Do you need lots of dental work? Does thinking about the multiple appointments required for your extensive dental treatment lead to discouragement. Consider this. All that dental work doesn’t have to be done one tooth at a time. Quadrant dentistry is a new approach to comprehensive dental work that can save time, money and discomfort.
What is quadrant dentistry?
In the world of dentistry, the mouth is divided into four quadrants – the upper left, lower left, upper right, and lower right – and each quadrant contains 5-8 teeth. When you have multiple teeth that need work in one or more of these quadrants, your dentist can address all the dental issues in a quadrant in a single appointment.
What are the advantages?
When you are in need of extensive dental treatment, it’s better to focus on ALL of the teeth involved in just one appointment. For example, you may need multiple fillings in the same quadrant of your mouth. Here are some specific benefits:
1. Fewer appointments. Dentists work in sections and can complete major treatments in one appointment. Patients spend less time in the dental chair and take less time off from work. Quadrant dentistry is especially useful for anxious patients who look for fewer appointments and fewer injections.
2. Reduced expenses. While the cost of the actual treatment is the same, you do save money over time. For many patients, the cost of childcare and the loss of wages and sick/vacation time that occurs with multiple visits drastically escalates the overall expense.
3. Less discomfort and stress. Instead of dealing with the repeated stress and recovery of one tooth at a time treatment, quadrant dentistry allows for fewer visits, injections, and other aspects of dental work. Moreover, the procedure allows for the use of nerve blockers which can numb an entire quadrant.
4. Fewer surprises over time. Have you had the experience of needing a new and expensive treatment every time you get a checkup? The chances are that the problem has been developing for some time, but now you need a new crown. With the quadrant approach, your dentist can diagnose all the problems in a quadrant and discuss with you the appropriate comprehensive treatment plan. No surprises!
Quadrant dentistry is a promising new comprehensive approach that looks at the whole you – not just your teeth. By taking care of your smile in quadrants, your oral and overall health will thrive, and you will undoubtedly benefit in the long run.
Remember, healthy teeth make a healthy smile!
Dr. Nishan Halim