First time to the dentist in a while... and a ton of questions.?

I haven't been to the dentist since I was 3 years old. Now I'm almost 20, and I've been thinking about possibly having cavities, needing wisdom teeth pulled, or even getting braces to straighten my teeth... where should I start? Should I apply for dental coverage? I'm a college student, so are there plans that work for college students... and about how much would an initial checkup cost? Also... what's the difference between an orthodontist and a dentist - and how should I go about picking one in my area?





Thanks for any help that you could give. :)

First time to the dentist in a while... and a ton of questions.?
The first answer from Charles O was on regarding insurance and basic price for a dental visit however there is a very big difference between an orthodontist and a general dentist. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in straightening of the teeth be it for cosmetic reasons or necessity do to jaw problems etc... If you have not seen a general dentist since you were 3 yrs old you definately need to start there. At the initial exam expect to recieve a full set of xrays (usually 4 bitewings that will check for cavities inbetween the teeth and a panorex which is one large film that will show your jaws, sinuses, and roots and crowns of all your teeth including any wisdom teeth) You should also recieve a periodontal screening which is an exam using a tiny ruler that measures the space inbetween your tooth and gum. Six measurements around each tooth will be taken and used to evaluate your overall gum tissue health. You may or may not get your teeth cleaned at the first visit depending on how much tartar and plaque are on your teeth and what the numbers from your periodontal screening indicate. (numbers from 1-3 are ideal and if many 4 + are present you will likely have to have a more extensive cleaning). Also the dentist will conduct a thorough exam of your teeth looking for cavities or potential problems. An oral cancer screening should also be part of this examination. After the dentist has seen you and made his treament plan he will let you know if you could be benifited from seeing an orthodontist.





As for finding a dentist you can go to www.ada.org and asking around is a great way to find a good DDS. The ADA site is also a good resource for learing about what to expect from an exam and to answer some questions once you've had one. Don't forget to check out the BBB website to run the name of any dentist you do see.





I hope this info helps you!!
Reply:if your parents have health insurance it may cover you, if they dont then yes, apply for dental coverage, get the temporary kind though. check with you college office or an insurance provider to get you a good plan.





an initial checkup would cost between $80-120, depending on how many additional tests are needed on your teeth.





an orthodonist does braces only, a dentist does all teeth work.





any dentist/orthodonist should be fine, there is nothing special about them, just call and ask for prices for checkup, that is the only difference usually
Reply:ask yur dentist all of tht stuff
Reply:your question is kind of too vague to really answer...what the others said was good.





Tell you what...when you go to the dentist... ask a LOT of questions... if they don't answer them to your satisfaction, go somewhere else (they HAVE to transfer your xrays, so you save some $ there) where they asnwer your questions. if they'r not willing to explain everything to you (everything!) then they don't deserve your money!


This is how I try to run my practice...yes, it's pricey but you should be fulling informed.





When y ou come BACk from the dentist, resubmit any specific questions about proposed treatment. Like , if they say, Oh, you need the following work and it's 20,000 dollars, seeya next time! then you shoudl come back and perhaps I can suggest some more economical alternatives to what you need done.
Reply:Look at this website they will help you save money and find a dentist in your area.http://www.AffordableDental4All.com