How to Choose a Dentist

With new advancements in dental procedures and innovative technology, cosmetic dentistry is more popular than ever. If you are bothered by a less-than-perfect smile, now you can enhance the appearance of your teeth and gums more easily and effectively than ever before. The first step is to find a cosmetic dentist that you can trust.

There are hundreds of dentists practicing in the San Clarita area. Start by asking for recommendation from friends, coworkers, family members or your physician. When you have a list of names, review that dentist’s Web site, looking for the type of procedures he or she specializes in, and review their background and training.

Look For an LVI-Trained Dentist

One indication of a credible and well-trained dentist is one who has studied at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Review that dentist’s Before and After photo gallery to see if you are pleased with the types of results he or she can create. Photos of actual patients will also indicate the dentist’s technical ability, so pay careful attention to the procedure(s) you are interested in.

During the Consultation

Most dentists offer free consultations. This gives you a chance to meet with your prospective dentist without making a commitment. Be prepared to discuss how you feel about your smile with your potential dentist, and what changes you would like to make to achieve your desired result.

Your consultation is a good time to ask the dentist about information you could not find on his or her Web site. You can ask for references—an accomplished cosmetic dentist will be proud to share with you the names of other consenting clients who have received similar treatments. Also ask your potential dentist how he keeps up-to-date with new technology, advanced procedures and post-graduate education.

Other topics you may want to inquire about include:

• How extensive of a practice it is: Ask if he or she offers study models, imaging technology and/or bonding previews when recommending and demonstrating a procedure.

• Dental technologies: See what technologies are used that may help meet your needs (such as lasers, caries detection devices, CAD/CAM restoration, intraoral imaging, etc.)
• Referrals: Ask what procedures, if any, are referred out to specialists.
• Patient comforts: Ask what patient comforts are provided (such as headphones with relaxing music, sedation dentistry, etc.)
• Emergency procedures: While emergencies are rare occurrences, find out what provisions the practice offers if one occurs. See if emergency service is provided by the dentist or a staff member, and whether you should communication over the phone or in person.

Above all, make sure your potential cosmetic dentist listens to your needs, and is someone you would feel comfortable working with. Expect your potential dentist to recommend all your different treatment options, along with a detailed report of each and an estimated price.

Learn more about Why the Right Dentist Makes a Difference - Combining Function and Aesthetics.

If you are looking for an experienced, qualified cosmetic dentist in the Valencia, California area, please contact Dr. Miller at Aesthetic Dentistry of Valencia today to schedule your free consultation.