Something to Know About Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry is the term that collectively indicates dental work to improve the appearance of teeth; here aesthetics and cosmetics combine to provide results. There are two kinds of dental specialties that focus predominantly on the teeth; specialist dentist fall into the categories of Orthodontists and Prosthodontists.In the US, formally trained specialists are expected to undergo a 2-3 year education program after graduating from dental school to receive board certification that has been approved by the American Dental Association. The full-time rigorous programme covers the specialties as follows:• Orthodontics
• ProsthodonticsNon-specialist dentists with other kinds of supplemental education are not granted approval by the American Dental Association.Cosmetic DentistsMany dentists have started the trend of calling themselves 'cosmetic dentists' regardless of their qualifications, specialty, experience or training in the field. In the medical field, this practice is considered unethical and such practices are unapproved by the American Dental Association. The reason is obvious; such services do not provide any kind of dental treatment to patients, the predominant objective is 'marketing'.A cosmetic dentist does work that spans a complete range of tooth related aesthetics. With hardly any referral system or third-party insurance administrator services to help, it is a herculean task to find the right one. Some dental procedures require inter-disciplinary dental care before hand and hence the entire exercise can be exhausting.Most people seek the advice of a qualified dentist under whose care they are to recommend the kind of cosmetic dental procedure their teeth might need.


Since cosmetic dentistry as the name denotes only involves the 'cosmetic' aspect of teeth - e.g. alignment, teeth whitening, gap filling, straightening etc. - it is extremely important to have a first-hand update of condition and strength of teeth as well as quality of the gums and the entire bone structure of the mouth area as these conditions have an impact on the longevity and outcome of cosmetic dental procedures. If there are significant problems with any of the above, treatment may be required to set right these conditions before attempting cosmetic dentistry.How to choose the right Cosmetic Dentist?Before setting up a consultation or appointment, it is useful to study the background of the cosmetic dentist from the following perspectives:• Is he or she a member having accreditations from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry?• Is he or she experienced in the kind of work that is at hand or will further references to other dentists be made?• Does the dentist previews of methods, study models or casts and imaging technology to help understand the procedure?• What technologies does the dentist use? (lasers, oral imaging, CAD/CAM restoration, x-rays• Is patient comfort during the procedure adequately addressed to prevent anxiety?• In an emergency situation, are the dentist and the practice suitably equipped to handle them?The initial consultation and session with a cosmetic dentist is an ideal opportunity to learn about his practice, discuss all issues threadbare and establish if the patient's expectations from the treatment can be fulfilled by the dental treatment undertaken.