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May/Jun 2009 | www.MyFamilyDoctorMag.com | 15 SPA PAMPERInG Teeth cleaning and pampering? Together? Whoda thunk it? "To en- hance the dental experience, some offices are offering spa treatments in conjunction with dental services," says Dr. Tiu. "Have fillings or a dental cleaning done while you get a pedicure or foot rub, or how about a hot towel and aromatherapy while you wait for the doctor?" Dr. Feltoon's office, for exam- ple, offers a massage chair, heated herbal neck wraps and paraffin hand treatments—for free. All this is just another way to enhance your relax- ation, says Dr. Tiu. But, he notes, some clinics may charge extra. And chances are your insurance doesn't cover pedicures. SPEED DEnTISTRy "It used to take several visits to ac- complish what can now be done in a day," says Dr. Goldberg. For example, crowns. "People may remember crowns or veneers being multiple-visit pro- cedures," Dr. Tiu says. They'd take an impression on the first visit, you'd wear temporary teeth for a few weeks, and then you'd go back for your permanent crowns. Now, it just takes one trip. "The teeth are pre- pared and scanned into a computer, the crown or veneer is designed on the computer and fabricated on a special milling unit—all in less than 20 minutes." You can only get single teeth with this procedure, though—no bridges. Even the dreaded root canal has changed. It "used to be a slow, tedious proce- dure, often consuming sever- al long appointments," says Dr. Colin. Now, "the time it takes to do a root canal is a fraction of the previous time, and the end result is more accurate and better quality." Implants and braces can also be quicker today. MOBILE DEnTISTRy In some places, dentists on wheels can come see you. Traditionally, this practice has been for rural areas "where it is not financially worth- while for a dentist to set up a fixed- location practice," explains Dr. Shan- non. This may be a growing trend as boomers age and mobile dentistry reaches out to the home-bound. Dr. Goldberg believes "it is much needed and relatively unavailable." But Dr. Shannon warns that if your child sees a mobile dentistry service at school, cavity problems may not be taken care of. He's seen businesses come in to schools to pro- vide only preventive services. "If one of their patients needs a filling, for instance, the patient is told to find a local, community-based dentist for treatment of the cavity." Dr. Shannon doesn't appreciate businesses like these, anyway, in part because they can be based out of state, he says, and "undermine the dental practices which are already in the community and have invested their livelihoods in that community." If all these trends make you feel over- whelmed rather than soothed, take heart. "At the end of the day," says Dr. Austin, "it's all about finding a dentist that makes you feel comfort- able, who you can talk to, who listens and explains all procedures thorough- ly, has a clean and comfortable office, who is well trained, and cares about their patients." "Having a television in the of- fice or exam room does not mean you'll receive quality care," notes Dr. Helaine Smith. Touché, Dr. Smith. Touché.