When you hear the words “cosmetic dentist,” what does that really mean? Most people assume that if a dentist offers cosmetic dentistry, they must be specially trained in it. And while many dentists provide cosmetic services as part of their practice, there is a significant difference between a dentist offering cosmetic dentistry and dentist who has advanced training and experience in cosmetic dentistry. And when you are trusting someone with your smile, that difference matters.
Cosmetic dentistry is not simply about making teeth whiter or putting veneers on them. Creating a beautiful smile requires an understanding of facial aesthetics, tooth proportions, symmetry, color, shape, gum position, bite, and function. All these things have to work together. So how can you know if the dentist you are considering is truly qualified to provide advanced cosmetic dentistry? There are several important things to look for.
Look beyond the words, “Cosmetic Dentist.”
One confusing thing is that the term “cosmetic dentist” can mean different things to different dentists. A general dentist may provide cosmetic procedures as part of a broad range of services, and that can be perfectly appropriate for some patients. But if you are considering a smile makeover or complex cosmetic treatment, you should understand the dentist’s level of education and experience in this specific area. So, make sure you ask them about their training in cosmetic dentistry.
Where did they receive their additional education? How much continuing education have they completed? How much of their practice involves cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry? You do not need to understand every credential or certification. You simply need to understand whether the dentist has made cosmetic dentistry a significant area of their advanced education and experience.
Look at the dentist’s work
This may be one of the most important things you can do. Ask to see actual before-and-after cases of THEIR patients. Not stock photographs. Not pictures from a dental laboratory. Look at the dentist’s own patients. Hopefully, they have numerous examples of their smile makeovers on their website. If they do, make sure you look through them and decide if this is the level of cosmetics that will make you happy. And do not just look at whether the teeth are straight and white. Look at the entire smile. Do the teeth look natural? Are they the right size and shape for the person’s face? Do they complement the lips and gums? Do they look too bulky or too uniform? Most importantly, ask yourself: “Would I want a smile like this?” Even the quality of the photographs will show you the level of expertise that an advanced cosmetic dentist has and their level of artistry in cosmetic dentistry. A beautiful cosmetic result should not look artificial. The goal is not for someone to notice that you had cosmetic dentistry. The goal is for them to notice that you have a beautiful and natural-looking smile.
How is your smile being designed?
This is where cosmetic dentistry becomes much more than simply changing teeth. Your smile should be designed around you. Your facial proportions, lips, gums, tooth display, age, personality, and the way you naturally smile all play a role in determining what will look right. There is no single smile that looks perfect on everyone. A smile that looks beautiful on one person may look completely wrong on another. We take everything into consideration when designing a person’s smile even including gender and facial complexion. This is why an experienced cosmetic dentist spends time evaluating the entire face and understanding what the patient wants to accomplish before deciding what treatment is appropriate.
Do not forget about your bite
This is an area that is often overlooked by patients who are primarily concerned with appearance. Your teeth do not just need to look good; they need to function properly as well. When significant cosmetic dentistry is being performed, the dentist should understand how your teeth come together, how your jaw functions, and how your new restorations will work together. This becomes especially important when someone has worn-down teeth, broken teeth, extensive previous dental work, missing teeth, or a bite that has changed over time. A beautiful smile that does not function properly is not a successful cosmetic result. The goal should be to create something that is beautiful, healthy, comfortable, and functional.
Gwen: Before and After
Experience Matters
There is a tremendous difference between doing an occasional veneer and regularly treating complex smile makeovers and full-mouth restorative cases. The more complex the case, the more important experience becomes. If your smile involves worn-down teeth, multiple restorations, uneven gum levels, missing teeth, bite problems, or extensive previous dental work, you want someone who understands how all these factors fit together. The most beautiful cosmetic cases are often the ones where the dentist must look beyond the obvious problem to understand what is really happening.
Choosing a cosmetic dentist does not have to be difficult. You do not have to know everything about dentistry. You simply need to ask the right questions. What many do not realize is that exceptional cosmetic dentistry is both a science and an art. It requires the ability to understand not only teeth, but how those teeth fit into the face, the bite, and the overall function of the mouth.
Ask questions. Look at the results. Learn about the dentist’s education and experience. Because when you are changing your smile, you are not just choosing someone to change your teeth. You are choosing someone to design something that becomes a part of your face, your appearance, and your confidence every single day. Your smile deserves more than someone who simply offers cosmetic dentistry. It deserves someone who is an expert in cosmetic dentistry.
Dentally Speaking by Jeffrey S Haddad D.D.S. Originally published in Community Lifestyles.
