How to Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist

How to Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist

You’ve had that chip on your right canine for about five years now, and you’ve had enough! Maybe you’ll go with a single porcelain veneer, or maybe dental bonding can correct the problem. You’ve waited too long and you’re are ready to improve your smile!

But how can you be sure you’re getting the most skilled cosmetic dentist to complete the job? You’ve seen “bad dental bonding” pictures online, and you don’t want your tooth to look artificial or poorly sculpted. Is there a way to make sure you receive the best cosmetic treatment your money can buy?

Many patients rely on referrals from friends or family members, but you have to remember that every case is different. Some patients present easier challenges than others. A dentist who provided your mother with excellent same-day whitening, for example, may not be as skilled with conservative correction of dental flaws.

If you are looking for the best quality work, San Diego cosmetic dentist Dr. David Eshom recommends the following tips:

Look for Someone with Extensive Training on Multiple Cosmetic Techniques

Even if you already know which cosmetic treatment you want to pursue, the best cosmetic dentists should be able to provide a wide range of services with a high level of skill and artistry. Why? Only a dentist who has a great deal of experience treating a wide range of issues can be viewed as a master of cosmetic techniques. If a dentist provides porcelain veneers, but not dental bonding, this may indicate that he or she has not invested the time and energy into mastering this field—and is simply looking to make a quick buck on an expensive treatment.

How can you gauge a dentist’s level of experience and skill? Look for in-depth information on cosmetic treatments on his or her website and ask about it during your consultation.

Look at Samples of His or Her Work

Every dentist will be able to produce some impressive looking before and after photos but try to dig a little bit deeper. Ask if he or she has any photos that show how those smiles looked five years later, for example. Ask about treatments that may have failed and find out why it happened. A true master will provide cosmetic treatments that look wonderful and provide long-lasting results.

Choose an AACD Member Dentist

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) offers training and education on the latest techniques in cosmetic dentistry. If your dentist is a member of this organization it shows that he or she is committed to improving his or her craft and providing the most innovative treatments. If your dentist is AACD Accredited, he or she will have gone through a rigorous accreditation process and will have a higher level of expertise.

Consider Your Initial Consultation an Interview

Your cosmetic consultation is a time in which the dentist should do a lot of listening. If your dentist does not hear your concerns and value your intentions, he or she may try to push whatever treatment he/she thinks is best for you. That’s not how a consultation should go.

Before your dentist suggests any one specific treatment over another, he or she should have (1) listened to you explain your aesthetic goals thoroughly, and (2) discussed multiple treatment options, including costs.

If you leave the appointment having agreed to something you aren’t sure you want, consider that interview a failure and schedule a new appointment with a different dentist! You should never feel as though you are being talked into something you don’t want. Keep an open mind—but if you feel you are not being heard, keep looking!

If you’re in the San Diego area, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Eshom. He provides every cosmetic dentistry treatment under the sun and is continually expanding and enhancing his skills. Peruse our website to learn about the services he provides and read about Dr. Eshom’s accolades. Contact us through the website or call us at (858) 455-9151 to set up a free, no-risk cosmetic consultation with Dr. Eshom.