Primary dental care is what the average individual can expect during their biannual visits to the dentists in Oak Park. This level of dental care normally consists of preventative procedures such as professional cleaning as well direct attention to issues such as a cavity. If the dentist notices anything that is outside of his or her area of expertise, you can normally expect to be referred to a specialist. This is where the term primary comes in; it simply refers to the fact that your dentist is the first place you go for dental care. The dentist who maintains your teeth on a regular basis may very well be the only dentist that you will ever see; you may never have need for specialist care.
Perhaps the best example of primary care is the semi-annual cleaning of the teeth and gums. This treatment is seen as preventative in nature and is intended to ensure that the patient maintains excellent oral hygiene which in turn makes it more difficult for cavities and other problems to set in. It is a fact however that even the best routine care cannot eliminate all problems; periodically the dentist will spot a cavity or some other dental problem that needs attention. In the case of routine dental care, the primary care dentists in Oak Brook will look after the treatment however, should the primary care dentist feel it is necessary he or she will refer you to a specialist, perhaps an orthodontist if your dentist feels that your dental health can be improved with braces. This type of care is very important as it allows the dentist to catch any potential problems early, usually saving the tooth as well as money.
If you have completed a course of orthodontic work, the primary care dentist will take over and make sure there is no adverse movement of the teeth, this is done with X-Rays. Orthodontic work is not part of primary care but as your dentist is responsible for maintaining all your records, regardless of which dentist performed what procedure, all referrals and follow-up work is done by your primary care dentist.
Other treatments that are performed without the need for any specialist attention is tooth whitening along with other cosmetic procedures such as veneers and crowns. In some cases, if the treatment requires oral surgery, your dentist and the oral surgeon will work in tandem
