If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, one of your most important decisions will be selecting which dentist will do the work. Don’t expect this to be a quick process. It will require considerable legwork. And though this process should result in finding the right doctor, it is just as much about educating yourself about the procedure and what to expect. The more time you put into the process, the happier you will be with the results. The Dentist’s EducationAny general dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. Many do. Unlike, many other fields of medicine, there is no requirement for a formal accreditation to claim to be a cosmetic dentist. Because of this, you may find wide differences in the skill and artistry required for cosmetic dentistry. All dentists have been thoroughly trained in the functional aspects of dentistry, e.g. creating tooth-colored fillings, but are not necessarily as trained in the esthetic aspects of cosmetic dentistry. You should expect that, in the least, the cosmetic dentist has participated in continuing education on topics pertaining to cosmetic dentistry. Better yet, check to see if the dentist completed postgraduate programs in cosmetic dentistry. The staff at the dental office should be able to provide you with this information. Creating Your ListBefore selecting a cosmetic dentist, plan on first consulting with two to three. To start, you’ll want to develop a shortlist of dentists. Here are some ways you may create a list:
1. Get recommendations from your family dentist
2. Get recommendations from friends, colleagues and co-workers who have had cosmetic work done
3. Search the Canadian Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry member list: https://seller-brown.ca With more than 5000 members, this is the largest and most reputable cosmetic dental association.
4. Search the web. Cosmetic dentists are increasingly offering informative websites with much more information than you’ll find in a yellow pages ad. If you’ve come up with more than three dentists, you’ll want to narrow it down based on the level of education and accreditation of the dentist and the strength of their referrals.
