If you’ve been looking for the real secret to a dazzling Hollywood smile, this article will help. Creating star-quality smiles with skilled cosmetic dentistry is both science and art. You can perfect your smile in a variety of ways including dental bonding, porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and other state-of-the-art cosmetic treatments.
Four factors when trying to choose the best cosmetic dentistry:
- Convenient office location
- Patient reviews and testimonials from patients with similar cosmetic dental needs
- Comfort with cosmetic dental procedures
- Cost of services that fit your budget
With these factors in mind, you can begin searching for a cosmetic dentist. There are a few ways you can go about finding the right one for you:
Local Search
Start with a local search of your area. Go to Google and type (or say if you are using voice search) “best cosmetic dentist near me.” This will eliminate dentists located outside your area.
Your Regular Dentist
Ask your general or family dentist for a recommendation or referral. General and family dentists refer to dental specialists all the time. They often know each other’s capabilities, training, and experience.
Your Insurance Provider
Most insurance providers offer online catalogs of in-network dentists. This can help you identify dentists who take your insurance. Just remember that most insurance providers do not cover elective cosmetic procedures. Once you’ve found your top contenders, take steps to learn more about them before you commit to treatment.
9 Ways to Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentist for You
1. Get Referrals
Referrals are the best way to determine if a dentist’s office is right for you. Ask your friends and family about their cosmetic dentistry experiences. Referrals can set you on the path to finding the right cosmetic dentist for your needs. Ask your regular dentist about cosmetic dentists in your area. Continue your research to determine if the recommended cosmetic dentist is right for you.
2. Check Credentials and Certifications
Some dentists claim to be cosmetic dentists but have no specific credentials for cosmetic dentistry. Look for dentists who are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or have similar trusted credentials. This doesn’t guarantee the dentist is skilled at cosmetic dentistry but it does show they are serious about cosmetic dentistry in their practice.
3. Confirm Their Office Hours Fit Your Schedule
Not all dentists have the same office hours. Many have irregular schedules with half-days and different opening and closing hours throughout the week. Some offices close Mondays while others close Fridays or open half-days. Consider only those cosmetic dentists with office hours that fit your scheduling needs. Pay close attention to the office’s opening and closing times on the days that match your schedule.
4. Confirm Their Payment Plans Fit Your Needs
Consider cosmetic dentistry’s cost. Different dentists offer different payment plan options. Once you’ve identified a cosmetic dentist you’re interested in, ask about their costs and payment options. Ask whether they accept your dental insurance. Flexible payment plans are important for elective cosmetic dental procedures not covered by insurance. Look for a cosmetic dentist who accepts credit cards or provides a flexible payment plan that will work with your budget.
5. Find a Comfortable Office Atmosphere
Many cosmetic dentistry treatments and procedures require more than one visit to the dentist’s office. Since you’ll likely visit the dentist’s office more than once, it’s important to find an office atmosphere where you feel comfortable. The easiest way to do that is during your initial consultation with the cosmetic dentist. Is the office clean and comfortable? Does the atmosphere feel friendly and welcoming? Choose a cosmetic dentist’s office where you will feel comfortable with the treatment.
6. Ask About Technology and Anesthesia
The cosmetic dentist you choose should offer the latest dental technology and sedation options. Ask about the technology they use for X-rays, chairside monitors, dental lasers, and microscopes. Make sure their technology isn’t dated. If you have difficulty relaxing during dental procedures, ask about sedation options. Many patients are fearful and anxious about dental care, and you’ll be comforted to know that your cosmetic dentist of choice can make you feel comfortable throughout the process.
7. Ask How Much of Their Practice is Cosmetic Dentistry Focused
The cosmetic dentist you choose should have a major focus on cosmetic dentistry. You want a dentist who has devoted most of their career to improving their knowledge and skills with cosmetic procedures. Ask them how much of their practice is focused on cosmetic dentistry. The dentist with the highest volume of cosmetic dentistry patients is probably a better option than one who has a low volume.
8. Review Their Before-and-After Photos
If you’re like most cosmetic dentistry patients, you’re curious about how you’ll look after your procedures. Ask to see the dentist’s before-and-after photos from previous patients. These photos will give you a better idea about the types of cosmetic problems the dentist has treated. If the dentist you’re considering doesn’t have before-and-after photos you should be wary about becoming their patient.
9. Confirm Their Office Location is a Good Fit
You shouldn’t have to drive an hour or more each way to reach your cosmetic dentist’s office. There’s a good chance you can find closer alternatives. Always calculate the distance between your home or work and the dentist’s office you’re considering. This is especially important with cosmetic dentistry procedures that require multiple appointments. Choose the dentist’s office with the nearest, most convenient location from your home and work.
Types of Cosmetic Dentistry
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If you have chipped, stained, crooked or missing teeth, you should consider a smile makeover.
A beautiful smile can brighten your life professionally and socially. It can improve your self-confidence and self-esteem. Imagine leaving your cosmetic dentist’s office with a smile you’ve always dreamed of–without pain or strain, and with little time away from your busy life. Cosmetic dental results can be immediate and dramatic.
There are many ways to achieve a more youthful, attractive, natural-looking smile. Some of the most common popular cosmetic procedures are:
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding sculpts individual teeth with a special tooth-like material that looks, acts, and feels completely natural. Bonding is an affordable, quick, and painless way to repair many cosmetic flaws or tooth injuries.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are like getting a manicure for your smile. Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain that a cosmetic dentist custom-fits over your natural front teeth. Your cosmetic dentist can change the shape, color, and length of your teeth in two visits. Porcelain veneers look so good that you’ll wonder why you waited so long to get them.
Teeth Whitening
If your teeth are discolored, stained, or dulled by age, state-of-the-art teeth whitening can make a world of difference. Your cosmetic dentist can complete the whitening procedure in just over an hour right in their office. You can also choose at-home whitening. Either way, having a dazzling smile isn’t just for celebrities anymore. It’s for you.
Once you decide on cosmetic dentistry, you should have a good understanding of your goals. You may not know exactly what you need, but your cosmetic dentist will explain your options and help you decide. If you have a deadline for your new smile–an upcoming social event or business conference–tell your dentist. For example, many couples seek cosmetic dentistry before their weddings.
If you’re unhappy with your current smile and want a solution from a team of experts in cosmetic dentistry, it’s time to schedule your first appointment. When you’re ready to beautify your smile and change your life for the better, contact Famous Hollywood Dental Care by calling 323.461.4676.