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Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on how your teeth look.

This can include teeth whitening, shaping, closing spaces, and replacing teeth, also called dental implants. If you would like your teeth to be more aesthetically pleasing, it may be worth working with a San Diego cosmetic dentist.

Choose one who is professional, skilled, and able to meet your needs.

Selecting Cosmetic Dentistry

Consider cosmetic dentistry if you dislike how your teeth or smile appear. While cosmetic dentists can fill cavities and do other basic dental procedures, their main focus is on how your teeth look.

If you have serious health or functional issues related to your teeth, don’t start with cosmetic dentistry.

Learn more about cosmetic dentistry to see if it’s right for you. In addition to whitening, cosmetic dentists use a variety of techniques to produce an even, white smile:

• Bonding involves applying tooth-colored resins to your teeth to fill in chips or excess spaces and to cover stains.
• Veneers are porcelain or composite covers that last longer than bonding and cost less than crowns. They also improve the appearance of chipped, stained, or misshapen teeth and create a perfect smile offering the same contour, shape, and color. The dentist will take an impression of your tooth and then have a custom veneer made in a laboratory.
• Crowns cover an entire tooth. In addition to cosmetic improvement, crowns are used to restore or protect a broken or weak tooth and in order to stabilize large fillings.
• Implants replace the root of a tooth by fusing to the jawbone. Then, the implant will require a crown similar to the natural tooth. This is a surgical procedure which must be done by a professional Dentist in San Diego.
• Inlays/Onlays are indirect fillings made from porcelain or other composite materials used to treat tooth decay or structural damage. They are created in a dental laboratory and then fitted and bonded to the damaged tooth.
• Smile makeovers involve one or more cosmetic treatments, such as dental implants, dental veneers, teeth whitening to improve the overall appearance of your mouth.
• Full mouth reconstruction is needed to correct functional problems of your teeth, muscles, bite and bone structure.

Investigate at-home treatment options. If whitening your teeth is your main concern, you can start by trying at-home treatments, which may be significantly less expensive than professional whitening.

Purchase whitening toothpaste, strips, or brush-on formulas from the drug store.

However, before you use a kit with a strong bleaching agent such as peroxide, you should check with your regular dentist to be sure that there isn’t an underlying issue such as decay or disease, such as hypomineralization of the enamel, that should be addressed first.

Assess whether an orthodontist would be a better choice. Cosmetic dentists can address uneven teeth using veneers and reshaping.

However, if you have seriously misaligned teeth, you may do better with an orthodontist who can straighten teeth with braces. If you are not sure, consult with both a cosmetic dentist and an orthodontist and compare their answers.

Finding a Cosmetic Dentist

Ask your regular dentist. He may be able to undertake some basic cosmetic procedures himself.

Also, he should be able to refer you to specific recommended cosmetic dentists. Even if your dentist offers to do a cosmetic procedure, don’t hesitate to get a second opinion from a dentist whose practice focuses on cosmetic dentistry before making a final decision.

Search for a cosmetic dentist through the state or national associations. The American Dental Association has state and local organizations that maintain lists of dentists by specialty, for example.

Cross-check with your state’s licensing body to assure yourself that your prospective dentist in good standing.

Choose an accredited cosmetic dentist. Accreditation requires further education and demonstration of knowledge and clinical experience.

The qualifications for being accredited will vary depending on your location, but your dentist should be a member of a major national organization, such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

Such organizations may allow you to search their members.

Contact your local dental school. Dental training programs often offer low-cost services to residents to allow their students to practice their skills under the supervision of experienced dentists.

Meeting a Prospective Cosmetic Dentist

Plan to meet with at least two cosmetic dentists. You want to be able to compare approaches, prices, and overall impressions. While one dentist might be a very compelling salesperson, another dentist might be able to address your major concerns with a less complicated or expensive approach.

A consultation does not commit you to working with a dentist.

Pay attention to the surroundings as well as to the dentist herself. The waiting room and office should be clean and pleasant, and the dentist’s staff should be professional and courteous.

Ask the dentist about her preferred methods. Whitening can be done through one or two longer in-office visits, or using an at-home process that takes about a month, for example.

Which method does the dentist prefer? If she uses both approaches, how does she advise her patients on selecting one?

Ask for references and before-and-after photographs. A good cosmetic dentist should be happy to let you see and speak with his satisfied clients. Ask references about the quality of the care they received as well as the results.

Ask for proof of accreditation, licensing, and continuing education. Cosmetic dentistry is a constantly-evolving field. You want to choose a dentist who is up-to-date on new methods and trends, as well as in good standing in her state and professional organizations.

Inquire about the long-term prognosis. Not all cosmetic dentistry procedures provide permanent solutions. For instance, whitening will be affected by the food and drink you subsequently consume.

Dental bonding, although quicker and less expensive than veneers, may stain, chip, or break. Ask the dentist about how long the effects of whitening or other treatments can be expected to last.

Talk about money and logistics. The prospective dentist should be willing to offer a detailed list of fees and an estimate of what his recommended treatments will cost you.

He should also be open to the availability of appointments and the likely length of the course of treatment.

Check the payment options. Since the insurance plans do not cover most of the cosmetic dental treatments, check whether the dentist offers flexible payment options or not.

What critical knowledge and know how is necessary when searching for cosmetic dental treatments? What should you expect from a dentist who claims to deliver above-average dentistry?

Here is a guide to finding a dentist who will provide you with that “Hollywood Smile” that is both natural and affordable. Find out what differentiates a good dentist from a perfectionist cosmetic dentist and what the telltale signs are that you need to look out for.

Begin by Googling or use your browser to search for the following ” Cosmetic Dental Makeovers cost of Dental Crowns, caps or veneers.”

This will produce a short list of specialists in this field that have targeted this specific kind of Dentistry and will often offer to price up front as well as many before and after photographs (imperative that they are clear and concise).

Peruse the photographs online, and quantity of, what clinical work appeals to you that is offered online by the various dentists, Any advanced and diligent cosmetic dental practice Will have detailed work that they are proud of and Happy to share with the public.

Make a list numbering 5 to 7 Dentists and the order of their work that you preferred, this process may appear tedious but is worth every minute spent gauging the professionalism and commitment to their business and ethos in their work.

Call each of the 5 to 7 dentists and gauge the receptionist, her interest in your case, her willingness to offer you pricing will indicate the pricing levels they offer and how Important your business is to them.

Practice not wanting to quote upfront is more than likely very overpriced and market themselves to you once they have you in their dental chair.

Find out if the crown, caps or veneers they are offering are specialized product made in a dental lab to suit your specific coloring depth and hue or if the crown is a quick one hour CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design and manufacture) dental crown that will not be an exact match for the natural coloring of your other teeth.

This is critical information, and the results are greatly different. You do not want a solid one color crown; you want a cap or crown to match your tooth color exactly.

Inquire if the dentist will meet you at the dental lab itself for a one on one free color consult with the lab directly, this is critical for cosmetic dental cases where you have teeth that are visible in your smile line and a prerequisite for any Dentist that is a perfectionist in his field, This will differentiate an average dentist to a dentist seeking a cosmetic dental makeover that is exceptional and natural, some cosmetic dentists have In-house dental labs.

Once you have shortlisted 2 or 3 Dentists, call again and inquire about the emergency contact telephone number of the dentist for their after-hours contact number, this will greatly differentiate the good dentist from the brilliant.

Any Cosmetic Dentist worth any weight of gold will be available seven days a week for emergencies. Call on a Saturday night and make actual contact with the dentist.

This will be your guy or lady; this is the dentist who will be with you for the entire journey as they avail themselves seven days a week to their profession, they would have proven their creativity, their pricing and their commitment to their work.

Important note for patients over 40 years old that the receptionist request you bring in old photos with you for the cosmetic dentist on how your Smile line has changed through the years and a glimpse to what yours would like your smile line to return to.

DO not take a cosmetic dentist seriously should he not request old photos.

Inquire as to how many Dental Implants the dentist has performed – a long-standing reputable dentist should have at least 3-4000 implants performed with excellent history. 

How to Find Affordable Dental Treatment

Dental treatments are usually quite expensive and costly. It is therefore important to undertake thorough research before approaching any specific dentist or clinic so that you can make a wise and well-informed decision. Look for various alternative dental treatments that are effective, as well as easy on the pocket.

Visit regularly. Regular and effective dental treatments are extremely significant to ensure the overall health of teeth and gums.

One of the biggest concerns for people is the discoloration of their teeth. This occurs primarily for some reasons like increased consumption of alcohol, smoking habits, and caffeine intake. Make sure that you visit your dentist at regular intervals of time.

Browse through the yellow pages. Various dentists and dental clinics tend to get themselves listed in various directories and yellow pages. You’ll find treatments, hours of services and their contact details.

Look for your dentist’s online presence via his or her official website. Such websites are designed in such a manner to enable you to know what various treatment procedures there are, such as dental implants, tooth whitening, gum treatments and various types of cosmetic dentistry services.

The websites tend to highlight various costs of services provided.

Ask for suggestions from friends and acquaintances to find suitable dental treatment clinics and most competent and adept dentists to make sure that the procedure is conducted in the best possible manner.

Check medical colleges and institutions that tend to provide free dental check-ups. You can make use of these services to find about your specific dental problems.

This can also guide you to locate a suitable dentist who may be specialized in the treatment you need.

Make sure that the dental clinic so selected is one-stop that provides effective treatment procedures regarding tooth extraction, root canal treatments, dental implants, veneers and orthodontic braces.

Check the cleanliness and hygiene to make sure that all treatment procedures are conducted healthily. The dentist or orthodontic clinic should make adequate arrangements for various X-rays, fillings, and cleanings to ensure the best of treatment procedures for you.

Be aware that what treatment procedures are covered by your insurance policy and what is ruled out to ensure necessary savings for the treatment.

If you are traveling abroad for dental treatment, ask for references and check them out before making up your mind. Talk to people who have had treatment some years ago, not last week. You want your dental treatment to stand the test of time.

Remember, price alone should never be the deciding factor in choosing a dentist. Poor quality artistry will be more expensive in the long run.

What are the Cosmetic Dentistry Benefits?

Getting the smile you desire brings more confidence and happiness. It also delivers added benefits. Here are the top health benefits cosmetic dentistry provides:

The motivation for better dental hygiene. When you invest in improving your smile, you are motivated to maintain your results.

You look for ways to change your eating and drinking habits to avoid foods and drinks that will darken or stain your teeth. And as a result of avoiding these foods – sodas, coffee, junk foods, and cigarettes – you’ll improve your overall health.

Headache relief. Misaligned teeth can cause severe problems. In fact, any bite that isn’t normal can cause you headaches and tooth pain.

Crooked teeth put pressure on your gum and nerves, sending pain to your head. Cosmetic dentistry or dental appliances fix this problem, giving you relief.

Improve your appetite. Teeth that are cracked decayed, missing or misaligned make it difficult to chew. Having these problems corrected makes eating pleasurable again.

Reduce risk of periodontal disease. If your teeth are chipped, cracked, or damaged, they are more vulnerable to decay. And this increases your risk for more serious problems like periodontal disease.

Fixing problem teeth reduces your risk of gum disease and other oral health concerns.

Less stress. We’ve heard the first impression is a lasting impression and begins with a healthy, beautiful smile. If you’re unhappy with your smile, you may shy away from social interactions, or become stressed when faced with interacting with others. So improving your smile increases your confidence and happiness, and therefore reduces your overall stress.

Don’t let just anyone try their hand at improving your smile.

While cosmetic dentistry did correctly is safe, effective, and long-lasting, when performed incorrectly, any dental procedure can cause problems. Be bold about interviewing your dentist. Some dentists offer a free cosmetic consultation so that you can meet and discuss your expectations.

Once you find a Clairemont dentist that meets most of your criteria, proceed with an exam and listen to his or her treatment plan. Discuss financing and scheduling.

Make sure you feel comfortable and confident in the dentist’s office. A beautiful, strong, comfortable smile that’s built to last can improve your self-confidence and open doors of opportunity you never knew existed.