AESTHETIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Beverly Rose

Choosing A Cosmetic Dentist: Get the smile you’ve always dreamed about.

Most people do not realize that aesthetic dentistry (cosmetic dentistry) is not a recognized specialty like Periodontics and Orthodontics. This is because all dentists are expected to be concerned about the aesthetic appearance of their work when they have completed any dental procedure for a patient.

However, there are institutions and college courses devoted solely to the art and science of aesthetic dentistry. This training may cost the doctor tens of thousands of additional dollars and take several years to complete beyond achieving a doctorate of dentistry program. It’s important that you know the level of training and experience your dentist has in this area before receiving cosmetic dental procedures.

A SMILE MAKEOVER is the process of improving the appearance of the smile through one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as dental veneers, composite bonding, dental implants and teeth whitening.

Training
Start by ensuring that whoever is doing your treatment has specific training in aesthetic dentistry either at the university level or through continued education courses. Your dentist should have several years of aesthetic dental courses beyond dental school and should continue their aesthetics education every year. Most institutes will provide a specific curriculum of the courses completed by the doctor.

Consultation
Once you find a dentist who interests you, make an appointment for a consultation. While there, look at the dentist’s and the staff’s teeth. Have they had the procedures they are recommending for you done to themselves? If so, ask who did it. Is it the quality you are looking for? Also, ask to see the photo album of the dentist’s own ‘before’ and ‘after’ cases. Be sure that it contains only the work they have done and are not stock photographs or simulations. Ask for patient referrals and call these referrals. Ask what they had done. Ask how their procedure went. Were they comfortable during the treatment? Are they happy with the end result?

BEFORE WHITENING: While traditional dentistry focuses on oral hygiene and preventing, diagnosing and treating oral disease, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of a person’s teeth, mouth and smile.

ATER WHITENING

Exam
During the records appointment, the dentist should personally do a comprehensive examination of your teeth. He or she should view x-rays, discuss any discomfort you may be experiencing and ask you pertinent questions about what you would like to change about your smile or bite. They should then give you several treatment options to enhance or repair your smile.

Laboratory
Ask what laboratory ceramist and materials the dentist uses to make veneers. Laboratories and material can also be researched. Your dentist should have no problem helping you to get personal validation that they use an excellent lab and materials. Do some online research about the laboratory and the materials the doctor will be using. There are differences in the quality of crowns and veneers. You want your end result to look as natural as possible.

When it comes to cosmetic dental procedures, do your homework. Go online and research the doctors in your area, the procedure and the materials. You will find a plethora of information. Make consultation appointments (most are complimentary). Once in the office, is the team friendly? Do you like the doctor? Have they answered all of your questions? Then, choose wisely.

Dr. Rose received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida and her dental degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry.  She has had extensive post-doctoral training in cosmetic and neuro-muscular dentistry and is a strong advocate of continuing education.  Dr. Rose has been in private practice in Brevard County, Florida for more than 10 years and can be reached at 321-259-4666 or log on to BeverlyRosedMD.com

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