous good dental care can protect your teeth, TEETH WERE MEANT TO LAST A LIFETIME. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. But it must be a team effort. The dentist can only do so much, if you do not brush and floss daily at home.