Table of Contents
Dental veneers
Dental veneers, also called porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells, made of porcelain or resin-composite material, permanently attached to a person’s front teeth to improve their smile and general appearance. They resist stains and mimic the light reflecting the property of natural teeth, thereby changing their color, size, shape and/or length. Dental veneers are used to fix a number of teeth problems such as discoloration, misalignments, and chipping teeth with gaps between them. A variety of dental veneer options exist and you can talk to your dentist to find out which Everett veneers are best suited for you. It’s therefore important that you know how to find and vet an experienced, skilled and professional dentist who can meet your needs.
Choosing Cosmetic Dentistry
A typical cosmetic dentist is skilled enough to perform basic dental procedures such as filling cavities but their main strength lies in making teeth look better. If you dislike the appearance of your teeth or smile, a cosmetic dentist is the right specialist. Otherwise, if you have serious functional and health issues related to your teeth, a cosmetic dentist would be the wrong choice. Dental veneers are a permanent solution thus you can explore home treatment options like whitening pastes and strips before considering a full-on procedure.
If you decide to go ahead with the treatment, you should learn as much as you can about the different procedures available with cosmetic dentistry. This will help you make better choices regarding which specific technique you feel is suitable. Examples of available techniques include bonding, veneers, crowning, implants, inlays/onlays, smile makeovers, and full mouth reconstruction. Furthermore, depending on the problem, an orthodontist provides a more appropriate solution.
Locating a Dentist
The best way to find a good dentist would be to ask for references from your general practitioner. If you already have a dentist, you can still look around to get a second opinion. State and national associations are also great sources to find good dentists. The American Dental Association (ADA) has numerous state and local branches where lists of dentists and their specialties are maintained. It’s advisable to cross-check the dentist’s name with the state’s licensing body to ensure that they are competent. Accreditation requires further studies, a demonstration of critical knowledge and outstanding clinical experience. The dentist should be certified and must be a member of a national organization.
Meeting the Prospective Dentist
Dentists differ in many ways. One might be a great salesperson while the other might be able to address your concerns using less expensive approaches. You want to be able to compare prices, approaches and overall impressions of at least two dentists before making a decision. Consulting with one does not commit the patient to work with them. Visit them at their places of work. This gives you a chance to pay attention to the working environment, the staff and the dentist themselves.
Talk to the dentist about their preferred methods. You can ask for references of patients who have had some work done on their teeth, as well as before and after photographs of their work. A confident dentist would be happy to show their work. This would be a good opportunity to ask for those accreditations, licenses, and continuing education. The field of cosmetic dentistry constantly evolves, and you want a dentist that is up-to-date on new methods of treatment.