Richmond General Dentist Defines Comprehensive Care in Dentistry

ROANOKE, TX, May 22, 2011

Comprehensive care helps maintain optimal dental condition in all stages of life. Teeth can become problematic for various reasons. Dental decay and gum disease are the primary adversaries to dental health.

Dental decay, or dental caries, causes destruction of the tooth structure. Scientists have discovered 32 acid creating, decay causing bacteria, with the possibility of five more. This common health problem affects 90% of people in the United States. Research has shown that 75% of people developed their first cavity by the age of five.

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, a chronic infection of the gums afflicts over 80% of Americans. Bacterial plaque and tartar release toxins that irritate the gums and breakdown the fibers that hold gums tightly to teeth. Untreated, periodontal disease can lead to serious overall health problems, such as increased risk of heart attack, stroke, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Through comprehensive care, dentists can delve deeper into your overall oral health. During a complete dental physical, a series of photographs will be taken, molds of your mouth will be made, a facial evaluation will be performed, and the presence or progression of gum disease will be checked. The goal of a complete dental physical is to give the dental provider a comprehensive understanding in order to provide the optimal dental care specifically for your needs.

Richmond Smile Center provides complete comprehensive and complex dental care. Dr. Charles Martin believes in the concept of over-engineering in dentistry, or dentistry that is designed to last through normal wear and tear of biting and chewing.
People often underestimate the fees associated with comprehensive care when major problems occur. A common mistake is comparing check-up dentistry to complex-care dentistry, which deals with difficult cosmetic and functional situations.
Comprehensive care involves both check-up care and complex care.

Dr. Martin has been at his practice, Richmond Smile Center, for over 30 years. He has authored several books on dentistry and dental business. Overall, Dr. Martin has spent close to 10,000 hours training in leadership, management, marketing, and clinical dentistry.

For more information, visit http://www.richmondsmilecenter.com/blog