Improving your smile can be achieved through a number of cosmetic dentistry treatments or procedures. Finding the right cosmetic dentist is key when it comes to upgrading your smile. Consider the following tips on how to choose your cosmetic dentist.
How to Choose Your Cosmetic Dentist
Consider the following factors when choosing your cosmetic dentist.
Consider Personal Referrals
One of the best ways to find a good cosmetic dentist is by getting referrals. Talk with your friends and family about where they go and see if any of their dentists are a good fit. This shouldn’t be a deciding factor, but you can get a good initial list going with referrals from your own circle. You can also search online and see what kind of reviews local cosmetic dentists have and then to your initial list.
Consult with Your Regular Dentist
If your regular dentist doesn’t offer cosmetic dentistry services, or if it isn’t their specialty, see if they have any recommendations. The field of dentistry is fairly small so they likely know a few people in the field who are skilled in cosmetic dentistry. Again, this should not be a deciding factor. However, getting a comprehensive list going before you dig deeper into your search can be helpful.
Verify Credentials
Many dentists will advertise that they offer a number of different dentistry services. However, not every dentist proves skilled and experienced in cosmetic dentistry. Pay close attention to the memberships, associations, and academic groups they remain a part of. You can also look up what their credentials are to determine if they are the right fit for what you need.
Verify Continuing Education
For many professionals, continuing education is necessary. Staying committed to learning beyond the original education they receive in dental school is necessary. This is especially true when it comes to cosmetic dentistry as many general dentistry programs do not offer this specialty. Find out if the cosmetic dentist you are considering has had continuing education regarding the procedure you want. This can help you weed out some of the cosmetic dentists from your initial list.
Consider Availability
A more administrative factor you should consider is their availability. Some cosmetic dentistry practices have limited hours so it’s important to consider both of your schedules. If you can work around their schedule, that’s great! However, if you are busy and need flexibility when it comes to appointment times, be sure you have found a cosmetic dentist that can meet your scheduling needs.
Consider Your Budget
Unlike general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry remains generally not covered by most dental insurances. With that, understanding the out-of-pocket costs before you choose a dentist is important. Consider your budget and determine if the cosmetic dentist you want is within your budget. Some cosmetic dentists do offer payment plans so consider these factors in advance so you aren’t surprised when the bill comes.
Ensure Comfort
You will likely be visiting the cosmetic dentist more than once. It’s important to feel comfortable with the office atmosphere. This includes the space itself and the staff as you will be interacting with a number of people. You can assess this at your consultation or even look at photos and videos online beforehand.
Ask About Treatment Options
Modern cosmetic dentistry in Encino is highly advanced. Talk to your potential dentists about their technology, anesthesia options, and any other factors that are of importance to you. Having a cosmetic dentist that utilizes state-of-the-art technology to ensure that you are not only comfortable, but also getting the best care, is important.
Review Portfolio
One of the most important final steps when choosing a cosmetic dentist in Encino is to review their portfolio. Look at a number of before-and-after photos of the specific procedure you are interested in getting to be sure you like their results. While they cannot promise you the exact same results, it can help give you an idea of what their work looks like.
