As I look outside of my office window or the front door of my home here in Lakeview, what do I see? Potholes and damaged streets EVERYWHERE! What is done about them? Orange cones are placed (if we're lucky!) and asphalt or shells are poured in, making it slightly less bumpy until the problem occurs again.
How does this relate to dental care? Well, most dental care in the U.S. is done on a "pothole" basis--problems arise and are treated on a short-term repair basis, sometimes without regard for long-term success or the surrounding environment.
Here at West End Dental, Dr. Guerin often talks about "COMPREHENSIVE, or RESTORATIVE CARE as opposed to emergency, or pothole care. This is a comprehensive approach that looks at the individual as a whole, helps people understand where their health is today and where they want to be in the future, and presents options to achieve a lifetime of health. It’s not something that can be done on the fly, like patching a pothole. Although sometimes we do still have to patch a potholes in a crisis, we’re always thinking in the long-term to make sure that our patients get the results that they want. Additionally, when the restorative approach is used, the outcome is always an aesthetically pleasing and long lasting smile. Yes, you can have both! This is because restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, if done right, go hand-in-hand.