Did you know that 25% of American adults avoid smiling since they don’t like the condition of their mouth and teeth? Around the same number of people are embarrassed or even anxious over this!
If you’re one of these people, then you’ll know how much your teeth can affect your quality of life. But you shouldn’t have to live with disappointment and anxiety. A good cosmetic dentist can help transform your teeth and give you the pearly whites you’ve always wanted.
Are you now thinking of getting cosmetic treatments done? Then you’ll want to pick an excellent professional for the job. Read on for a guide to choosing a cosmetic dentist!
See How Much Experience They Have
One of the first things you need to research is how much experience cosmetic dentists have. While they might have extensive experience in general dentistry, they might not have that much actual experience in cosmetic procedures.
If you can’t find this information online, feel free to get in touch with the dental practice. They should readily provide whatever information you need.
Try to pick a cosmetic dentist that has years of experience in what you need. For example, if you need your teeth whitened, it’s best to go with a professional who has done this procedure for many years.
Check Out Before and After Photos
Any person skilled in their trade would be more than willing to show how good they are at their jobs. So just like how a painter would post before and after photos of a house they worked on, good cosmetic dentists will also show off such images.
If the dentist you’re interested in has a gallery for before and after pictures, that’s definitely a good sign. However, you’ll want to closely examine these images, as some more unscrupulous dentists might retouch the photos to exaggerate their skills.
To get peace of mind, you can always ask the dentist for phone referrals to previous patients. You can then call them and confirm that the cosmetic dentist did an outstanding job.
Look at Their Reviews
You can pick a dentist who has fantastic dental skills, but if their people skills are lacking, it can make for a poor experience. This is especially true if you already have anxiety surrounding dental office visits.
If you find a potential cosmetic dentist to visit, make sure you look at their reviews. If they have an overwhelming number of positive reviews, then that’s a great sign! You’ll also want to check out recent ones to see what they have to say about the dentist, their staff, and the office.
You’ll obviously want to stay away from dentists who have many bad reviews. But you’ll also want to steer clear of ones who have no reviews at all. When dealing with something as important as your teeth, you want to go with someone who’s trusted and experienced.
Ask About Continuing Education
Dentistry isn’t a static industry. There are always advances in technology and techniques, which means it’s important that a dentist (and their staff) pursue continuing education.
Feel free to ask your cosmetic dentist if they have an emphasis on continuing education and if they provide it to their staff members too. Delve into deeper questions, such as:
- Where do they go for training?
- What courses do they take?
- How many hours a year do they go for?
There are no single right answers here, so it all really depends on what you feel comfortable with.
See What Financing Options They Have
Not everyone will be able to afford cosmetic dentistry outright. If this is you, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to scrimp and save before you can get treatment.
In fact, many dentists understand their patients’ financial struggles and offer some very good financing options. For example, there’s CareCredit, which is basically a credit card that’s used specifically for medical and dental treatments. Lots of cosmetic dentists also allow their patients to spread out their payments.
If you’re strapped for cash, then you’ll want to ask about financing options to see if they’re right for you.
Go for an Initial Consultation
A cosmetic dentist can seem like an outstanding one on paper, but you never know how they really are until you go meet them in person.
When you’ve decided on the best cosmetic dentist on your list, go for an initial consultation. Treat this like a job interview where you’ll get to ask questions and get a feel for things.
When you arrive, see how the receptionist greets you or if they even do so at all. Also, check out what the shape of the waiting room is in. This can tell you a lot about how the dental office is run.
Once you get in, take note of how the dentist and staff treat you. A great cosmetic dentist and their staff will be patient, kind, and understanding.
If at any time you don’t feel comfortable, don’t feel bad about not returning. You should feel 100% confident about the dentist you choose!
Get the Smile You Deserve by Choosing a Great Cosmetic Dentist
If you want to transform your teeth, you now know how to choose the right cosmetic dentist for the job.
At first glance, many cosmetic dentists appear to be excellent at doing their work. But it pays to do a little research, weigh your options, and trust your gut instinct. This investment of your time will be worth it when you can smile proudly and happily after getting the quality cosmetic dental treatment you deserve!
Are you ready to find a “cosmetic dentist near me”? Then request an appointment with Better Smiles Dental Care now. We’ll get back to you within 48 hours!