How to Find a Cosmetic Dentist and What to Ask

So you’re interested in having cosmetic dentistry treatment but aren’t sure where to start.  The first step is to locate a cosmetic dentist.  LVIsmile.com is an excellent site to find a highly-trained cosmetic dentist in your area.  The next step is to go in for a consultation.   There the dentist will perform an oral exam, discuss your needs and desires, and suggest a potential treatment plan. 

 

While you’re at your initial consultation appointment, ask the dentist if they have any literature about cosmetic dentistry that you can read.  Be sure to discuss the specific cosmetic treatments the dentist can provide.  Most cosmetic dentists today provide a full-spectrum of procedures, including composite (tooth colored) fillings, bonding, crowns, bridges, tooth whitening, veneers, and Invisalign®.  Many cosmetic dentists also provide implant treatment as well. 

 

You can also ask the dentist if they can show you actual before and after photos of patients they’ve treated with cosmetic dentistry.  Be sure to discuss the financing options available at the dentist’s office and the number and length of appointments your proposed treatment plan will take.

The Importance of a Healthy Smile

What is the first thing you notice when you meet someone new?  The vast majority of people state that a person’s smile is the first characteristic they are drawn to.  So realistically, how important is this fact to your life?

 

Obviously personal relationships are affected by how much a person may like another person’s features.  However, a healthy, beautiful smile is also important in the professional world.  If people generally notice the mouth and teeth before any other features, their first impression will be greatly impacted by them.  And in this competitive economy, you want to do everything possible to leave the best first impression.

 

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses a broad range of dental treatments and procedures that improve the health and aesthetics of the teeth, mouth, and smile.  Treatments range from procedures as simple as teeth whitening and fillings to the complexity of a full mouth restoration.  Other treatments include dental crowns, veneers, bonding, etc.

 

The pricing of cosmetic dentistry differs depending on what procedure is completed.  Talk to your dentist about what cosmetic dentistry procedures are right for you and will help you leave the best first impression possible.

More Than Just Word of Mouth?

Cosmetic dentistry is becoming more popular than ever. One factor contributing to its rise in popularity can be attributed to the increased ability for people to share information. Internet websites, news articles, and blogs are drawing more and more attention to cosmetic dentistry. People all over are using internet search engines to search for such phrases as “ best cosmetic dentist,” “cosmetic bonding,” “dental bridge work,” “cosmetic veneers,” “local dentists,” “reconstructive dentistry,” “tooth colored fillings,” and much more. Such searches lead to a variety of sites that help people find cosmetic dentists near them who specialize in aesthetic dentistry or want to learn more about the process.

Search engines can help dentists track which specific terms or keywords are being searched for the most, allowing them to gain a better understanding of the interests and concerns of patients. This enables dentists to adapt their services and websites based on what people are interested in learning about.  This information can be used to ensure that those who desire the benefits of cosmetic dentistry can find exactly what they are looking for with ease.

Addressing Dental Pain

While some people may experience minor tooth sensitivity to things like hot or cold foods and drinks, it is not normal to have regular tooth pain.  Extreme tooth sensitivity or pain can be an indication that a cavity is present.  Seeing a dentist right away for treatment can help prevent cavities from getting worse or spreading. 

 

Cosmetic dentists offer metal-free, tooth colored composite fillings that are virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth.  They are a safe, effective, and practical alternative to silver and gold fillings.  Cosmetic dentists are experts at providing composite filling treatment. 

 

No one should have to live with dental pain.  Early intervention is the key to catching cavities before they worsen.  Metal-free composite fillings are an aesthetically appealing option for treating cavities discretely. 

Reconstructive Dentistry

If you or someone you know has neglected dental health for years and think there is no hope for a perfect smile, think again.  The growth and advancement of reconstructive dentistry gives almost anyone the chance for a beautiful smile.

 

Reconstructive dentistry is any combination of dental procedures conducted on a patient that reconstruct the teeth, gums, or jaw. It is used to repair teeth that have been damaged from poor dental health, accidents, age, heredity, or any other situation that causes damage to your teeth. 

 

Reconstructive dentistry is often done while the patient is under conscious sedation and a local anesthetic.  It can consist of procedures such as implants, veneers, crowns, bridges, etc.  Reconstructive dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are very similar in the types of procedures that are performed.  However, cosmetic dentistry is based of treating the aesthetics of a person’s smile, while reconstructive dentistry is designed to repair damage in one’s smile.  Talk to your doctor about whether reconstructive dentistry or cosmetic dentistry is right for you.

Trick or Treat: A Ghoulish Tale with a Happy Ending

With Halloween right around the corner parents everywhere are telling their children “if you eat all that candy your teeth will fall out.” Many adults today heard that same warning from their parents but did not listen and have found that it actually holds some truth. Years of poor eating habits and oral hygiene have been shown to cause cavities, periodontal disease, and a variety of other dental conditions that can damage teeth to the point of falling out.
The shame of having to admit their parents were right is bad enough. Adding an unattractive mouth with missing teeth on top of that makes it much worse. What parents don’t know or don’t share is that those teeth can be easily replaced with reconstructive dentistry resulting in an even better smile than they had before. Missing teeth can be fixed by a cosmetic dentist through dental bridge work and implants, and other tooth veneers as needed. Any discoloration from too much candy, coffee, smoking or simply aging can additionally be taking care of through laser teeth whitening. So remember this Halloween as you share that same warning with your children that although they may damage their teeth, there will be help thanks to cosmetic dentistry.

Bright, White Celebrity Smiles

Have you ever wondered how celebrities get their incredibly perfect white smiles?  Flip through any gossip or celebrity news magazine, and you’re bound to see page upon page of white, radiant, perfectly aligned smiles.

 

There are a couple of reasons for this.  Celebrities may have undergone tooth whitening to brighten their teeth.  Tooth whitening can be done in-office by a cosmetic dentist or at home using custom-made trays and whitening gel.  Tooth whitening can take years off the appearance of a smile by removing yellow stains and discolorations. 

 

Another likely reason for celebrities’ white smiles is tooth veneers.  Veneers are a thin facing of porcelain applied to teeth that can completely change the appearance of a tooth.  They can be used to correct slightly misaligned teeth, discolored teeth, chipped teeth, and more.  The veneers are created to be whatever shade the patient would like—enabling celebrities to enjoy those bright, white smiles.   

Finding the Right Dentist

Finding any dentist is easy, but finding the right dentist for you may be more of a challenge.  There are actually a few simple tasks that will help you find a dentist that best suits your needs and wants.

 

First, ask yourself what your needs and wants from your dentist are.  Do you seek cosmetic dentistry?  Do you want a dentist just for regular check-ups and cleanings?  Do you need significant dental work done?

 

Once you have figured out what type of dentist you are seeking, take time to research the procedures and/or treatments that will be performed on you.  Once you are familiar with them, you can create a list of questions to ask your potential dentists.  The more thorough the doctors are with their answers often indicate familiarity with the work that will be completed.

 

Once you have completed these tasks, you can go to the internet and begin your search.  Remember that websites are not always a good representation of the dental office.  Once you find a few dentists you think would be a good match, make sure to Google™ them and read their reviews.  It is amazing the feedback one can get from the internet. 

Taking the Guilt Away from Cosmetic Dentistry

A common struggle people find is the need to balance spending money on what they want and what they need. Everyone feels guilty for buying that expensive outfit instead of saving money for rent. Even worse is the realization that you actually only wear that outfit once a month.

                Too often people apply this same logic when they consider cosmetic dentistry. They fear the guilt of having spent money on something that is for appearance-sake only. An incorrect assumption and miscalculation prove this logic to be completely false.

The miscalculation is in terms of usage. Most people don’t realize that unlike that expensive outfit worn every so often, a cosmetic dentistry makeover smile is worn at all times. In terms of stretching your dollar to do the most for you and your appearance, cosmetic dentistry is at the top.  The incorrect assumption that many make is that cosmetic dentistry does not have health benefits. This is not the case as restoring your oral health can significantly benefit your overall health. Take as an example cavities being filled using tooth colored fillings instead of metal. This improves both oral health and appearance.

 Aesthetic dentistry can bring you the smile you want and need while improving your appearance and health. Search online for the best cosmetic dentist and allow them to complete your reconstructive dentistry needs.

Chipped Teeth and Dental Bonding

If you haven’t already, odds are that at some point in your life you will chip a tooth.  Chips can occur from a variety of things.  They can be caused by incidents such as biting down on a hard or crunchy piece of food, a bone left in a piece of meat, tooth grinding, or being hit or bumped in the mouth.  Most chips are not painful, though they can cause tooth sensitivity.  The reason most people choose to have chips repaired is because they can detract from the overall aesthetic look of a person’s smile. 

 

Cosmetic dentists have extensive experience repairing chipped teeth.  Oftentimes they can use a special material to fill in and smooth out chips in a process called dental bonding.  Dental bonding is easy to accomplish and can be completed in as little as one appointment.  It is a fast and affordable solution for repairing teeth.  In more extreme cases, dental veneers or crowns may be used to fix chipped teeth.  But most of the time dental bonding and tooth contouring (smoothing out the shape of a tooth) is the most practical and effective method to resolve chips.