You wouldn’t buy a new car without doing your research about what desirable qualities it has, would you? No, of course you wouldn’t. The same logic should apply to when you’re searching for the right dentist to give you the beautiful smile you’ve been searching for. To help you achieve your dream smile, here are a few of the qualities you should look for when searching for a cosmetic dentist.
Location
Is the dentist’s office located close enough to your home that it’s not too far a drive? Is it close enough to your place of work that you can stop by for an appointment on your way home? Many cosmetic treatments, such as Invisalign or porcelain veneers, can require several appointments to complete. You don’t want to have to spend an exorbitant amount of time and money commuting to a dentist’s office.
Flexible Hours
Does this dentist offer early or late hours? How many days of the week are they open? If the dentist is only open during the hours where you have work, they might not be compatible with you.
Experience
You can usually find information on the cosmetic dentist’s experience and qualifications listed on their website. Verify that they went to a prominent dental school and are a member of professional organizations like the American Dental Association. This helps ensure that they stay up to date on the latest techniques and technologies that modern dentistry has to offer.
Before and After Photos
Any cosmetic dentist worth their stuff will have a smile gallery available to peruse, either at their office or, more commonly, on their website. You should be able to look at pictures of patients before and after being treated by this dentist. To get an idea of what your smile might look like in the future, look up cases similar to yours.
Personality
Since many smile makeovers require several appointments, it’s important to find a cosmetic dentist you click with. While you might not be able to get a read on their personality from their website, you can always call their office and ask the staff how they get along with the dentist, what their personality is like, and what it’s like to work with them.
Choosing the right cosmetic dentist is important, whether you just want a quick teeth whitening or a complete smile makeover. Keep these qualities in mind as you continue on your search. Good luck!
About the Author
Dr. Patrick Pirkle is a general and cosmetic dentist in Sebastian, FL who earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University Dental School more than 15 years ago. His professional memberships include the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the American Society of Implant 7 Reconstructive Dentistry. His practice offers multiple different cosmetic treatments to help you achieve the gorgeous grin you’ve always wanted. To learn more, you can visit his website.