Treatment Options
Most dental practice websites begin by listing the procedures they offer.
We’re not going to do that.
Richard Dilworth was an engineer who designed diesel-electric locomotives for EMD, during the great transition from steam to diesel power. He once said this in an interview, given after his retirement:
“If you wanted a fence for the yard, there, and asked a plumber to build it, he’d make it out of pipe and couplings. If you asked a carpenter to build it, he’d use wood and nails. Give the job to a blacksmith, and he’d probably weld it, and a bricklayer would use mortar.”
“It’s a good idea to have a man around who is interested in none of these special arts, but who is interested in the fence.”
And so it is with dentistry.
When Mrs. Pim has a toothache, she doesn’t say, “I want a root canal treatment!” She wants to be free of pain.
When Mr. Kowalski fractures a molar, he doesn’t exclaim, “Give me a crown!” He wants his tooth restored to comfortable, reliable function.
When Mrs. Nakamura loses a front tooth to a vertical fracture, she doesn’t necessarily seek an implant or a bridge—she wants a beautiful, functional, secure tooth back in her smile.
And when Mr. Beauchamp learns that he has periodontal disease, he doesn’t declare, “What I need is scaling and root planing!” He wants healthy gums, a healthy mouth, and to protect his overall health.
We’re interested in the outcome. The procedures are simply how we get there.
We’re interested in your fence.
