I have been fed up with my smile for years and am trying to figure out how to find the best dentist. The biggest problem I have is that my front teeth are oddly shaped. They are also shorter than the others and turned slightly.
When I considered getting something done about them before, I was told that I was a porcelain veneers candidate. But, my dentist didn’t seem like he was that confidant that he could fix them. The photos he showed me weren’t the best either.
It would be nice to find the same dentist that I can see to fix my smile and for my regular dental checkups moving forward.
Do you have any tips about how to find the best dentist to do porcelain veneers? Or, do you recommend staying with my current dentist since he’s the most familiar with my teeth.
-Jim in Kansas
Hi Jim,
You are asking the right questions. It is wise to explore your options when considering porcelain veneers to fix your smile.
The fact is that not every dentist does beautiful cosmetic dentistry. If your current dentist didn’t wow you with his before and after images, it’s wise to keep looking.
An expert cosmetic dentist will be passionate about creating a beautiful smile and think of it like an art. Statistically speaking, less than two percent of dentists have the skill level to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. It takes extensive training beyond dental school and years of experience. Most great cosmetic dentists will also have a stunning portfolio to share with you of cases similar to yours.
Also, many cosmetic dentists will continue seeing you for your regular checkups and exams. So, it sounds like it’s time to start looking at the options in your area.
A good way to check out a potential cosmetic dentist is to see if they have a smile gallery on their website. You will be able to get an idea if he or she is proud of their work.
Another thing to check online or ask about when you call, is something called a beautiful smile guarantee. Different dentists call it different things. Essentially, many expert cosmetic dentists will build several opportunities into their smile design process, which will allow you to see exactly what your new smile will look like. Some practices use digital images, along with temporary veneers so you can see how they look and feel. If at anytime during the process you don’t love what you see, they will send it back to the lab until they are perfect.
Once you have found a few cosmetic dentist that you are interested in, call in and schedule a consultation. Often times this session will be complimentary. It will be informal, yet it gives you a few minutes to check out their practice, meet the staff and ask the dentist a few questions.
When you have made the decision to move forward, you’ll have a more extensive time where you meet with the dentist to talk about your smile design. Porcelain veneers can be customized to match your personality, competition and facial features, so that it looks both natural and beautiful.
It is worth mentioning that even though your dentist said you were a porcelain veneers candidate, the cosmetic dentist you choose may have other recommendations. For example, you mention that your front teeth are turned in. So, there may be some other things that need to be done prior to placing the porcelain veneers.
If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be to go in with an open mind. Don’t tell a cosmetic dentist that you want a certain treatment. Listen to their recommendations and experiences with cases similar to yours. Together, you will be able to come up with a plan to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. It’s all about trust when selecting the best cosmetic dentist for your needs.
Thank you for your question. Hopefully, this information was helpful as you continue your smile makeover journey.
This post is sponsored by an excellent cosmetic dentist in Barrington, James T. Gavrillos.