A Guide To Help Narrow Down Your Dentist Search

Do you feel self-conscious about smiling around strangers, or even your friends, worried they'll judge the look of your teeth? Cosmetic dentists can help repair the issues you have with your teeth to give you the boost of confidence you need in order to feel better about your smile. After you’ve decided to move forward with a procedure in cosmetic dentistry, finding and choosing the best cosmetic dentist for your treatment is an extremely important decision.

Cosmetic dentistry is not considered its own specialty, according to the American Dental Association. Because it is not recognized, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. How do you differentiate between those who call themselves cosmetic dentists versus those who actually perform these treatments on a daily basis?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry provides patients a comprehensive list of cosmetic dentists that pay for a membership on their site. This list allows patients to sift through dentists based on location and their specialties. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it is wise to visit the individual websites of these dentists to view details about their offices.

What Should I Keep in Mind When Looking for a Good Cosmetic Dentist?

Referrals: When you get personal referrals to dentists that have been used by people you love and trust, it can be an easier decision to make when choosing the one for you. You can also ask for a recommendation of a good cosmetic dentist from your general family dentist to see who he or she trusts with the exact procedure you may be looking to get.

Education: When a dentist is in school for this industry, there are very few classes offered about cosmetic dentistry. If a dentist wishes to pursue this form of dentistry, he or she must continue their education in a post-graduate training program.

Experience: You can typically find examples of the dentist's experience by looking into the galleries provided on their websites. A good cosmetic dentist will show proof of before & after photos of their cosmetic procedures. If it is not available online, you can always call the office to see if they can email you these photos instead of needing to make a consultation appointment to view them.

Consultation: Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a few contenders, you can schedule a consultation with each dentist to see how you feel when meeting them. The dentist will go through and check your smile and recommend some options for repairs on the spot. Make sure to talk about cost during this appointment as this is an important decision making factor.

Are You Comfortable? At the end of the day, the best way to decide whether a cosmetic dentist is the right one for you is how you feel in the office. Is the staff friendly? Is the dentist caring and open to answering all questions? If you feel comfortable and well cared for, the overall experience should be good and exciting for you as the patient.

Contact Renaissance Dental Center about whether you're a candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry.

Renaissance Dental Center is conveniently located in Raleigh, NC and services surrounding areas including Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, and Garner.

Curious about some of the costs associated with Cosmetic Dentistry? Learn More Here>