Find a Cosmetic Dentist

You’ve dreamed about how it would feel to have that fabulous smile! If only you had that drop-dead gorgeous smile, how much more confident would you feel? But, with other demands on your time and funds, you put yourself second to others. Now you are ready to invest in yourself and give yourself a gift. You deserve it!

Precious few things in life are as valuable as your smile. It is perhaps your greatest asset! And not many things look better as we get older, or last longer! A “smile makeover” is a great value. Dr Ivan believes that If “the eyes are the windows to the soul, then your smile is a reflection of it”

Where do you go? Who do you go to?

The popularity of Cosmetic Dentistry demonstrates that people value a great smile. Some patients have experienced disappointing results, or worse, problems resulting from their treatment. Cosmetic Dentistry can be irreversible, and making sure you have the right place and doctor is essential.

This is why it is crucial to find a highly trained cosmetic dentist to protect your greatest asset, your smile. Achieving a professional, esthetic, strong, healthy, and natural appearance to your veneers takes much training and commitment by a dentist. There are very few dentists whom have made this commitment. When it comes to entrusting your smile, the Yellow Pages is not where to look. With many dentists claiming to be “cosmetic,” and patients not knowing the difference, patients might go to a nice doctor who charges a “fair” fee. This can be a cosmetic disaster and the disappointment that can result is an expensive and painful lesson. When it comes to your front teeth, find the most competent dentist you can trust and feel comfortable with.

In our office, we might even suggest you visit other offices before coming to ours. A cosmetic practice is different and you will know instantly when entering our office you will feel confident is competent and will protect your investment.

Look at the AACD (The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) web site, www.aacd.org for a starting point to look for.

These recommendations are a guideline but may not tell you how much training or if the pictures are of the doctor’s own patients. Here are additional things to consider:

Membership in cosmetic organizations/Continuing Education

Membership in the AACD is a minimal requirement. With only 7600 members, however, this represents less than 5% of all dentists. The 500 graduates from LVI (Las Vegas Institute, the world’s premier training facility), represent dentists that have made the time, financial, and educational commitment to perform at a high level of competency. While membership in the AACD or training at LVI is not a guarantee, it is an indicator of further training needed to ensure veneers are done properly. These dentists are at the top of their profession and would be very proud of this distinction and communicate this via diploma, certificates and plaques, on web sites and in marketing.

Veneers

Take caution when only six veneers or “No-drill” veneers, sometimes called Lumineers are recommended. We greatly advise against these two techniques, as they create aesthetic and gum problems. While patients may not like the drill, only a minimum is needed for most veneers.

Photography
One of the best methods to distinguish a cosmetic dentist is demonstrating his/her own beautiful work with photographs. Most cosmetic dentists are proficient photographers with professional cameras. You will most likely see photographs of patients proudly displayed in the office. These photos will be of actual patients with photo releases for them. The artist’s talent must translate into fabulous smiles in pictures!

Advanced Technology
Does the office look esthetic, have a web site, and have the feeling of being advanced? Cosmetic Dentists are technologically advanced. To manage photo imaging, printing, storage, and to adequately beautify a smile, treatment lasers, and advanced computer functions are required.

The Consultation
Perhaps nothing is more important than to meet the doctor. Choosing the right doctor for you is essential. Patients are rightly concerned with fees, though obtaining the right skill level and personality match is of greatest importance. Dr. Ivan receives and restores at least one patient per month who was disappointed with their cosmetic dentistry. As a consultant, Dr. Ivan teaches other dentists and speaks to the public regarding aspects of cosmetic dentistry. Get educated about your doctor.

The consultation is a great way to see the office, the staff, to see if the office is clean, advanced, and friendly. You must feel this office and doctor is competent and the place you want to go for cosmetic treatment. You must feel you were listened to and that your concerns were addressed. This appointment may be complimentary with staff or doctor. Doctors whom are in demand and value their skills would likely charge a fee for the consultation.