Most people have a clear understanding of how to have good oral health and hygiene, including making regular visits to the dentist. But the cosmetic dentistry side of the industry has continued to boom over the last few years.
While the range of cosmetic procedures you can get to improve your smile is very wide, implants to replace broken or damaged teeth are one of the most popular. It also has one of the biggest impacts overall as well. The key to having success is finding the best implant dentist to do the job.
More and more patients are taking control of how their smiles look which is, in turn, changing how they feel about themselves overall. This guide can help you do the same by showing you how to choose an implant dentist you’ll be thrilled with.
1. Verify Accreditations and Education
As with any medical procedure, you want to know whoever is performing your cosmetic dentistry procedures knows what they are doing and is legitimate. This means you’ll need to verify their business accreditations and educational background.
This is easily done by seeing their certificates posted in the office or a quick search on the internet. But it’s an important step to making sure you get the service you’re looking for without any problems.
2. Has Schedule Availability
Cosmetic dentistry implants require a few trips to the office for different phases of the procedure. The last thing you want is to have the first part done and then be unable to make an appointment for the rest.
Talk with the front desk to see what kinds of availability they have and how they accommodate special needs in their scheduling. This is especially key if you have limited open days.
3. Consult About Specific Services
There are so many things you can do to improve your healthy smile and make it look exactly how you’d like, so it’s a good idea to go over specifics with the potential provider.
You can discuss problem areas within your smile and potential cosmetic procedures that would help. The dentist should be able to provide you with an idea of what could be done and the possible outcomes you can expect. This is a great way to understand if they can really help or not.
4. Options Beyond Cosmetic Procedures
Some patients prefer to get all of their dental work done in one office. If that’s the case, you’ll want to discuss what other services they provide outside of cosmetic dentistry to see if they can meet all of your needs. Being able to get everything done by the same set of providers is a huge benefit to look for.
5. Utilizes New Techniques
The dental field is continually evolving and improving. New techniques, procedures, and technologies are being developed all the time to help patients receive the best care with minimal side effects.
When you’re getting cosmetic work done, you want to be sure the providers have the latest knowledge and are keeping up with advancements. You can ask what techniques they use and for a detailed plan of how they’ll achieve the desired results.
6. Accepts Your Insurance
Going to the dentist for implants can cost you more money than you’d like if you don’t ask the right questions. First, it’s important to check that the provider accepts your dental insurance as this will lower the cost the most. Then it’s helpful to know what payment options are available and if there are any discounts that could be applied.
Knowing the cost upfront can help you better financially prepare for the procedure beforehand.
7. Feel Comfortable in the Office
For some patients, going to the dentist is an extremely stressful situation. They feel a lot of anxiety around getting work done on their teeth which makes it a difficult thing to go through.
It’s a good idea to visit the office beforehand to get a feel for the space and see how comfortable you feel. Being able to relax makes a big difference in how the procedure goes and reduces your stress levels.
8. Offers Proper Education
Getting dental work done can be a mysterious situation, it’s hard to know exactly what’s going on and how best to care for your teeth afterward. A good provider will put an emphasis on education and help you through the procedure from before your visit all the way through recovery.
This type of education can make a big difference in improving your oral health during every visit.
9. Ask for References
There is no substitute for doing all the research to find a good provider. But a great way to find somewhere to start looking is by asking your family and friends who they’ve seen and liked. A reference from a trusted friend is golden for helping you feel comfortable and ready to make your decision since they have first-hand knowledge and experience with the office and dentist.
10. Check Out Their Portfolio
As you’re looking into cosmetic dentistry, you likely have an idea of what you want your smile to look like. Check out the potential provider’s portfolio to see transformations they’ve helped with.
This can give you a good idea of what they’re capable of and if it will match your ideal smile wishlist.
How to Choose an Implant Dentist
When you’re trying to decide how to choose an implant dentist, it’s important to remember to take your time to find the right fit. The work this provider does for your teeth will affect how they look and function for years to come. It’s not something to take lightly!
The effort will pay off when you find an amazing implant dentist you have full confidence in. They can then help you achieve your dream smile so that you can feel more confident and happy. You’ll also likely see added oral health benefits from having better functioning teeth and having an easier time cleaning them properly.
