If you are thinking about getting any work done on your teeth for cosmetic purposes, it is crucial you choose your dentist carefully. The American Dental Association does not consider cosmetic dentistry a specialty, meaning there is no required training to offer these types of services. Do you know what that means? Any dentist can offer these types of services, and deem himself a cosmetic dentist. Here are just a few important considerations to guide your decision.
Training
Inquire about training specific to cosmetic procedures. Any dentist serious about offering these services properly will have taken proper training courses. Examples include courses in specifically cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers, laser dentistry and all-white restorations. Do not assume anyone offering these services has received special training, and don’t be shy about asking.
Membership in Dental Associations
Membership in professional organizations is usually a good sign that the practitioner is skilled in his field, and the particular specialty. When it comes to choosing a cosmetic dentist, look for ones that are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. While this alone does not guarantee the dentist is good, there is a good chance anyone in this organization has received additional training and education in these particular procedures.
Ask about the Dentist’s Ceramist
The quality of the ceramics used in your procedure is a primary predictor of the quality of the results you will get. If you are after the best result possible, it is important you ask the dentist about the ceramist they work with — you want a master ceramist. This professional’s training is as important as the dentist in many respects.
Previous Work
Whether you are looking for a dental office in Lexington, KY, Los Angeles or Louisiana, you want to see the dentist’s previous work. A good cosmetic dentist will have copious amounts of before and after photos — make sure you see ones that are similar to your situation for the best idea of the results you can expect. And, you don’t just want to look at pictures. Ask if you can get in touch with previous patients to ask them about their experience. A solid cosmetic dentist will have no issues with this, as he will have plenty of happy patients from which to pick.
Scheduling Issues
Before you decide on a dentist, make sure you have a solid idea of how long your procedure will take, how many visits, etc. and find out whether the dentist’s schedule works well with yours. You want to know if there are any upcoming vacations or other commitments that would interrupt the treatment schedule, and whether this is acceptable to you depending on what is happening in your life at the moment.
How Do You Feel?
Besides the practical considerations such as experience, results from previous patients and the like, it is also important to tune into how you feel when you are meeting with the dentist. Do you feel confident in his ability based on how he answers your questions, and how he explains the procedure? Does he seem happy to answer your questions? Do you feel comfortable? Are he and the staff friendly?
If you take these important factors into account, you are well on your way to finding the right cosmetic dentist for you, and getting the smile of which you have always dreamed.