The condition of your smile plays an important role in increasing self confidence. Approximately 32% of people say they are concerned by the look of their teeth. Fortunately, with advanced dental procedures, there is no reason to be ashamed of your smile. Most cosmetic procedures today are low risk, cost efficient, and easily accessible. If you cover your mouth when you talk or smile, scheduling an appointment with a cosmetic dentist may be right for you. How do you choose the best family dentist that provides cosmetic dentistry that will successfully improve the condition of your smile?
Ask for a referral
Referrals are one of the best ways to find quality physicians. If your current family dentist does not offer cosmetic dentistry, consider asking them for a referral to a dentist that does. Otherwise, consider asking a trusted family member or friend for a referral of a preferred cosmetic dentist. If you are still at a dead end, search the internet for the best cosmetic dentists in your area. With online reviews, you can find what previous patients enjoyed and did not enjoy about potential cosmetic dentists.
Schedule a free consultation
Cosmetic dentists usually offer free consultations. This gives both you and the dentist the opportunity to get to know one another. You can discuss your concerns and options with them, free of charge. In fact, you are never charged for services until you decide to go ahead with the cosmetic procedure. Your dentist can take a look at your teeth and recommend the best cosmetic procedures for you, whether it is braces or dental crowns. They can also discuss pricing and procedure times during this visit. If you require any regular dental care, such as dental cleanings or dental crowns, this will also be discussed during the consultation visit.
Look at before and after procedures
You can obtain before and after pictures of previous work that the dentist has done both on the internet and from the office. These photographs give you an idea of the quality of their cosmetic work. Specifically look at the before and after photographs of the procedure that you are considering. This will give you an idea of what is expected. Additionally, some cosmetic dentists have the ability to show you an estimated before and after of your own image. This is similar to the programs that are used in plastic surgeons offices. If you do not enjoy the after photo of other patients or your estimated look, you might want to choose another cosmetic dentist.
Inquire about the services that are offered
Doing your research ahead of time can also help you choose a cosmetic dentist. For example, if you are considering porcelain veneers, you won?t want to waste your time consulting with a dentist that does not offer this service. Does your cosmetic dentistry office also do routine cleanings and dental crowns? One of the most common concerns is with pediatric dentistry. Sometimes, children require services that are offered at a cosmetic dentistry office to improve the spacing of their teeth for growth purposes. However, not all cosmetic dentist offices offer pediatric services.
Another important service to inquire about is the likeliness of an emergency. Although most cosmetic procedures are low risk, problems can occur. Always inquire what to do if a dental emergency occurs, after business hours. Is there an emergency dentist that you can call? Can you reach the cosmetic dentist that did your work, after hours? Getting this information ahead of time can help you fully prepare for your upcoming cosmetic procedure.
Americans see the smile as one of the most important features on the body. In fact, 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex. A poor smile can also affect career and family confidence levels. Make sure you put a good amount of research into choosing your cosmetic dentist. Whether you are visiting for dental crowns, braces, or porcelain veneers, you want to know that you are in the best hands possible.
