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How to Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentist for Your Needs
Posted by Dr. Julie Boudreault On 17-09-2024
No one is born with a perfect smile. However, anyone can have a straighter, brighter, and more beautiful smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry. Thanks to a wide variety of modern treatments, you can finally have the smile of your dreams. You just need to pick the right cosmetic dentist.
In this article, we will offer a few helpful tips on finding the best cosmetic dentist for your needs. Once you’re done reading, contact Milltown Dental to learn more about our cosmetic dental services in Milton!
First, Define Your Smile Goals
Before you begin looking for the right cosmetic dentist, it helps to know what you’re looking for. This starts with defining your immediate smile goals. If you’re researching cosmetic dentists, then you likely already have a treatment or two in mind. Maybe you have a chipped tooth or a case of malocclusion.
Alternatively, you may have noticed that your once bright smile is fading to an undesirable shade of yellow. No matter the imperfection, there is a cosmetic dental treatment that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Your new cosmetic dentist may even recommend a procedure that you didn’t know was possible!
Determining your smile goals also helps you ask better questions once you contact a potential clinic. You can explain what kind of smile transformation you’re after, and then see what they say.
Hopefully, the clinic will impress you with its knowledge, services, and general helpfulness. This makes it easy to see if they’re a good fit. If the clinic isn’t able to answer your questions, explain their services, or offer additional information on their technology and payment options, then you know to keep looking.
Of course, your smile goals will likely change over time. Just because you’re happy with the brightness of your smile now, doesn’t mean you won’t feel differently after a few more years of coffee drinking. Consequently, you should prioritize a dental clinic that can grow with you as your needs shift in the long term.
Common Cosmetic Dental Issues
- Crooked teeth (malocclusion)
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Discoloured, stained, or yellowed teeth
- Uneven or gapped teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Missing or knocked-out teeth
- Gummy smile
Compare Cosmetic Dental Services
Once you understand your immediate smile goals, you can start comparing various cosmetic dentists. First, take a close look at what cosmetic treatments they provide. Do they offer the procedure that’s most important to you? What other services do they provide?
Chances are, you would prefer to have your cosmetic dentist and general dentist under one roof. You already know how to get to the clinic, what the parking situation is like, and that their services are top-tier. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to inquire about their other dental services as well, such as preventative & restorative dentistry, and additional services like porcelain veneers.
After your successful cosmetic dental procedure, you may not want to go anywhere else for your oral care needs!
Check Their Credentials and Specialized Training
Although some cosmetic procedures have restorative benefits, cosmetic dentistry is a separate field. Cosmetic dentistry includes a refined skill set and a deeper understanding of smile aesthetics and cosmetic treatments.
Surprisingly, it’s common for general dental programs to leave out cosmetic dentistry. This means that regular dentists are not necessarily cosmetic dentistry experts. Of course, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than complete expertise when it comes to the health and appearance of your mouth. Therefore, you should look for a dentist with specialized training and certification in cosmetic dentistry and if they specialize in what you require in cosmetic dentistry like orthodontics or even porcelain veneers.
Most dentists specialize in multiple types of dentistry. The best dentists continually complete additional courses to stay up to date on the latest techniques, technologies, and materials. Furthermore, they’re always learning and expanding their knowledge through training and seminars.
Read Client Testimonials
Before deciding on a cosmetic dentist, don’t forget to read some client testimonials. This provides valuable insights into the quality of their procedures and customer service.
Are their previous and ongoing customers satisfied with the results of their cosmetic treatments? Did they feel comfortable and respected in their dealings with the dental clinic? Was communication prompt and attentive? These are all important things to consider.
Review Before and After Photos
You should look at before and after photos of their cosmetic dental procedures. Just make sure that you’re seeing actual examples of their dental work and not generic case studies.
Before and after photos can be very revealing. You’ll be able to gain a better idea of the quality of the work that the dentist offers. These images are intended to be examples of their best work. If you don’t like what you see, then it’s better to learn that now rather than when it’s your own mouth.
Ask About Payment Options
Dental procedures are often expensive, including cosmetic procedures. Some insurance plans cover some of the costs associated with cosmetic dental procedures, or how much your veneers cost, but it varies depending on the insurer.
Be sure to check with your insurer to see what’s covered, then talk to your cosmetic dentist to ask about payment options. Some clinics offer financing to help their patients pay for procedures. A beautiful, healthy smile should be accessible for everyone—without undue amounts of stress, either.
Don’t be afraid to ask our friendly staff at Milltown Dental about payment plans. We work with you to come up with a financing plan if your dental insurance does not cover all or some of your cosmetic treatments regardless of the procedure, denture, or veneer cost.
Consider the Location, Accessibility, and Hours
Lastly, don’t forget to consider the logistics. Specifically, where is the clinic located, how easy is it to get to, what parking is available, and what are the opening hours? If you’re only planning on visiting a clinic for one or two appointments for a single cosmetic procedure, then you might be able to bear a little added convenience, especially if this is your preferred clinic!
However, those small inconveniences quickly add up with more frequent visits. If you’re hoping to start orthodontic treatment with Invisalign, for example, you will need to visit the clinic every four to six weeks. Traffic, poor parking, and long commuting times will almost inevitably become a hassle.
Before signing on with a new dentist, make sure you can handle the commute (and that you’ll be able to find parking once you get there). Also, double-check that their hours work with your schedule.
Milltown Dental: Cosmetic Dental Services
Milltown Dental has a wide variety of cosmetic procedures to fit all your needs. These include professional teeth whitening, Invisalign braces, porcelain veneers, and more. We bring expertise to your smile, so you can enjoy a Hollywood-esque smile at a price you can afford.
To learn more about our cosmetic dental services, call Milltown Dental at (833) 318-3281 or contact us here.
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