10 Tips for Choosing the Best Cosmetic Dentist

10 Tips for Choosing the Best Cosmetic Dentist

How can you know who is the best cosmetic dentist for you in San Diego?

If you’ve considered improving your smile, you’re on a wise path. People with attractive smiles, according to statistics, are considered more intelligent, successful, and friendly. Research also reveals that those who have whiter teeth are more likely to land a job and a higher salary than co-candidates with darker teeth. In addition to positively influencing the first impression you make on new acquaintances, cosmetic dentistry can boost your self-esteem and confidence. As a cosmetic dentist in San Diego, Dr. David Eshom offers a wide range of dental procedures to make your smile unforgettable. But what does “cosmetic dentist” actually mean? How can you know whether you’re selecting a reputable, qualified, and experienced cosmetic dentist?

These 10 tips will help you choose the best cosmetic dentist  for your unique needs and tastes.

1. Visual Evidence – Following logic, a cosmetic dentist who readily produces evidence of his or her work may be a good choice. Of course, you need to make certain the before-and-after photos on the doctor’s website are his actual patients, not stock photos. If he confirms that they’re truly his own patients, and you’re impressed by the smile makeovers you see, you’re on the right path to finding a good dentist. But it takes more to be the best.
2. Education & Training – An excellent cosmetic dentist will have invested time and effort into learning the most reliable procedures for cosmetic treatments. Look on your candidates’ websites to learn about their training and expertise specifically in cosmetic procedures. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry offers accreditation to dentists who pass rigorous guidelines. Other excellent organizations for cosmetic dentists include the World Clinical Laser Institute and the Seattle Institute of Advanced Studies. Also consider that experience takes time. A dentist who has practiced for decades may have completed more cases than one who just began his or her career.
3. Range of Procedures – A dentist who truly practices cosmetics will offer a range of esthetic services, and he’ll mention those services on his website. Many family dentists perform a large number of crown and bridge cases per year, but only a few veneers cases. In contrast, a cosmetic dentist will offer and perform a significant number and variety of specifically cosmetic procedures, including but not limited to traditional and minimal-preparation porcelain veneers, white restorations (fillings and crowns), various options for teeth whitening, cosmetic bonding and contouring, laser gum contouring, and orthodontics, such as Invisalign®.
4. Second Opinions Welcome – Any dentist, general or cosmetic, should welcome second opinions and encourage patients to seek a second opinion if there are any doubts about the diagnoses or treatment plan.

5. Financing – Since cosmetic dental procedures are not covered by dental insurance, patients commonly seek financing to make treatment affordable. A solid cosmetic dentists will know this and offer financing options so that nothing stands between his patients and their potential smiles.
6. Preview Your Smile – Dentists who truly focus on cosmetics often provide a digitally-created smile preview. Using special software, the dentist can upload a photo of your current smile, input some data regarding the procedures you’d like to see performed, then produce a realistic, full-color image of what your smile could look like, fully enhanced with those procedures. This amazing tool, called cosmetic imaging, is ideal for making informed decisions about your cosmetic dental treatment plan.
7. Thorough Consultation – When scheduling your smile makeover consultation, the dentist should set aside ample time to not only answer all of your questions, but also make you aware of what to expect from various treatments. He or she should be able to produce educational videos, like this one on porcelain veneers, to help you understand what various treatments can accomplish. You should feel at ease, comfortable asking questions, and confident in the answers the cosmetic dentist provides. If you feel uncomfortable or pressured during your consultation, consider whether you’ve me the best cosmetic dentist for your needs. There are many to choose from in San Diego!
8. Alternatives – After your exam, during your case presentation, the cosmetic dentist will explain his recommendations for your treatment plan. He should be able to offer alternative options for most of the procedures he suggests. For instance, if porcelain veneers would be the ideal choice for you, but you’re not ready to undergo the costly and significant procedure, the dentist should recommend bonding, a low-cost alternative that does not last as long as veneers, but produces a nice result.
9. Attention to Your Comfort – Many people seek a smile makeover when their teeth are in need of significant repair. If you’ve avoided professional dental visits because they make you feel stressed, anxious, or fearful, or you have difficulty sitting in a dental chair for a lengthy procedure, the dentist should be able to offer you medicinal comfort measures. Sedation dentistry has helped many cosmetic patients finally receive the dental care they need, after years of avoiding the dentist’s office.
10. Convenient Appointments – For short procedures, such as in-office teeth whitening or white restorations, patients will normally be required to make appointments during office hours. However, if your smile makeover plan entails many procedures that will require long visits, you might want to select a dentist who will schedule after-hours appointments to accommodate your schedule.

If you’d like to schedule a smile consultation with a respected, educated, experienced, and talented cosmetic dentist who has over 20 years of experience with esthetic dental procedures, call Dr. David Eshom of San Diego today at (858) 455-9151.