If your general dentist or physician suggests oral surgery, you may be tempted to make an appointment with the practice they refer you to since your dentist will not normally steer you wrong. However, we always encourage patients to conduct their research. Ultimately, choosing an oral surgeon to do advanced operations should be solely your responsibility. If you need an oral surgeon in Los Angeles, you want to entrust your smile to the most qualified professional, but this is not always a simple choice.
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#1 – Consult Your Dentist For A Referral
It is prudent to listen to your dentist since he or she has likely observed the results of the oral surgeon they recommend. If your general dentist provides you with a list of many oral and maxillofacial surgeons, you may require some assistance in picking the best choice. Even if your dentist only suggests one oral surgeon from a reputed center such as Santa Monica Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, you may still conduct your research and then ask your dentist whether he or she knows anything about the oral surgeon you’ve chosen.
Before making an appointment with a specialist based only on your dentist’s referral, we advise you to at least pose the following questions to your dentist.
- Why do you suggest the oral and maxillofacial surgeon?
- What treatment areas do they specialize in?
- Does the facility take my insurance and provide payment plans?
- Are there more oral surgery practices that you would recommend?
#2 – Read Evaluations
Next, determine whether anybody you know has had a positive experience with an oral surgeon. What did they like most about the experience? Is your desired technique comparable to theirs? Hearing about a positive (or negative) experience from a friend is beneficial, but online reviews are also highly useful. Check out what current and former patients are saying about your oral surgeon in Los Angeles, but keep in mind that people are typically only motivated to submit a review after a very positive or negative experience, which means you’re getting a biased perspective. If there are unfavorable reviews, you should take note of them, but you should also evaluate how the oral surgeon reacts and if the remarks were about the treatment provided or something else (they didn’t accept my insurance, I didn’t like the receptionist, etc.). Do not let a single negative review impact your perspective more than a single positive review. Rather, base your conclusion on the consensus.
Keep in mind that in addition to obtaining general information about a specialist through online reviews, you can also obtain information about their insurance and financing policies, determine whether or not their peers and colleagues respect their abilities, and determine whether or not they collaborate with local hospitals and emergency rooms.
#3 – Surgeon’s Education, Specialty Training, And Continuous Learning Dedication
All oral surgeons have finished the necessary training to do oral surgery, therefore, you might argue that experience distinguishes an outstanding surgeon from the rest. Ensure that your selected physician has performed your operation several times, since a surgeon with 30 years of experience may have never performed the treatment you require. You can typically discover the doctor’s background information on their “About Me” or bio page, or you may phone the office to enquire about their expertise.
Finally, investigate continuing education credits and technology progress. If the expert is devoted to adopting the most recent methods and technology into his or her practice, there is a significant chance that he or she is aware of the most effective surgical treatment alternatives.
#4 – Request Samples
Numerous oral surgeons have photographs of their work, patient testimonial videos, case studies, and other tools available to demonstrate the quality they can deliver. In this instance, a picture may be worth a thousand words, so be sure to get samples of their work.
#5 – Options For Dental Insurance And Financing Available
Check to see whether the oral surgeon accepts your dental and/or medical insurance since this is a crucial consideration when choosing one. This information is often available on the website of your insurance company or by phoning the oral and maxillofacial surgery practice directly. Even if your general dentist suggests a certain oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you should still confirm that they participate in your dental and medical insurance networks. Finding a great surgeon who takes your insurance is worth spending a morning determining whether or not an oral surgery practice is in-network with your insurance provider.
