Are you in finding your perfect smile? You want to invest your time and money with a cosmetic dentist who offers great results. There is a lot of variation in the level of skill and experience in the market of cosmetic dentistry. This means that you need some “shopping” to find the right supplier. Here are five things to look for in a cosmetic dentist:
Practice approach
Any general dentist may advertise as a cosmetic dentist because there is no board certification in this area recognized by the ADA. However, there are general dentists who have received advanced training in aesthetic smile and dental restoration. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find one of the few accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) dentists. This organization was formed to help create a high level of excellence for dentists who choose to pursue cosmetic dentistry as their main area of expertise. It has rigorous standards of accreditation. However, it is a relatively new organization and is still in the process of gaining followers.
Website details
Dentists who choose to spend their time keeping up with the latest innovations and a best practice in cosmetic dentistry practice usually announces its different dentist’s family. This is partly because they make most of their revenue from patients who pay out of pocket rather than through being “in the red” with dental insurance companies. Cosmetic dentists know they need to market their services aggressively to capture market share.
Look for websites that put the emphasis on cosmetic dentistry procedures and not in more general services such as dental fillings and root canals. You are likely to find many patient testimonials and before / after photos of successful cases in cosmetic dentistry sites. You cannot believe everything you read online, but these things do not help determine which dentists in your local area are well known for their cosmetic work.
What to look for in a cosmetic dentist continuing education
The best cosmetic dentists not only learn by doing. It can take hundreds of hours of continuing education courses each year (beyond the requirements of the state). When interviewing a potential provider, ask what they have been learning recently. They should be happy to tell you about training courses attended in the last year and research initiatives involved, from cosmetic dentistry is an emerging field, there is always room for dentists to improve their technical skills and increase their knowledge. Dentists are enthusiastic about their patients benefit from advances in cosmetic dentistry are generally more motivated to keep learning.
Previous references the patient
Cosmetic dentists know that live or die by their reputation, so keep patients happy is very important to them. This does not mean that all tests you read online will be a glowing recommendation. But you should not find more than a few negative comments. If there is a recurring theme of dissatisfaction with a specific aspect of the service, that’s a warning sign that you should stay away.
The best way to get real references you can trust is of the people I know who have had cosmetic dental work done. You can also order a cosmetic dentist if they have patients who are willing to talk to you by phone or email about your experience of having a great smile. The best cosmetic dentists often have very loyal patients who are willing to give their views on the treatment process.
Consulting experience
This is the most critical part of the evaluation of a cosmetic dentist. During the consultation, you can find:
- Whether the dentist is using the latest equipment, such as advanced imaging technology to help you visualize and plan your smile makeover
- If the dentist has done work in patients with defects of teeth similar to yours (ask to see photos)
- If the aesthetic preferences of the dentist is a good match for his (which should be on the same page about things like the length of the ideal tooth and dental facial symmetry, color of teeth, the form of gum, etc.)
- The seriousness with the dentist takes the comfort level of patients (the dentist must provide anesthetic options and / or sedation to reduce discomfort and anxiety if necessary)
- How well the staff is trained to make you feel welcome and relaxed
- If the dentist advocates conservative treatment is the pressure in the procedures more than they really want
When you find the right cosmetic dentist will probably find yourself returning over the years to keep their teeth looking great. Therefore, choosing the right provider the first time!