By Arthur Kezian

The difference between getting your ideal smile and a huge disappointment lies in finding the best cosmetic dentist. When looking for one, there are a number of things that need to be put in to consideration, including the cosmetic dentist’s experience, his credentials, as well as his track record.

There are a number of varied reasons why people seek cosmetic dentistry. Some want to correct their unattractive teeth (which forms the majority reason), while others just want a dental face lift, to look younger and reverse the natural process of teeth aging. There are an equally wide variety of treatment options for anyone seeking to have a better smile. Some of the options include braces, veneers, or even a combination of these for better results.

To find the best dentist, you can start by asking friends and family members for recommendations. If you know someone who has had cosmetic dentistry, ask them about the dentist they used, and whether they are happy with the results they got. You can also get recommendations from your family doctor.

Another source of recommendations is organizations that give accreditation to these dentists. To become a member of such an organization, a dentist will have passed through a tough verification process, and must be highly skilled. Examples of such organizations include The American Society of Dental Aesthetics, and The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

You may look through advertising, websites, commercials and directories, both online and offline, to find a dentist. Cosmetic dentistry, being a very competitive field, attracts a bit of advertising, as compared to other specialties. However, be cautious when choosing a dentist using any advertised medium, be it a newspaper, television or the yellow pages. These advertising media do not check the qualifications of the dentist for you. You should therefore, do your due diligence before engaging their services.

Once you identify a dentist to use, it is important to check on their licensing. Check with your local or state’s dental licensing board to find out if the dentist is appropriately licensed, and whether they have any disciplinary cases, or malpractice suits leveled against them. This should be on top of verifying their training and credentials. Don’t be fooled by a simple mention of cosmetic dentistry in the services description, but go ahead and verify whether they are trained for it professionally.

Adequate testimonials and references should be provided, and if possible, they should come with a before and after photo of the client. You can use these photos to identify the kind of result you want, as well as finding out how many steps were involved in a specific case of interest. This way, you will have a deeper understanding of what will be required of you, and how lengthy the procedure may be.

Finally, the cost must be affordable. Make sure to ask about possible complications that may occur so that you can be ready with a back-up cost plan. However, you should ensure that you are covered for these eventualities before signing the consent form. Read it carefully, understand it, and ask questions where it is unclear. If you have a health insurance, find out if there is any part of these procedures that is covered. Ultimately, make sure that you only use the services of a highly qualified dentist who will assure you of success regardless of the cost.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004  (323) 467-2777