8 Tips to Help You Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentist
Your smile is a big part of who you are. It is how you express yourself and stay in a positive mindset. When you feel embarrassed about your smile, it can affect your confidence and how you interact with others. Fortunately, there are cosmetic dental procedures that can help.
Cosmetic dentistry can enhance the aesthetic appearance of your smile by correcting imperfections that keep you from reaching your full potential. However, finding the right cosmetic dentist for your needs is key to achieving your smile goals. Here are a few tips to help you find a qualified cosmetic dentist near you.
1. Learn As Much as You Can About the Procedure
When you are considering a cosmetic treatment to improve your smile, the first thing you should do is learn more about the procedure to see if you are a good candidate. How does it work? What can you expect? What does the recovery time look like? The more you know, the more informed your decisions will be when choosing a dentist.
2. Look for a Dentist Who Has Experience with What You Need
You want to look for a dentist who specializes in the particular procedure you have in mind. For example, they may focus on porcelain veneers or dental implants. If the dentist has extensive experience helping patients with similar issues or concerns as you, they may be a good fit.
One way to do this is to look at the dentist’s website to see what services they offer. Professionals who have completed numerous procedures with successful results will typically feature before and after images. This will help you get a better idea of their capabilities.
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3. Ask for Recommendations from People You Know
Another good place to start your search for the right cosmetic dentist is to ask family or friends for recommendations. If you know someone who had a cosmetic dental procedure and you are impressed by the outcome, ask for more details about their experience.
Outside of the procedure itself, you can also get a first-hand account of the dentist’s office efficiency, the team’s friendliness, the ease of appointments, what type of aftercare they provide, and other factors that could sway your decision. You are also getting the opinion of someone you know and trust, which gives personal recommendations more validity.
4. Check the Dentist’s Qualifications and Training
A qualified cosmetic dentist will have specific degrees, certifications, and training to back up their skills. They must earn an undergraduate degree and a doctorate from an accredited dental school (DDS or DMD) before obtaining a dental license. They will also need to complete post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry to gain experience and hone their skills.
When screening cosmetic dentists in your area, be sure to ask if they are board-certified by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Earning AACD accreditation involves:
● Additional workshops and courses
● A written exam
● Submission of clinical cases
● Oral examination
Although it might feel pushy to ask questions about a dentist’s background, remember that you are putting your smile in this person’s hands. A qualified dentist will understand that you are only doing your due diligence before taking the next steps.
5. See If the Dentist Participates in Continuing Education
Additionally, you want to find a cosmetic dentist who values continuing education. Dental technology and techniques are constantly evolving, especially with cosmetic treatments, so it is vital that the dentist is up to date with the latest trends and practices.
For example, some cosmetic dentists train to use advanced digital imaging or simulation programs to show you what your smile will look like after the treatment. It can be a huge benefit to work with a professional who offers predictable results with less invasive or more advanced procedures.
6. Research Online Ratings and Reviews
You can also learn a lot about cosmetic dentists by reading online reviews and testimonials about their services. First, the quality of reviews a dentist has may reflect the quality of their patient care. People who feel strongly about the service and treatment they receive are more likely to leave a review.
Next, highly rated dental offices with detailed reviews should definitely be on your list of potential cosmetic dentists. See what people are saying about these dentists and why they gave the rating they did. You can use this information to determine if the dentist aligns with your needs and offers the level of service you expect.
7. Call the Office to Ask Questions
After you have narrowed down your choices, consider calling the dental office to ask questions. This is a good opportunity to get more information than what is available online, including:
● If the dentist is accepting new patients
● How soon could you get an appointment
● How many appointments are necessary for the treatment
● If they accept dental insurance
● If they offer flexible payment plans
8. Schedule a Consultation with the Dentist
Before making a final decision on who you want to perform your cosmetic procedure, schedule a consultation to speak with the dentist. During this one-on-one time, you can talk to the dentist about your concerns and how you would like your smile to change. You can discuss the procedure in more detail and have the dentist walk you through each step.
Your dentist will also have a chance to examine your smile and provide recommendations for treatment. While you may already have a procedure in mind, there could be other options that make more sense for your situation. In some cases, another cosmetic treatment could mean less recovery time with comparable results.
Cosmetic Services at Las Vegas Aesthetic Dentistry
Do not trust your smile to just anybody. At Las Vegas Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Tati and our team of skilled professionals are dedicated to exceptional patient service in our beautiful Henderson office. We focus on personalized treatments that will help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
To learn more about our services, contact our team to schedule a consultation with Dr. Tati. We offer an array of high-quality cosmetic services, including porcelain veneers, dental implants, teeth whitening, Invisalign, and more!