Picking a general dentist

It's worth noting that I have dental anxiety ad while I don't let it stop me from going, I am terrible about making dental decisions.


I've been seeing the same dentist for 20 years but due to having insurance for the first time and not being pleased with my care lately, I am looking to make a switch. While this is happening I just had a root canal retreated (ughhh) and need to get the crown scheduled.


I've narrowed it down to 2 practices. I've met both and they are both young, 2nd generation dentists, and friendly enough.


The first dentist was super friendly, talks about taking a conservative approach and practicing "responsible procedures and common sense dentistry". He is a solo practitioner and while I worry a bit about getting in for an emergency, that is probably not something that would happen enough to worry about. I don't think his office has every bell and whistle, but he did recommend a gold crown for the very back upper molar (which I understand to be the best choice) and said he thought it made enough sense for my situation if I elected to go that route he wouldn't charge me more for it since it was the best choice. He also doesn't do things outside of the general dentistry world and recommends specialists as needed. I worry that too conservative can be an issue but that might be the anxiety talking. He did send me to a specialist that confirmed the root canal retreatment was needed.


The 2nd dentist is in practice with 2 family members and is an enormous practice. All are general dentists, but they try to do everything in house. They do braces, root canals, etc... and have all the latest technological goodies. I know they have the 3d CT scan machine, they fabricate crowns in house, etc... As a result, when discussing crowns, they would prefer to make it, but I don't think that is the best choice for this tooth (my endo also said gold). The positive is with so many dentists (a father, son and daughter) they can definitely fit me in as needed for an emergency. He was ready to put the crown on without checking for an issue but said he would do a 3d xray just to verify before.


Typically, is one type of practice "better" then the other? Both have virtually flawless reviews and I know people who go to both and are happy. Both seem to have nice practices with decent staff, etc...


With anxiety, I will probably second guess this endlessly and really need to make a decision and move forward with getting the crown. I just finished the retreatment today.


Hopefully this makes some sense.

Did you feel more comfortable personally with either one, ? click more, feel you could talk to them more? sounds like pros and cons to each. It sounds like you kind of appreciated the #1 choice and decisions/recommendations they made. but willing to explore option 2 as well.

krlovesherkids777 said:

Did you feel more comfortable personally with either one, ? click more, feel you could talk to them more? sounds like pros and cons to each. It sounds like you kind of appreciated the #1 choice and decisions/recommendations they made. but willing to explore option 2 as well.

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I really feel like I could go either way. Usually I have a clear opinion of which person I liked better. Both took plenty of time to discuss options, etc... I made a pro/con list and it came out even...lol

With #1, I liked the conservative approach as long as I am not giving up something by not having access to all the latest technologies. I also appreciated the gold recommendation, which the endodontist backed up. I do worry about availability and scheduling being a solo practitioner.

For #2, he will do gold but recommended his milling machine product, which I understand, but isn't ideal according to endodontist. I like the ease of scheduling and being seen with 3 dentists. My only concern is that they will use the technology even unnecessarily, since they have it, but that is completely unfounded and the people I know that go there are happy.

It really could go either way. I know people that go to both.

Also, I think they are about the same age and both have only been in practice a few years....which I think might be a good thing....?

I don't think there is a "bad" choice, which makes it a tough choice for me. With anxiety, i will surely freak out and mentally regret any choice I make until things have settled down.

My dentist (of nearly 10 years), until the last few months, was the only dentist in his office. I never had any trouble getting an emergency appt. if he was ever out of the office, his staff always had someone they could refer me to for an emergency. Maybe not all offices are like that, but could you ask them what they do in situations like that?

Also, I'm not always convinced that the 'latest technology' is always the best thing. But that's just my personal opinion.

Best of luck!

krlovesherkids777 said:

Did you feel more comfortable personally with either one, ? click more, feel you could talk to them more? sounds like pros and cons to each. It sounds like you kind of appreciated the #1 choice and decisions/recommendations they made. but willing to explore option 2 as well.

Click to expand...

Always get a dentist that has TONS of reviews. It's really as simple as that. I've also found dentists who have some math background (Degree) seem to be more calculative and precise in their work. Basically they pay attention to detail and that's what you want.

Nofeareric said:

Always get a dentist that has TONS of reviews. It's really as simple as that. I've also found dentists who have some math background (Degree) seem to be more calculative and precise in their work. Basically they pay attention to detail and that's what you want.

Click to expand...

You need to ask yourself which one did you feel more confident with?

Also might be good to have more dentists because if your dentist is on holiday then who is going to look after you in an emergency?

Someone who offers more services might lead to a better insight into other things. It's amazing how much things relate to each other and personally I would go for the latter. Things can get outdated very easily and some dentists can be stuck in the rot.

gentledental said:

You need to ask yourself which one did you feel more confident with?

Also might be good to have more dentists because if your dentist is on holiday then who is going to look after you in an emergency?

Someone who offers more services might lead to a better insight into other things. It's amazing how much things relate to each other and personally I would go for the latter. Things can get outdated very easily and some dentists can be stuck in the rot.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I felt like the first one had a personality that matches my preferences more but he is definitely a smaller practice and only at his own place for a couple years. I believe if he is away he has an agreement with another local dentist that they cover each other's patients.

As an added quirk - and I don't know if this is good or bad - the first dentist does his own cleanings where the 2nd has a hygienist. I don't know if that matters or not.

The first practice has more of a small town feel where I think the dentist wants to get to know you (and probably does with his cleanings...lol) and the 2nd felt more of a number, but these are based solely on 2nd opinions, I haven't had any work done at either yet.

I struggle so much with this and now I need to get the crown and am paralyzed with analysis and worry.

Somewhat related - of you have the CEREC machine and the patient preferred a lab made crown, is that an offensive thing to ask for?

Nofeareric said:

Always get a dentist that has TONS of reviews. It's really as simple as that. I've also found dentists who have some math background (Degree) seem to be more calculative and precise in their work. Basically they pay attention to detail and that's what you want.

Click to expand...

They both have really good reviews...none bad really. The 2nd has more, but his father started the practice 20+ years ago so they are a big operation.

Oddly enough, the first dentist had a dual undergrad in premed-biology and physics.....lol