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How Do You Choose the Best Cosmetic Dentist?

When it comes to getting the perfect smile, a cosmetic dentist can help you and your mouth. From the basics like professional teeth whitening, to more complicated procedures like dental implants, a good dentist can change your life.

Planning a dentist visit can be nerve-racking, but you’ll eliminate a lot of stress if you choose the right cosmetic dentist. You can rest assured that your mouth is in good hands, but the trick is to find the right dentist for your needs.

Why You Need a Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic dentists do far more than just whiten teeth. If you have discoloration or a missing tooth, it can impact your self-esteem and even affect whether or not you smile and laugh around others. With today’s technology, there are a number of options for patients who are unhappy with their smile. Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants, bridges, or even dentures, while discoloured or stained teeth can be made new again with veneers.

Don’t let the word cosmetic fool you, this is a valuable service and one you shouldn’t be afraid to seek out.

Finding the Best Cosmetic Dentist

Not all dentist surgeries are equal and you should do some research before you select one. The best way to do this is to get a recommendation from a trusted friend. If you don’t have this, however, then online reviews can be a good way to tell if a dentist is well-liked and has a good reputation.

However, just because a dentist does a wonderful job with one procedure, such as teeth whitening, that doesn’t mean they will be good at everything else. Look for a dentist that is well rounded or specializes in exactly what you need. Ideally, the surgery you visit will have a variety of experiences and can suggest which would work best for your situation.

Other ways to determine if you’ve found a good dental surgery include:

Multiple dentists: A surgery that has several dentists available will tend to have more diverse abilities. One dentist may be better at certain procedures, for example. You also save a lot of time by visiting a surgery that offers multiple options, since the wait times tend to be shorter.

Affordable: Finding an affordable cosmetic dentist can be challenging, and it’s best not to select one merely for their price range. Consider the value, too. After all, you’re paying for the years of study and experience that the dentist put in so they could be one of the best.

Experience: How much experience does the dentist have? If you’re looking at a dental surgery, with multiple dentists, check how long it has been in business. Cosmetic surgeries don’t stay in business by hiring poor dentists, so if they’ve been around for some time, you can rest assured that the dentists working there are top quality.

Keep in mind that while education is important, it’s just as important that your dentist has a few years of practical experience.

Friendly: If you don’t like the person who is working on your mouth, it will be a very difficult appointment. Ideally, you’ll meet the dentist briefly for a consultation before you start any of the major work and this should let you know if you get along. While personality isn’t everything, it certainly helps, especially if you’re nervous.

Good with children: Not all dentists work with paediatric patients and that’s fine, but if you have children who need a check-up, you need to choose a dentist who is familiar with handling children. It’s a whole different area of dentistry and requires extra patience and understanding, so you’ll want to find out what other patients have to say.

Understanding: If you’re a nervous dental patient, you certainly want a dentist who is able to explain things and ensure you are calm before beginning. The more experience a dentist has with anxious patients, the more likely you are to have a good experience.

Examples: Many dentists take before and after photos of their patients’ mouths and these may be on their website or in a book at the office. It may be helpful to see what the different procedures look like. Ask if you can see before and after photographs of the procedure you’re considering, to get a better idea of the dentist’s skill with the methods used.

Credentials: Make sure any dentist you visit is qualified. They should be accredited with the proper authorities and this information is be freely available.

If you’re still not entirely sure about the dental surgery, you can book a consultation. This gives you a chance to meet the dentist and discuss your concerns, as well as find out what they would recommend. It’s a good way to find out if you are comfortable with the person.

Teeth Whitening

One of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures is teeth whitening. Teeth can pick up stains from foods and beverages and they also tend to change colour with age. Medications can also wreak havoc on the pristine appearance of your teeth, so bleaching them may be a good option.

This is a service that any cosmetic dentist will offer and it’s a relatively simple procedure. You can usually ask to see before and after photos to get a better idea of how your teeth will look once you’re done. You should also consider asking about the process, since different procedures are used in different offices. The method used will determine how often you need to follow up for treatment.

Dental Implants

If you’re missing teeth or need to have some pulled, it can be tough to chew properly, plus you end up with an unsightly gap in your mouth. Dental implants can be very intensive, as they require actually placing a faux root into the bone and anchoring a new tooth to it. However, they act like normal teeth once in and can be a good option for some people.

Many cosmetic dentists won’t do the actual implants, but can refer you to an orthodontist who will handle the work. This is due to the fact that it is actual surgery and requires a specialist to handle the procedure.

An alternative to dental implants would be bridges, which are not anchored the same way and can be handled by cosmetic dentists. These require having solid teeth at either end of the bridge, so that the weight of chewing can be dispersed to the good teeth. For anyone not wishing to undergo surgery for their teeth, this is an excellent alternative.

Dental Veneers

If your teeth are stained or marked up in a way that can’t be removed with teeth whitening methods, you may need something more. Veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth, giving a natural, stain-resistant smile. It’s also non-invasive, which appeals to many people.

The most popular type of dental veneers is made from porcelain, which is long lasting and durable. It not only keeps your teeth looking great and naturally white, it also serves as an extra layer of protection. The process is relatively simple and can be done by a good cosmetic dentist.

Dentures

In some situations, dentures are the best way to replace missing teeth. These are essentially scaffoldings with a fake tooth or several on it. The piece sits over the gums wherever you’ve lost your own teeth. These are removable and may be partial or complete, depending on how many sound teeth you have in your mouth and whether or not you’re willing to pull out more teeth.

Partial dentures just fit in a space where one or more teeth have been pulled. A complete denture replaces all the teeth in cases where there were no healthy teeth left to hold a bridge. The dentures can be fitted by a cosmetic dentist and should be completely comfortable for eating, talking, and living your life as usual.

Should You Get Cosmetic Dental Work Done?

Cosmetic dentistry can change your life. Imagine smiling with the knowledge that your teeth look perfect. Imagine eating without annoying gaps, or hard food hitting your gums where your teeth are missing. The boost in self confidence is well worth having the dental work done, but it does need to be completed by a well-trained, experienced dentist.

Are you ready to love what you see in the mirror? Book your appointment today with Riverside Dentist Surgery to find out how we can help you recover your smile.