Although an aesthetic dentist is seen as a distinct departure from a general dentist, both can hold the same credentials and yet have different titles. This makes it incredibly difficult to find a competent professional. Some may have received minor additional training in cosmetic procedures, while others may have a more extensive background and also be accredited by organizations like the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Since this is a very lucrative field to enter into, you will naturally find some inept dentists who are doing nothing more than chasing after profits.

Making an appointment for an oral assessment is your best tool in finding a worthy cosmetic dentist. Any dentist that immediately insists you need x,y, and z done without any input from you obviously has a hidden agenda. The dentist’s job is to take an objective point of view about your oral health concerns and help you come to an agreeable course of treatment. Your appointment should not feel like a sales pitch. The cosmetic dentist should also take time to discuss the pros and cons of various treatments. If you were a good candidate for veneers, for instance, the practitioner might mention that they are excellent for tooth chips, gaps, overcrowding, and whatnot but at the same time should not overlook the life-time expense and commitment factors. You may decide that spending thousands of dollars to have your smile redone every 10 years is not for you. Furthermore, you may find that a simple round of orthodontics will get your teeth into fine looking shape.

Despite a cosmetic dentist’s best intentions, some patients may be disappointed with the final results. In most instances, such patients had unrealistic expectations going into treatment. If the dentist tells you that a porcelain veneer would be most ideal for correcting your undersized lateral incisors, and you instead choose to get tooth bonding done with unsatisfactory results, it’s obvious who’s at fault. In some cases, the cheaper treatment doesn’t always yield comparable results to alternatives. This doesn’t mean that prices for cosmetic dentistry procedures are indicative of good treatment outcomes, however. Tooth bonding in particular can cause color matching issues especially in the front teeth. The bottom line is that a good dentist and a clear line of communication are the key factors to successful treatment outcomes.