Cosmetic dentistry is gaining in popularity among dentists. While insurance does not pay for most cosmetic dentistry work, people are willing to pay for work to improve their teeth and smile. Increasing numbers of general dentists are taking classes to improve their cosmetic dental skills and they are expanding their practices to offers cosmetic dentistry services.
Typically, most dental work is significant in the time it takes and the money it costs. Cosmetic dental work includes teeth whitening, replacement of gold fillings with white ones, veneers that permanently recover the teeth, implants that artificially replace lost teeth, or bonding to fix chipped or broken teeth. Because this is a highly specialized field, it is important to find a reputable, experienced cosmetic dentist before you consider having any of this work done.
Consider these tips as you search for a cosmetic dentist:
Ask for the Reference
Ask people about their cosmetic dentist Woodbridge VA. One of the best ways to find a good cosmetic dentist is to ask people you know about their experiences with cosmetic dental work. If you only need teeth whitening, then you won't need to look very far to find a dentist with this kind of experience. But if you are interested in having porcelain veneers done on your teeth, they you might want to find someone who has had similar work done to find out about their experience with the dentist that did the work.
Call the Dentists
Call the dentists you are considering. Once you have narrowed down a list of potential dentists, call them. Ask them about their hours and their terms of payment. Find out whether or not you will have to pay for a consultation. Then, ask them about the dentist's experience with the kind of work you would like to have completed. Determine which dentist you feel most comfortable with and set up and appointment.
Research On Your Own
Do some research on your own. One of the steps that people skip in having major work done on their teeth is doing research of their own. While the Internet is not always accurate, see if you can find some good articles and photos that explain the kind of work you are interested in having done. If you educate yourself about the steps that the dentist will need to take to get the smile you are looking for, you will be able to better choose the right dentist for your needs.
Get A Consultation
Once you have chosen a dentist and educated yourself, you need to go get a consultation. Most cosmetic dentists will do this for no cost. Once you hear the dentist's recommendations, you can compare that with the research you have done to find out if you are comfortable with having this dentist do the work. Usually, the cosmetic dentist can give you an approximate cost of the work on during that visit. If you aren't comfortable with the dentist or the recommendations, do not hesitate to obtain additional recommendations.
Kinds of Procedures
Dental implants Woodbridge VA can provide several different procedures, from repairing a tooth to performing a complete smile makeover. For instance, many people today visit their dentist for teeth whitening procedures because of stained teeth. Other people visit to have broken or chipped teeth repaired with composite bonding. Some require full mouth reconstruction to achieve a beautiful smile. A cosmetic dentist provides implants, laser treatment for gum disease, and porcelain veneers to enhance a person's smile. Many cosmetic dentists offer their clients the invisalign process to straighten their teeth and other procedures that will create a beautiful smile.
Dental Technology
Dentists specializing in smile improvement procedures always seek more effective methods of dental technology, causing a major growth in the last seven years. This has resulted in less pain and discomfort with more preservation of natural teeth and gum lines. Lasers and other dental technology strategies help dentists work efficiently and cut a patient's recovery time.
Cosmetic Dentistry for Smokers
Smokers put themselves in a unique situation for cosmetic dental care. Most importantly, smoking dramatically increases the likelihood of losing teeth and developing gum disease. Smokers often experience deterioration of their bone structure. This makes it difficult for a cosmetic dentist to perform many procedures. For instance, a cosmetic dentist cannot always place dental implants in a smoker's jaw because it will not properly fuse with the deteriorated bone tissue.
Selecting A Cosmetic Dentist
One of the best methods for finding a competent, trustworthy cosmetic dentist is by seeking referrals. Cosmetic dentistry is popular today, so most people know at least one person who has gone for treatment. It is also a great idea for people to ask their regular dentist for a referral to a trusted cosmetic dentist.
Initially, ask the cosmetic dentist about his expertise. For instance, if you require full mouth reconstruction, work with a cosmetic dentist who is an expert in that procedure. Ask plenty of questions and ask for written information on the treatments you plan to undergo. An experienced cosmetic dentist will walk you through everything that will happen, including your initial examination, preparations necessary, the actual procedure, and what kind of recovery time to expect.
