TheOptimalSmile
Reviews ( Contain )
1- Teeth Whitening 2- Porcelain Veneers 3- Repairing Chipped Teeth (Teeth Bonding)
4- Dental Implants 5- Clear Orthodontic Aligners 6- How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist
Teeth Whitenin
Teeth Whitening
Bleaching at Home or at the Dentist's Office
There's nothing that radiates health, happiness and even success like a sparkling white smile. So it's no wonder many people choose whitening to improve the appearance of their teeth. In fact, whitening is one of the least expensive cosmetic remedies available to enhance a faded smile. It can be done at home or at your dentist's office, using a variety of products and techniques. But even if you are only considering an at-home whitening approach, it's best to have a dental exam first to make sure your discoloration is not due to a condition in need of treatment. Your dentist can also help you choose the most effective whitening method for your particular situation.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Whitening involves applying bleach solutions to the teeth. The bleach attacks the highly colored organic molecules that lodge between the crystals of tooth enamel (the outermost tooth covering) or in the dentin (the tooth material under the enamel). It's these organic particles that give the teeth a stained appearance. For surface stains, the solution is left on the teeth usually for 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the method used. For internal stains on non-living teeth that have had root canal work, the bleach might be sealed inside the tooth. The bleaching process continues until these organic particles are rendered colorless. Bleaching works best on yellowish stains and even some brown stains, but may not work at all on gray discoloration. It's important to keep in mind that bonding material and fillings cannot be whitened with bleach. If you have these restorations in your mouth, you should consider how your teeth will look if the natural parts become whiter and the bonding stays the same.
Is Whitening Safe for My Teeth?
Generally speaking, whitening is safe because the chemicals used to attack the organic molecules do not materially affect the mineral structure of the tooth itself. There are many studies supporting the overall safety of whitening by bleaching, though it's possible to experience some temporary side effects such as tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will take precautions to protect your root surfaces to minimize your potential for tooth sensitivity.
The bleaches used most often in teeth-whitening products are hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The latter is particularly appropriate for home-whitening products because it is a more stable compound with a longer shelf life. It can also be left on the teeth for longer periods with less risk of sensitivity. Professional bleaching solutions containing hydrogen peroxide, a faster-acting bleach, can lighten teeth up to 10 shades in about an hour, though some people may need several treatments to achieve the desired level of whitening.
What Causes Teeth Staining or Discoloration?
There are two types of tooth discoloration: Extrinsic (external or surface) and intrinsic (internal).
Extrinsic staining is caused by substances that come in contact with the tooth. Big culprits are tobacco, either smoked or chewed, and foods containing tannins such as red wine, coffee and tea.
Intrinsic tooth discoloration can happen with aging as enamel loses its youthful translucency, becoming less porous; this makes the underlying dentin more visible as it thickens and becomes more yellow over time. Intrinsic discoloration is also caused by exposure to excessive fluoride or the antibiotic tetracycline during tooth-formation, inherited developmental disorders, and jaundice in childhood. For teeth that have erupted already, the main causes of intrinsic discoloration are tooth decay, restorations, pulp death (root canal problems) and trauma to developing teeth.
It's possible to have both extrinsic and intrinsic discoloration at the same time.
What Teeth Whitening Options Are There?
Whitening methods range from powerful gels that can only be applied by a professional to lower-dose products you can use at home. In general, professional treatments will achieve quicker results but will also be more expensive.
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Professional Teeth Whitening — This process involves the use of high-concentration whitening gels that are not available over the counter, as they would be less safe or less predictable if used at home.
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In-Office Whitening Systems — Your dentist will apply a gel to your teeth and leave it on for about an hour. A heat or light source (sometimes a laser) may be used during the process to increase the bleaching action.
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Take-Home Whitening — Your dentist will give you custom-made mouth trays made of thin, flexible plastic that you will fill with whitening gel and then leave on your teeth for a prescribed period of time.
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Over-The-Counter Teeth Whitening — These products contain lower concentrations of bleach but can be effective over time if used as directed. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on whitening products and consult your dentist for recommendations.
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Whitening Strips — These resemble clear adhesive bandages that are stuck onto the teeth and left there usually for 30 minutes at a time, twice a day for a week or two.
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Brush-On Whitening — These gels are painted directly onto the teeth with a small brush and sometimes left overnight.
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Whitening Gum — If you are already a habitual gum-chewer, you might want to try this relatively new form of whitening. You may need to chew up to eight pieces a day to see results.
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Whitening Toothpastes — remove surface stains and plaque with special chemical or polishing agents. Unlike bleaches, they do not change the actual color of teeth.
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What Are the Risks of Teeth Whitening?
The main risk is tooth sensitivity following bleaching and that varies with a given product's concentration and the amount of time it is left on the teeth. If sensitivity does occur, it usually lasts no more than one to four days. Gums can also become irritated on contact with bleaching solutions or by an ill-fitting mouth tray. It's important to wipe off excess gel from your gums during whitening and to inform your dentist of any problems.
How Long Do the Results Last?
No matter which whitening method you choose, you will probably find that the results fade over time. Whitening usually lasts from six months to two years, though longer-lasting results have been reported.
How Can I Maintain My White Smile?
You can make the brightness last longer by avoiding the foods and habits mentioned above that cause staining. Some individuals may need a touch-up whitening treatment in the dentist's office or at home once or twice each year.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers
A Cosmetic Enhancement for Teeth with Chips, Cracks, Stains
A porcelain laminate veneer is a thin layer of dental ceramic material that is fixed to the outer surface of a tooth with a special resin adhesive. Veneers essentially replace tooth enamel. They enhance teeth cosmetically by masking a variety of minor to moderate dental imperfections. Working with dentists to pick an appropriate shade of porcelain, dental technicians can skillfully replicate natural enamel. Veneers do not stain the way teeth do, and can last seven to 20 years or even longer. That's because porcelain is hard, strong, durable, translucent in an attractive, glass-like way, and highly resistant to chemical attack.
What Can Veneers Do?
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Change the color of badly stained teeth
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Cover minor cracks in teeth
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Restore chipped teeth
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Close minor to moderate spaces
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Correct minor bite problems
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Build up teeth that have been worn down by grinding habits
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Compensate for excessive gum tissue
What Can't Veneers Do?
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Take the place of orthodontics when teeth are badly out of position
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Attach to insufficient tooth structure
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Compensate for asymmetrical gum tissue
What Is the Process of Restoring Teeth with Veneers?
If your dentist determines you are a good candidate for veneers, you can expect the process to take about two to three visits (including the initial consultation) over one to three weeks depending on whether the dental laboratory is in-house or not. The best way for your dentist to begin the process of designing your new smile is to create a model of your teeth, and then use it to make a provisional set of veneers out of plastic. You can actually wear these for up to two weeks to see if you like the effect. Once you and your dentist agree on the form and the shade of your veneers, specifications are sent to a dental laboratory. There, skilled technicians will mix porcelain powder with water, form it around a mold of your teeth, and bake it in an oven. Several layers are built up to mimic the translucency of real enamel.
Before the veneer is bonded to the tooth, a small amount of the tooth's surface — 1 mm or less — is usually removed in a process known as reduction. This often requires local anesthetic. There is, however, a relatively new procedure requiring no tooth reduction, referred to as the no-drill or prepless porcelain veneer. While veneers are most effective with minimal reduction (also called minimal prep), prepless veneers have the advantage of being reversible. But they are not appropriate in all situations.
There is no substitute for your dentist's talent and expertise in the various
cosmetic techniques and materials. These skills — combined with a clear
understanding of your goals and a diagnosis based on a thorough
evaluation — are critical to assure the successful result of a beautiful smile.
How Do You Care for Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are strong enough to withstand normal flossing and
brushing with any non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste; they should be
cared for in the same manner as completely natural teeth. However,
porcelain is a glass and like all glass, veneers can shatter if bent. Within
reason, you can eat almost anything with veneers, but you wouldn't want
to crack nuts against them or chew on bones. And if you grind your teeth
at night, you may need to wear a night guard to protect your veneers.
Dear Doctor's Expert Advice
Selecting a cosmetic dentist for the creation of your new smile requires an ability to evaluate a dentist's ability, the years of experience, whether he stands behind his work, his personality, his philosophy of care as well as his training in the area of cosmetic dentistry. He/She should be able to provide you with many examples of before and after results of treatment to see the work he/she has performed for others. A study of his training in this area is something he should be proud of and very easily provide for your evaluation. The reason cosmetic dentistry requires a significant investment of dollars is related to the fact that the cosmetic dentist is creating a work of art that you will showcase for a very long time every time you smile. Research is important before making the selection of which cosmetic dentist should do this work for you.
Communication between you as the patient, your dentist and the laboratory technician are critical to the process of providing the best possible smile enhancements to meet your expectations. Research has shown that there are differences between individuals' perceptions and those of dental professionals regarding not only teeth but other factors affecting smiles and facial appearance.
The use of a special blueprint such as a “provisional restoration” is a useful tool to help envision potential changes before they are truly finalized to ensure the most aesthetic and functional result for achieving your vision. Now the person in the mirror really can be the true you. Every technique has limitations and that is why a talented and experienced cosmetic dentist is required to evaluate what material or restoration is best for your individual circumstance. Experience will allow him or her to determine whether or not porcelain veneers are the treatment of choice as porcelain veneers do have limitations.
Teeth Bonding (Repairing Chipped Teeth)
A composite restoration or “bonding” is an ideal material choice for a growing 16-year-old
Repairing Chipped Teeth
Q: My 16 year old son recently chipped his two front teeth when he went over the handle bars of his mountain bike. Our dentist fixed them by “bonding” some filling material to them. She said they might not last forever, but they look great — can you tell me more about them?
Your dentist placed “composite resin” restorations on your son's teeth to replace the missing tooth structure. These tooth-colored fillings are a mixture (a “composite”) of a plastic-based matrix with inorganic glass filler. A “coupling” or joining agent is used to enhance the bond between the two components. The glass filler gives the composite resin wear resistance and translucency for both strength and esthetics. The ratio of plastic matrix to glass filler in the composite resins can vary depending on the circumstance it's to be used for; biting areas will require more filler for strength, esthetic areas less. And, there are multiple types and brands.
Composite resins can be bonded to most healthy tooth structure. They are joined or bonded to the teeth mechanically through microscopic “undercuts” (or locks) in the natural tooth substance that allow the tooth enamel and composite resin to function and look like one piece. Direct composite materials have superior advantages to traditional materials like amalgam (silver filling): improved appearance, a more conservative preparation and greater use of the existing tooth to support the restoration.
Composites can be made in a wide range of tooth colors allowing for near perfect color matching with existing teeth — in artistic hands they can be made to look very natural and lifelike. Composites can be placed quite quickly and easily, and are relatively inexpensive. They require very little tooth preparation (drilling) of the healthy tooth structure since they can be bonded directly to the tooth.
Composites can be made in a wide range of tooth colors allowing for near perfect color matching with existing teeth — in artistic hands they can be made to look very natural and lifelike.
However, there are some disadvantages. The more tooth structure lost through injury or decay, the less effective they become because the material itself is not as strong as the tooth structure it replaces. Consequently, a large bulk of composite resin may not stand up to biting force over time. The composite can also stain and dull as it ages. However, it's a good interim material until a patient can receive a porcelain restoration, which could be a better long-term material selection.
Composite resins are also an ideal material choice for teens like your son because their dental arches (the upper and lower jaws) are still developing. The pulp chambers containing the nerves of his teeth are still probably quite large. By placing more permanent restorations like porcelain veneers or crowns that require more tooth structure removal, the long term health of his teeth might be compromised. After his teeth have fully developed, though, you might consider the more permanent restoration.
One other bit of advice from a dental professional: you might consider a custom mouthguard to protect his teeth from a similar injury as long as he's participating in high risk sports — ask your dentist.
Example 1: The patient had a chipped front tooth that is repaired beautifully with the use of a composite restoration or most commonly referred to as a bonded restoration.
Example 2: This patient had two chipped front teeth which is a more difficult restorative problem providing an excellent example of how a beautiful cosmetic result can be obtained with bonded restorations.
Example 3: This example illustrates how composite restorations can close spaces between teeth as well as repair the exposed root of the tooth.
Dental Implants
Your Best Option for Replacing Missing Teeth
Dental implants are modern dentistry's best option for replacing missing teeth. They offer a highly successful, long-lasting, and totally natural-looking substitute that actually becomes part of the jawbone and helps maintain its health. The reason is that the titanium of which dental implants are made has the unique ability to fuse or “osseo-inegrate” with living bone. This osteophilic (“osseo” – bone; “philic” – loving) property was discovered accidentally by a Swedish orthopedic surgeon in 1952. Much research and testing of potential medical uses followed, until the first dental implants became available for clinical use in the 1970s. Many improvements have been made since. There are now more than 40 different types of dental implants, and millions of people worldwide have a better quality of life because of them.
What is a Dental Implant?
In order to understand exactly what an implant is, you first have to picture a
natural tooth, which essentially has two main parts: 1. the crown, which is
the part you see in the mouth above the gum line, and 2. the root, which is
inside the bone. A dental or endosseous implant (“endo” – inside; “osseous” – bone)
replaces just the root part of the missing tooth. The implant is then topped by a
realistic-looking dental crown.
Can you describe the Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implant surgery is usually carried out under local anesthesia (numbing the
area where the implant is to be placed) and is a relatively comfortable procedure.
Some minor vibration is generally experienced during preparation of the
implant (bone) site, but it is quite tolerable. Since there are no open wounds
following implant surgery and it is minimally invasive, there is little post-operative
discomfort.
A single implant usually needs to be left for a period of two to four months to fuse
to the bone before a crown can be attached. The healing time depends upon the
bone density at the site of the lost tooth; the more dense the bone, the quicker the integration. Following successful integration, your dentist will make a crown to fit on the implant that will look and function exactly like a normal tooth.
In some implant procedures, the implant is inserted into the bone, covered with the gum tissue, and left to integrate or fuse to the bone. In this two-stage procedure, the implant is uncovered (stage two) and a small connector called an “abutment” is attached to the implant allowing the gum tissue to heal around it. Immediately or after a short healing period, a crown can be attached to the abutment. In a one-stage system, the implant is left exposed at surgery, slightly protruding through the gum tissue. Both of these systems have their merits and indications.
Am I a candidate for Dental Implants?
That's not something you can determine for yourself. You'll need to have a complete exam so that your dentist can see how much bone volume and density you have in the area of the missing tooth, since a certain amount of bone is needed to support an implant. But even if your bone is deficient, simple bone regeneration techniques that have been used successfully for years can usually improve the health of your tooth-supporting bone enough to make you a candidate for implants.
What are the Success Rates of Dental Implants?
Dental implants traditionally have a very high success rate. Documented research and clinical studies indicate success rates of over 95% — the highest of any tooth-replacement option. Even in areas of low bone density, success is quite common. Once integrated and functional, implant restorations can last a lifetime.
What are the Treatment Options for Dental Implants?
Dental implants can support a variety of dental restorations:
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Single tooth replacements: one implant and one crown replace a single tooth.
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Multiple tooth replacements: multiple missing teeth can be replaced with multiple implants supporting fixed bridgework. For example, a three-unit bridge to replace three teeth in a row will be comprised of two implants and three crowns; or multiple implants can support an even greater number of false teeth. Usually four to eight implants are needed to replace a full arch (jaw) of teeth (10 or more crowns) using fixed bridgework.
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Combinations of fixed and removable bridgework: implants support a section of fixed bridgework, to which a removable section is attached.
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Over-dentures: where two or more implants provide stabilization of a denture (set of removable false teeth). Over-dentures are now considered the standard of care for those who have lost all of their teeth in one or both jaws.
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Anchorage for tooth movement (orthodontics): temporary implants can serve as very stable anchor units for orthodontic devices to allow quicker and easier tooth movement.
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Temporary bridgework: micro-mini implants can be used to support bridgework temporarily while permanent implants are healing so that at no time will a person be without teeth.
What Care is Needed Following Dental Implant Placement?
The good news is that dental implants require no more attention than your natural teeth — except they will never decay or have any root canal problems. The only real concern is gum disease or too much stress applied to the implants through clenching or bruxing (teeth grinding) habits.
Avoiding gum disease requires flossing and brushing your teeth on a daily basis, along with regular professional cleanings every three or four months to keep the gum tissues surrounding your implants healthy.
If you have a grinding or clenching habit, you should wear a nightguard to protect your implants and your investment.
Other than that, your dentist will exam your implants periodically to make sure everything is healthy and stable and will last a very long time.
How Does General Health Influence Dental Implants?
Certain health conditions and habits can have a bearing on the success of dental implants. For example, if you have uncontrolled diabetes, your ability to heal in general will be adversely affected. This in turn affects the osseo-integration process by which your dental implants attach to your bone tissue. Smoking reduces blood supply for healing, so surgical healing in general is less than optimal in a smoker (though smoking does not disqualify you from receiving implants). The osteoporosis drug Fosamax, if taken for more than three years, can compromise bone healing. Osteoporosis itself can affect bone density, making it difficult for implants to be strong enough to handle the normal functional stresses associated with biting and chewing, for example.
What Causes Dental Implants to Fail?
Although it is rare, an implant can fail to fuse to the bone properly or it can come loose from it for a variety of reasons. Failure to remove food particles and plaque from the gums near the implant on a daily basis can lead to a bacterial infection known as peri-implantitis (“peri” – around; “implantitis” – inflammation of the tissues surrounding implants). This infection can destroy bone and loosen the implant. Sometimes it's the number of implants that's at fault: too few implants are placed to handle too much stress — a situation known as overload. Sometimes an implant-supported tooth can stick up a little higher than the other teeth, meaning it will be subject to more biting and chewing force. This is why it's so important to choose a qualified professional to install your implants.
Can Periodontal (Gum) Disease Influence Dental Implants?
As with peri-implantitis, gum disease is a bacterial infection that can result in bone loss. And continued bone loss can cause implants to fail. You may be more susceptible to gum disease if you are diabetic, pregnant or taking birth control pills.
Whom Should I See For Dental Implants?
Implants are normally placed by dental surgical specialists (periodontists and oral surgeons) or general dentists who have undertaken special training in implantology.
Your general dentist is the place to start. Some general dentists have more knowledge than others in the field of implant dentistry, depending on their individual interests, knowledge and expertise. If he or she does not have sufficient expertise or training, you will be referred to a surgical specialist to place the implants and your general dentist will place the crowns that will go on top of the dental implants. This exemplifies the concept of a team approach to restoring your health.
Dental Implants
Clear Orthodontic Aligners
Q : I am a 31-year old woman. My husband, 35, is using clear aligners to have his teeth straightened because he didn't want braces. Will they work for me too?
Clear Orthodontic Aligners
S// Great question! Clear aligners are an alternative system to traditional braces that use a sequence of individual clear, removable “trays” to gradually straighten teeth. The alignment is accomplished with a series of trays each made of clear almost invisible plastic that completely cover the teeth; each tray is slightly different, and when worn for 20 hours a day for two weeks before going on to the next set in the series, will move the teeth into an improved position. The trays are computer-generated based on proper records and diagnosis of your specific situation. Results can vary widely depending on the skill and experience of the orthodontist or dentist, as well as the patient's compliance with continually wearing them.
Total treatment time can range from six months to two years. When treatment is well-planned, clear aligners can successfully realign or straighten teeth, close mild spaces, treat elongated teeth and tip teeth into better position. Generally speaking, clear aligners should only be used for adults instead of children. Many adults like your husband prefer this system since the trays can be removed for important social events and occasions.
Orthodontics using clear aligners is not for everyone and its application will depend on your particular situation. The first step is a proper “orthodontic” diagnosis or assessment of your individual situation. This assessment should be performed by an orthodontist or a dentist with advanced training and experience in orthodontics.
Clear aligners are an alternative system to traditional braces that use a sequence of individual clear, removable “trays” to gradually straighten teeth.
The assessment will consist of appropriate and specialized radiographs (x-rays) of the teeth, jaws and skull, along with photos and impressions, to make models of your bite. All this information is used to determine if orthodontics using clear aligners is right for you. The primary factor in deciding whether you can use the system will depend on whether your teeth can be moved without compromising your overall dental heath.
When clear aligners work
The system is usually recommended for correcting mild to moderate crowding or spacing of teeth. It's ideal if you have a good “bite” — meaning your back teeth already fit together properly. With a good bite, biting forces distribute evenly on all of your teeth, which also protects the health of the supporting periodontal structures, the gums and bone. With a bad bite, forces are uneven, creating uneven wear and instability of the tooth position.
If clear aligners are improperly planned, bite problems can develop. Another side effect (not unique to this system) involves cases where “recession” (shrinking of the gums) can occur by tipping teeth too far out of the bone in an attempt to make them straight. There are other cases where the back teeth don't fit together properly after inadequate treatment planning. Again, problems can occur with any orthodontic treatment if it is not planned and/or applied correctly.
Smile with traditional braces
Smile with clear braces
Smile with Invisalign® aligners
When clear aligners may not be right for you
For some moderate to severe crowding or spacing, or more complex cases, this system may not be the treatment of choice. Traditional braces may be necessary in cases where the bite is really off such as when the teeth in the upper and lower jaws don't meet well, creating too much overbite or even under bite. An underlying skeletal discrepancy (the jawbones don't line up properly) may also indicate that braces may be the better treatment option.
That being said, assessing a “malocclusion” (poor tooth or bite alignment) is complex and must be fully understood in order to choose the right treatment option. There are several movements that are difficult and less predictable with removable clear aligners, like closing extraction spaces, uprighting teeth, opening severe deep bites, rotating, torquing or other more complex movements requiring more sophisticated techniques. These movements are easily accomplished with traditional braces; however, with careful treatment planning and “staging” of clear aligners, experienced practitioners can successfully accomplish many of these finishing movements.
Generally speaking, clear aligners should only be used for adults instead of children
Orthodontics with clear aligners is not a one-size or one-price-fits-all treatment. Ultimately, the final results depend heavily on who treats you — which may vary from one doctor to another. In reality, orthodontic treatment is art as well as science. Treatment planning cases and moving the teeth efficiently and realistically is based on careful and proper diagnosis and experience. Another factor with clear aligners is that some systems are not using computer generated movements and are poor imitations of the most recognized, state-of-the-art clear orthodontic aligning system used in dentistry today. Ask your dentist about which system is recommended.
How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist
Selecting the right cosmetic dentist is crucial to achieving the results you desire
How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist
Selecting the right cosmetic dentist is crucial to achieving the results you desire. Keep in mind that cosmetic dentistry is not an officially recognized specialty within dentistry, so any dentist can legally refer to themselves as a cosmetic dentist. But while every dentist is taught how to do various procedures within the realm of cosmetic dentistry, the ability to achieve a high level of expertise requires extensive study and training, which can take many years.
Ask For Referrals
If any friends or members of your family have had good cosmetic dental treatment, ask them for a referral. You can then check out the doctor's website, talk to the office, or even go in for a preliminary consultation. Ask other dental professionals you know whom they would recommend.
View Their Work
Most dentists who perform cosmetic dental procedures are proud of
their work and eager to document it with before-and-after photos.
You can usually view these pictures online or see them in an album
at the dentist's office. One caveat: commercially produced
before-and-after examples do exist, so make sure that the photos
you are being shown represent actual patients of the dentist you are
considering.
Check Credentials
Even if a particular dentist comes highly recommended and shows you beautiful photographs, you will want to make sure he or she is qualified. Check online to see where your prospective cosmetic dentists went to school, what continuing education courses were completed, and what professional organizations they belong to. Keep in mind that the most highly qualified cosmetic dentists are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Why Select an AACD Member Dentist?
Members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry are offered education and training on the latest procedures, techniques, and products through AACD publications, lectures, and workshops. AACD member professionals stay one step ahead of their peers by keeping informed on trends and learning how the latest products and technology benefit the patient. They also support not only responsible aesthetics but also systemic oral health. By selecting an AACD member dentist, you know your dental professional cares enough to stay in the forefront of the cosmetic dentistry field, so you receive the most up-to-date and best care available. AACD Accredited members have an even higher level of expertise. Find an AACD Cosmetic Dentist.
The AACD Accreditation Process
To achieve AACD Accreditation, a dental professional must complete a written examination, document five specific types of clinical cases, participate in continuing education classes, and pass a final oral examination. Once a dentist or a laboratory technician has achieved AACD Accreditation, he or she is expected to stay on top of industry trends and technology, bringing patients the best care available.
Make a List
It's important to determine what you want to change about your smile before you have your first consultation with a cosmetic dentist. Take a good look and compile a list. That way, when you do choose your cosmetic dentist, you will be ready to present your wish list and compare it to the dentist's own proposals.
Communicate What You Want
A person's own perception of what looks good is an important factor in achieving a satisfying result when it comes to smile enhancement. The art of “making smiles” lies in a dentist's ability to integrate the individual's personal perceptions of what is important with the dentist's own scientific and anatomical knowledge as it applies to smile design. With a professionally trained and experienced eye, your dentist will actually see more dental possibilities than you do. It is therefore his or her responsibility to educate you so that you're better able to make your own personal choices. At the same time, you must have confidence and trust that your dentist hears what you're saying about what you want to look like.
Dear Doctor's Expert Advice
In summary, then, selecting a cosmetic dentist to create your new smile requires you to evaluate a dentist's ability, years of experience, previous work, personality, philosophy of care, and training in the area of cosmetic dentistry. He/She should be able to provide you with many before-and-after examples so you can to see the work he/she has performed for others. If you can't access credentials of a particular dentist online, he/she should be proud to submit this information for your evaluation. And remember that the reason cosmetic dentistry requires a significant financial investment is that a highly trained professional is creating a work of art that you will showcase every time you smile for years to come. Research and a sense of trust are important in making the selection of which cosmetic dentist should do this work for you.