7 Things to Know Before Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist

07/16/2018

Modern cosmetic dentistry can help you get the perfect smile you have always dream of. Whether your teeth are crooked, broken, chipped, discolored or stained, a smile makeover can help you with all of these problems. This important decision involves the investment of time and money, so you need to do your research before choosing a cosmetic dentist in Albuquerque. The process of finding the best cosmetic dentist for you can be pretty tough, so in this article, we will give you 7 important tips you should keep in mind before making this decision.

Check for Their Credentials

The American Dental Association doesn’t recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specialty, so any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. Even if someone is being recommended to you and you see photographs of their work, you should still search for their qualifications and credentials. You can always check this online – where they went to school, what courses they took and if they belong to any professional organizations.

Keep in mind that the most highly qualified cosmetic dentists are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. However, membership with AACD alone does not necessarily guarantee that a dentist is good. It shows they’re serious about their work and are willing to invest in the AACD membership. If you find a general dentist who also does cosmetic dentistry on the side, don’t choose them. You want someone who specializes in the field of cosmetic dentistry because they devoted their career to this and that means they’re more experienced.

Ask for Referrals

Someone’s honest personal opinion and experience can say a lot about the dentist. You can ask your friends, co-workers and family members for a good cosmetic dentist if they have had a cosmetic procedure or treatment. Ask what kind of procedure they had, how much it cost and how they felt with their dentist. If they give you a referral, make sure to check out the dentist’s website, give them call in their office or make an appointment for a consultation.

View Their Work

Most cosmetic dentists are proud of their work and will be more than happy to show you examples of before and after photos. Usually, they will have some of them even framed in their office or printed in an album or portfolio, so you can ask for this when you go for a consultation. You can check for before-and-after examples in their website as well. Just make sure that the photos you are being shown represent actual patients of the dentist you are considering.

Make Sure You Know What You Want

Before going to your first consultation with a cosmetic dentist, think about what you really want to change about your smile. You can make a list of the things that make you self-conscious and how you would like them to be changed. Take a good look at your list and make sure that’s exactly what you want. You can show it to your dentist and ask about every single thing on it. Communication between the dentist and their patient is important. Only in this way will your dentist know what you really want and will be able to give you different options and proposals so that you leave happy and confident at the end of the day. You can ask questions about the different procedures, technology, anesthesia and materials your dentist uses and what it would take to get your teeth done how you want them.

Payment Options

You should think about the payment options before choosing your cosmetic dentist as well. Have in mind that insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic dentistry procedures, so you should be aware of how much everything would cost and think about how you will be paying for it. When you go for a consultation, ask the dentist if they accept credit cards or if they offer payment plans. Many dentists do but it’s best to clear this out as early as possible.

Schedule and Location

Cosmetic dentistry procedures may require multiple and frequent visits so you want your dentist’s office hours to fit your schedule. That’s why this is another important thing to research before making the final decision. Make sure to check the location of the office as well. Look for a dentist whose office is close to your home or work so you don’t spend more time and money on getting there.

Comfort and Gut Feeling

You may have done every single step from the list above, but in the end, if they lead you to a dentist that doesn’t make you feel comfortable, definitely find another one. After all, the most important thing is to trust your dentist completely for whatever procedure you’re thinking of having. This is an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Make sure that your dentist and all the staff in the office are friendly, answer any questions you have, explain everything thoroughly and are interested in your comfort and feelings.

In conclusion, choosing the right cosmetic dentist and trusting them to create your new dream smile requires you to make all of this research and evaluate their credentials, qualifications, experience and previous work. If you can’t find the credentials of a particular dentist online, they should be willing to give you this information and tell you even more. Cosmetic dentistry requires a significant financial investment because it’s done by highly trained professionals who use high-quality materials and expensive technology.

Choosing the right cosmetic dentist for you, with enough experience in this field and a gentle approach to their patients is crucial to achieving your gorgeous new smile. Don’t be afraid to be picky while looking for a cosmetic dentist even though that can take a while. Think about what you want and remember that the smile you deserve can be created by only a few.