I'm stuck deciding between two periodontists. One's been practicing forever, tons of experience, great reviews, but kinda old-school methods. The other one's younger, less experience overall but uses newer tech and minimally invasive procedures. I'm leaning toward the newer techniques because, you know, less pain sounds good—but then again, experience counts for a lot too. Anyone had similar choices? Curious which way you went and how it worked out.
I totally get your dilemma. Honestly, I've been in a similar spot—not with periodontists specifically, but with dentists in general. I had to choose between an older dentist who'd been around forever (super nice, tons of loyal patients) and a younger one who was really into the latest tech and methods. I ended up going with the younger dentist, mostly because the newer equipment seemed like it'd be less painful and quicker recovery-wise, plus it was actually a bit cheaper overall (budget concerns here, lol).
It worked out pretty well for me, but I do sometimes wonder if the experienced dentist might've caught certain issues earlier or had more tricks up their sleeve in tricky situations. On the other hand, the younger dentist was really gentle and talked me through everything step-by-step, which helped with anxiety a lot. Plus, recovery really was quicker than I expected.
Still, I think it's not just about new vs old techniques—it's also about how comfortable you feel with the person. Have you met both of them yet? Sometimes just chatting with them for a few minutes can give you a gut feeling about who's gonna be a better fit. Also, maybe ask if the experienced one has ever considered incorporating newer methods or if they're strictly set in their ways?
Another thing—have you looked into the cost differences between the two? Sometimes newer tech can be pricier, but sometimes it's actually cheaper in the long run if it means fewer follow-ups or complications. I guess it depends on your insurance too (mine wasn't great, so I had to factor that in).
Anyway, your instincts seem pretty solid. Minimally invasive does sound appealing, especially if pain is a big factor for you. But yeah, experience definitely counts for something, especially if your situation is complicated. Curious—have you asked either of them specifically about your particular case and how they'd handle it differently? Might give you more clarity.
