Cosmetic Dentist Near Me
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry includes all dental techniques aimed at improving and restoring the natural beauty of your teeth, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your smile, while maintaining the health and function of your teeth.
Why would I need cosmetic dentistry?
The indications for cosmetic dentistry are numerous and correspond to a large number of clinical situations. The most frequent reasons for cosmetic consultation are as follows:
- you want to replace one (or more) missing tooth (s), particularly in the anterior sector
- you want to "fix" a broken, deformed or chipped tooth, especially if it is a front tooth
- you find your teeth stained, yellowish or grayish
- the alignment of your smile does not suit you
- you find that your smile is too "gummy" (your gums are really visible when you smile)
Cosmetic dentistry is one of the most specialized and sought-after dental practice, which can making finding a dentist that you like a daunting and overwhelming task. However, once you find a good dentist who can perform these cosmetic procedures, you can achieve the smile you want! Here are some tips for finding a good dentist near you.
Pay attention to the dentist’s experience and credentials
Dentists who specialize in cosmetic dentistry have to have extra coursework in cosmetic work after then have finished dental school. It is definitely ok to ask a dentist what their experience and training is in the specific procedure you are wanting to have done. It is important to ask how long they have been performing a specific procedure and ask them for an estimate of how many they have done.
Ask your potential dentist about any professional associations to which they might belong
The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is the most well-know association for cosmetic dentists. If you dentist is part of this or another cosmetic association, it can show that they are dedicated enough to the specialization to join an association. Please note, however, that simply being a member of an association is not a guarantee that they are good at what they do.
Cost and Financing Options
Cosmetic dental work can be quite costly and is generally not covered by insurance. Because if this, for most people, it is important to consider cost when choosing a dentist. Be prepared to ask for a detailed quote of the work you want done. If you are not looking to pay everything in one lump sum, make sure you find a dentist that will offer payment options such as lines of credit or payment schedules.
Comfort
Ask your potential dentist what he or she may offer to help make your procedure as comfortable for you as possible. Dental offices offer many different ways of making your procedure pain-free and comfortable. It is a good idea to discuss your options for this with your dentist.
Convenience
Oftentimes, cosmetic procedures can take more than one visit to complete. Make sure you choose a dentist that is convenient for you to travel to and offers procedures during hours that you have available as well.
Quality of work
Ask each dentist you are considering if they provide before and after photos of their work- many of them do! Make sure the work they show is recent- within the last 2-3 years at most.
You are investing a lot of time and money into improving your smile- don’t take the decision lightly! Take the time to explore your options and ask questions of your dental care team.