A: General Dentistry is really an encompassing term that explains to the market, to the patients who are looking for a dentist—they would do a little of everything. Meaning, they’re going to be the doctor you go see for your routine checkups, your hygiene visits. Then, anytime you have a simple little filling or a crown that needs attention—general dentistry encompasses that.

At The Comprehensive Dental Group, we do general dentistry. It’s the anchor and foundation of what we do. However, within our group, we’ve added all kinds of different specialists. So, we can handle orthodontics, implants, endodontics, and we can do the full gamut of dentistry at our office.

Do you have a dentist you trust for general dentistry? If you don’t, that means you probably haven’t been to the dentist in a long time. It’s time to put your dental health at the top of your list and choose a dentist. Naturally, the first question most people ask that don’t have a trusted dentist in Houston is:

How Do I Find The Best Dentist Near Me?

This is a question often born out of frustration not lack of knowledge. Everyone knows you can Google for general dentistry in your area. However, the process is what can bring on the frustration.

Are you feeling overwhelmed when looking for the best dentist in Houston? Do you get a bit of anxiety when you search, “best dentist near me?” Surprisingly, that one search will bring up quite a few results—and what does that say about those findings?

Ironically, it’s either Google lying to you, clever keyword marketing, or it’s a legitimately amazing dentist in Houston. However, the trick is learning to decipher which result is a dud and which is a diamond of a find.

Your Oral Health Is Top Priority

Finding the best dentist in Houston for your dental needs is not an easy task, but a very important one. In fact, making your oral health a top priority will have a positive impact on your entire body. Think about it—your mouth is where many of your vital functions needed for life begin.

Breathing, nutrition, communication, and many more functions all come from functions of your mouth and its components, including your teeth. Therefore, finding the best dentist in Houston is one of the most impactful decisions you will make for your health.

Where Do I Begin The Search Process?

Ironically, if you live close to our offices, and you are reading this article—your search is already over. You found the best in general dentistry as well as many specializations. However, if we are too far of a drive for you just have a quick read over our guide. Rest assured, that once you put into practice what we show you— you’ll have the best dentist for your needs.

Remember These Key Considerations When Searching For General Dentistry Providers

When finding a dentist in Houston for your family’s dental needs, there are some things you need to consider. First off, you need to search Google for “best dentist near me,” and make a shortlist of the results.

Now, we know what you’re thinking, “How can a list this long be shortened?” Well, that’s where these key factors you need to consider come into play. Once you ask yourself these important questions, the results will filter out those that don’t fit your specific needs.

Is This Dentist Near Me Part Of My Insurance Network?

Naturally, dental work can get expensive very quickly without insurance. So, this question is going to filter down the results quite a bit. If you’re not sure how to verify if a provider is in-network, refer to your insurance company’s website. Now, you should have a list of providers that meet your financial needs.

Does This Dentist Maintain Membership In The American Dental Association (ADA) Or Other Dental Professional Organizations?

Naturally, if a dentist is legitimate and knows their craft, they will be accepted by their colleagues in the field. One sign of this is a dentist’s acceptance as a member of the ADA and other dental industry associations.  This is a good indication of their credibility because acceptance hinges on being vetted and bound by a strict code.

However, it is very possible that the provider you see is not an accredited member of the ADA. This may be due to their scope of treatment or specialization within the field. A reputable provider may also belong to other respected associations such as:

DON’T FORGET: Yes, these accreditations and academy memberships are a great indicator of a reputable dentist. However, it’s even more important that the dentist you choose is certified in Texas and that it’s up to date.

What Type Of Dental Treatment Do You Need?

Aside from financial concerns, this will be the most important question to ask yourself when seeking a dentist in Houston. Making the determination on what your greatest dental issues and needs are will further shorten this list.

Do you need just a checkup, cleanings, and other routine maintenance procedures?
The good news is, you have an abundance of options for general dentistry in Houston. Therefore, that’s when you just have to see how the dentist and staff make you feel. If you are confident in their abilities and their demeanor, then you have a contender!

However, if you have something like missing teeth you need replaced or a chipped tooth, you need a cosmetic dentist. Cosmetic dentistry in Houston is another field where there are quite a few options all over the city.

In fact, dentistry is a field with a wide range of specializations that cover more than just the routine services.  The good news is, that contrary to medical insurance procedures, you don’t need a referral to see a dental specialist. All you need is to find the dentist that specializes in the issue at hand:

  • Orthodontists deal mainly with teeth that are misaligned and provide solutions such as braces.
  • Periodontists specialize in treating and prevention gum-related diseases such as gingivitis.
  • Prosthodontists deal with complete tooth restoration, broken teeth, dental implants, and full mouth reconstruction.
  • Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeonsspecialize in sedation dentistry that involved complex procedures. In these cases, nitrous oxide isn’t a practical anesthetic as the surgeries require the patient to be very still.

NEED GENERAL DENTISTRY FOR CHILDREN?
If you are mainly seeking for children’s dental care, you want to search “pediatric dentist near me.” While these dentists are held to the same standards and training as any dentist, they cater to children.

Children tend to be fearful of going to the dentist and these kinds of practices use methods to mitigate that. They may use things like kids movies, video games, or toys in the waiting room to make it less anxious.

Additionally, they move at a pace that allows kids to settle in and get used to the dental examination process. go through the same training and certification as any dentist, but their practice caters to the needs and fears of children to make the visit much more pleasant.

Top 3 Questions To Ask Before You Schedule Your First Visit

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a dentist that may work for you, there’s one more step. You need to ask a few key questions before committing to an appointment.

There is no specific set of questions to ask as everyone’s needs are different. You really just want to ask the questions that are pertinent to your situation. Some of the most common questions we get at Comprehensive Dental Group of Houston are:

How Much Do General Dentistry Procedures Cost?

This is a very good question. You should always know upfront what the cost is for some common, routine services. Procedures like x-rays, cleanings, fillings, etc. These types of procedures are pretty basic without many variables. The dentist should be able to give you a pretty accurate estimate. This allows you to get an idea of the price range of the candidate you have chosen.

Do You Take Payment Plans?

Many dentists offer their own form of payment plans or financing such as CareCredit to lessen the immediate financial impact. Complex procedures like implants can end up costing a significant amount and most people can’t afford it all at once.

What Are Your Office Hours For General Dentistry?

If you find a great dentist in Houston but their hours don’t work with your schedule, then it’s pointless. Finding a dentist that has hours that can work for you is another key to good oral health. Not everyone can afford to take time off from their job for a dental visit. You might also ask about weekend availability or after hours. Also keep in mind not all operating hours are for general dentistry procedures. Many dentists will have days and times blocked off only for surgeries or implants.

The Best General Dentistry In Houston Can Be Found Without A Search

You can end your search now—because you are already here with the best. At Comprehensive Dental Group of Houston, we realize there are a lot of dentist options in Houston. We are so confident that we are the best in the city, that we encourage you to explore your options.

We encourage this because we know that when compared side-by-side—we are the best there is. Whether it’s general dentistry, or a specialization, we have some of the top dental professionals in the nation. Additionally, we have state-of-the-art technology that we constantly upgrade and improve. Above all, we know how well we treat our patients. Do you? Come by for your first appointment and see for yourself!