Going to have work done on your teeth is already fairly stressful. If you are thinking about getting cosmetic work done, selecting a cosmetic dentist who gives you confidence can seem daunting. However, you do want to be sure that you are comfortable with your selection, both in terms of knowing that you are getting the right procedure and that it will be done well.
Personal recommendations are usually a great place to start. First of all, you can see the actual results of somebody's work. When you do solicit personal recommendations from friends, families or co-workers, there are a few questions you should ask. You want to know exactly what procedure the person making the recommendation had. Also, don't be shy about asking to see a "before" photo of their teeth. Finally, make sure the recommendation is a specific practitioner, not just an office.
Once you have a few names, you can check their educational background to see that they've graduated from an accredited dental school. The easiest way is to simply call the office itself or check out its website. You also want to know about what continuing education, particularly in the cosmetic dentistry area, that the candidate has had.
You can also investigate the professional standing of the candidate. Your state might provide an online registry that could include their backgrounds and the status of any complaints filed against them. If it's not online, you can still call the state office to confirm that a license is valid.
You also want to know whether your selection is board certified in their states and regions. There are also numerous professional organizations to which any reputable dentist will belong. They will all likely have websites with directories that you can search for information on a specific dentist, as long as the dentist is in fact a member of that organization.
Once you have researched credentials, you want to make an initial appointment. This is not a meeting where you will get work done, but an opportunity for you to learn more about which one to choose. Don't be shy about meeting with more than one.
When you have your consultation, you can ask the dentist a number of questions. Some questions will be about the doctor's background. Other questions will cover your specific needs and how this dentist can help you.
For example, you can ask about what kinds of procedures this practitioner most frequently performs. You might also want to know how long this candidate has been performing any of the procedures you are considering.
When you have a specific recommendation for a procedure, ask about other options. Find out exactly why the practitioner believes the recommended procedure is best for you. Make sure you understand clearly what the procedure entails and what sort of results you can expect. Ask to see before and after photos of patients that have had that specific procedure.
Selecting a cosmetic dentist can take time. However, these are medical procedures and worth the investment.
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