For years, porcelain veneers were the only option for people who wanted veneer therapy. However, in the last decade, no-prep veneers have become the newest way to aesthetically improve your smile. But does newer automatically equal better? In this case, many patients who are interested in veneers are likely to be better off sticking to the tried-and-true permanent porcelain variety that we're all familiar with.
What Exactly are Removable Veneers?
Removable veneers are made to be especially thin. Because of their reduced thickness, patients’ teeth do not need to be buffed or prepared. This allows dentists to remove veneers, when needed, and reveal a patient’s in-tact natural smile.
Removable Veneers Compared to Traditional Veneers
These two kinds of veneers share some similarities. Both traditional and no-prep, removable veneers hide imperfections and can be color-matched to your natural teeth. However, there are some important differences that often make traditional veneers the better choice for cosmetic smile improvement:
Traditional porcelain veneers are, by design, thicker than no-prep veneers. In order to be placed on teeth and promote a natural appearance, dental enamel must first be prepared by some light buffing. The thickness of traditional veneers allows Dr. Yeary to more predictably change the color and shape of your teeth. Thinner, no-prep veneers may not do a good job of concealing deep teeth staining.
No-prep veneers can indeed be removed if necessary and are thinner than traditional veneers, preventing the need for the preparation process. However, even as thin as they are, adding a no-prep veneer to unaltered tooth structure will make teeth look slightly thicker. No-prep veneers then only work well for patients with thin, pushed-back teeth, and do not produce ideal results in all cases.
Learn More about Veneer Therapy
If you want veneers to improve the appearance of your smile for long term, traditional veneers provide effective results for a wider rage of patients with mild to moderate cosmetic flaws on teeth. For more information on veneers in Plano, TX, contact Plano Smiles.
Monday 7 December 2015
Tuesday 17 November 2015
Sedation Dentistry: Choosing the Right Treatment
Between 5 and 8 percent of Americans are scared to visit the dentist. Around 20 percent of adults are anxious to the point that they only see dentists when absolutely necessary.
You shouldn't deprive yourself of a healthy smile because of dental anxiety or fear. Sedation dentistry from Plano Smiles is the perfect choice for people that are concerned about their dental health but are nervous about visiting our office to get the care they need.
Comparing Sedation Options
Sedation dentistry refers to the administration of medication that eases patients’ fear and allows them to relax during treatment. Dr. Yeary and his team offer two methods of sedation:
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is one of the more common sedation techniques used in the United States. The patient takes a pill -- typically from the same drug family as Valium -- about an hour before their procedure is scheduled. If the patient feels the need for further sedation just before the procedure, they may take an additional dose. The level of sedation depends on the dosage. While the pill induces feelings of deep relaxation, it leaves patient awake enough to interact with Dr. Yeary if needed. Medication lingers in a patient's body for a few hours, making it ideal for longer procedures, such as extensive cosmetic and restorative treatment.
Nitrous Oxide
You've probably heard nitrous oxide referred to by its slang term, laughing gas. Nitrous is considered to be a mild sedative and is inhaled to achieve sedative effects. Dr. Yeary controls the amount of sedation a patient receives. The effects of nitrous oxide tend to wear off quickly, which is well suited to shorter dental procedures, such as cleanings or fillings. Patients are sedated but still able to signal Dr. Yeary if they feel he should adjust their level of sedation.
Along with sedation, we administer a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb treatment areas and improve comfort during care.
Sedation Dentistry Might Be For You
To learn more about sedation dentistry and which technique might be best suited to your situation, contact Dr. Yeary at Plano Smiles to schedule a consultation.
You shouldn't deprive yourself of a healthy smile because of dental anxiety or fear. Sedation dentistry from Plano Smiles is the perfect choice for people that are concerned about their dental health but are nervous about visiting our office to get the care they need.
Comparing Sedation Options
Sedation dentistry refers to the administration of medication that eases patients’ fear and allows them to relax during treatment. Dr. Yeary and his team offer two methods of sedation:
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral sedation is one of the more common sedation techniques used in the United States. The patient takes a pill -- typically from the same drug family as Valium -- about an hour before their procedure is scheduled. If the patient feels the need for further sedation just before the procedure, they may take an additional dose. The level of sedation depends on the dosage. While the pill induces feelings of deep relaxation, it leaves patient awake enough to interact with Dr. Yeary if needed. Medication lingers in a patient's body for a few hours, making it ideal for longer procedures, such as extensive cosmetic and restorative treatment.
Nitrous Oxide
You've probably heard nitrous oxide referred to by its slang term, laughing gas. Nitrous is considered to be a mild sedative and is inhaled to achieve sedative effects. Dr. Yeary controls the amount of sedation a patient receives. The effects of nitrous oxide tend to wear off quickly, which is well suited to shorter dental procedures, such as cleanings or fillings. Patients are sedated but still able to signal Dr. Yeary if they feel he should adjust their level of sedation.
Along with sedation, we administer a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb treatment areas and improve comfort during care.
Sedation Dentistry Might Be For You
To learn more about sedation dentistry and which technique might be best suited to your situation, contact Dr. Yeary at Plano Smiles to schedule a consultation.
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Cosmetic Dentistry: More than What's On the Outside
Cosmetic dental treatments are so-called for their ability to improve the outward appearance of a patient’s smile. From a whiter smile to creating more evenly spaced teeth, there are multiple benefits associated with cosmetic dental procedures. In addition to making your smile look better, some treatments that produce a cosmetically enhanced outcome can also improve the health and strength of your teeth.
Cosmetic procedures can provide the following benefits to your overall dental health:
Reinforcing Weak Teeth and Replacing Damaged Enamel: We offer all-porcelain crowns, the application process for which involves removing decayed dental enamel and replacing it with a porcelain, tooth-shaped prosthetic. While cosmetic dental crowns can make decayed teeth appear healthy and white, they also prevent the spread of decay into the inner canals of teeth and to neighboring, healthy teeth. By applying all-porcelain crowns, Dr. Yeary not only improves your appearance - he also protects the overall health of your smile. .
Repairing Cavities: Dr. Yeary uses tooth-colored composite resin to perform cosmetic dental bonding. When applied and shaped onto teeth, this tooth-colored material helps your smile look even and balanced. But white composite resin can also be used, instead of metal amalgam, to treat cavities. Not only do cosmetic fillings repair damaged and decaying teeth, they not prone to contracting and expanding like metal fillings. This reduces a patient’s risk for experiencing a cracked tooth as their metal filling ages. Additionally, composite fillings are mercury-free, resulting in limited exposure to unfriendly chemicals.
Lasting Comfort and Oral Function: All-porcelain cosmetic restorations are frequently recommended when patients have teeth that are severely decayed, broken or chipped, or that contain a cavity which cannot be repaired with a filling. Porcelain restorations that do not contain a metal base not only look better over the course of their lives, they also are less likely to cause gum irritation and discomfort. Metal can conduct heat and cold, causing tooth sensitivity, and may even produce an allergic reaction as some patients may be sensitive to some of the metal mixtures frequently used in dental restorations. In contrast, all-porcelain prosthetics are gentle on soft tissue and with advancements in fabrication and bonding, hold up well to daily wear and time over the long-run.
In the end, cosmetic dental procedures can also be a motivating way to keep up better at-home care over-all. Dr. Yeary finds that when his patients invest in their smiles through cosmetic dentistry, they're more inclined to keep their smiles healthy. This includes careful and regular brushing and flossing, as well as avoiding foods that could cause staining.
Our Plano cosmetic dentistry patients benefit by choosing options that not only improve their smiles, but also the health of their teeth. For more information about cosmetic dentistry, please contact our office.
Cosmetic procedures can provide the following benefits to your overall dental health:
Reinforcing Weak Teeth and Replacing Damaged Enamel: We offer all-porcelain crowns, the application process for which involves removing decayed dental enamel and replacing it with a porcelain, tooth-shaped prosthetic. While cosmetic dental crowns can make decayed teeth appear healthy and white, they also prevent the spread of decay into the inner canals of teeth and to neighboring, healthy teeth. By applying all-porcelain crowns, Dr. Yeary not only improves your appearance - he also protects the overall health of your smile. .
Repairing Cavities: Dr. Yeary uses tooth-colored composite resin to perform cosmetic dental bonding. When applied and shaped onto teeth, this tooth-colored material helps your smile look even and balanced. But white composite resin can also be used, instead of metal amalgam, to treat cavities. Not only do cosmetic fillings repair damaged and decaying teeth, they not prone to contracting and expanding like metal fillings. This reduces a patient’s risk for experiencing a cracked tooth as their metal filling ages. Additionally, composite fillings are mercury-free, resulting in limited exposure to unfriendly chemicals.
Lasting Comfort and Oral Function: All-porcelain cosmetic restorations are frequently recommended when patients have teeth that are severely decayed, broken or chipped, or that contain a cavity which cannot be repaired with a filling. Porcelain restorations that do not contain a metal base not only look better over the course of their lives, they also are less likely to cause gum irritation and discomfort. Metal can conduct heat and cold, causing tooth sensitivity, and may even produce an allergic reaction as some patients may be sensitive to some of the metal mixtures frequently used in dental restorations. In contrast, all-porcelain prosthetics are gentle on soft tissue and with advancements in fabrication and bonding, hold up well to daily wear and time over the long-run.
In the end, cosmetic dental procedures can also be a motivating way to keep up better at-home care over-all. Dr. Yeary finds that when his patients invest in their smiles through cosmetic dentistry, they're more inclined to keep their smiles healthy. This includes careful and regular brushing and flossing, as well as avoiding foods that could cause staining.
Our Plano cosmetic dentistry patients benefit by choosing options that not only improve their smiles, but also the health of their teeth. For more information about cosmetic dentistry, please contact our office.
Tuesday 20 October 2015
How Root Canals Help Save your Teeth
Root canals are an essential measure in the fight to save teeth from infection and severe damage. Without attention from a dentist, decay can start as a small spot on enamel – a cavity – and progress to the inner portions of teeth, or even into a tooth’s roots – the part of a tooth that keep it in-place. Tooth infections and extremely damaged teeth can often be saved, and your oral health preserved, with help from root canal therapy at our Plano dental office.
How Root Canals Preserve Tooth Structure
When a tooth is infected, material called dentin – the pulp and nerves inside the tooth’s canals – is what gets damaged. But dentin can actually be removed without compromising the integrity of tooth walls or tooth roots. By removing dentin, we are able to prevent bad bacteria from spreading and causing further damage. The end result after root canal therapy is a clean, infection-free tooth that can be allowed to remain in place, without perpetuating oral health problems.
The Complications of Tooth Extraction
Teeth that are not treated with root canals, or that are damaged past the point of saving, must be removed to prevent discomfort and damage to neighboring healthy teeth. While this fixes the immediate problem presented by a diseased tooth, lack of natural teeth creates other issues, such as bone volume depletion, shifting of existing teeth alignment, and disruption in biting and chewing function.
It’s possible to replace teeth with prosthetics like dental implants, bridges, and dentures, but this incurs additional costs for care. When possible, it’s always best to keep your natural tooth structure and roots in place. Root canal therapy allows Dr. Yeary to do just that for patients.
Protecting Treated Teeth with Custom Restorations
The process for getting a root canal includes a final restorative process where your treated tooth is sealed to prevent additional damage and promote lasting function. Dr. Yeary accomplishes this by adding a customized, tooth-colored dental crown to your smile. Not only will you be free of the discomfort caused by a tooth infection, your tooth will be saved, and your smile will look healthy.
For more information about how we can protect and renew your oral health with a root canal, contact Plano Smiles to speak to a member of our team.
How Root Canals Preserve Tooth Structure
When a tooth is infected, material called dentin – the pulp and nerves inside the tooth’s canals – is what gets damaged. But dentin can actually be removed without compromising the integrity of tooth walls or tooth roots. By removing dentin, we are able to prevent bad bacteria from spreading and causing further damage. The end result after root canal therapy is a clean, infection-free tooth that can be allowed to remain in place, without perpetuating oral health problems.
The Complications of Tooth Extraction
Teeth that are not treated with root canals, or that are damaged past the point of saving, must be removed to prevent discomfort and damage to neighboring healthy teeth. While this fixes the immediate problem presented by a diseased tooth, lack of natural teeth creates other issues, such as bone volume depletion, shifting of existing teeth alignment, and disruption in biting and chewing function.
It’s possible to replace teeth with prosthetics like dental implants, bridges, and dentures, but this incurs additional costs for care. When possible, it’s always best to keep your natural tooth structure and roots in place. Root canal therapy allows Dr. Yeary to do just that for patients.
Protecting Treated Teeth with Custom Restorations
The process for getting a root canal includes a final restorative process where your treated tooth is sealed to prevent additional damage and promote lasting function. Dr. Yeary accomplishes this by adding a customized, tooth-colored dental crown to your smile. Not only will you be free of the discomfort caused by a tooth infection, your tooth will be saved, and your smile will look healthy.
For more information about how we can protect and renew your oral health with a root canal, contact Plano Smiles to speak to a member of our team.
Tuesday 13 October 2015
How A Mouth Guard Can Help You Sleep Better Today
The Thornton Adjustable Positioner(r) (TAP(r)) is a simple, patient-friendly treatment solution for snoring and sleep apnea. The TAP holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that it does not fall open during the night and cause the airway to collapse. It maintains a clear airway to reduce snoring and improve breathing.
The unique design allows the patient to fine-tune his/her treatment at home and work with the clinician to achieve the best results. Patients are empowered to manage the degree of lower jaw protrusion over as many nights as it takes to achieve the optimal treatment position. The TAP has a single point of central adjustment, which prevents uneven bilateral adjustment that can create an irregular bite and discomfort.
The TAP has over a 95% success rate. It is the key to a snore-free, restful night of sleep. The TAP also treats sleep apnea without the need for surgery, a mask, or medication. The TAP is recognized as the market leader in oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea and is currently prescribed by over 7,000 dentists worldwide to treat snoring and sleep apnea. In addition, it is the most researched oral appliances on the market with over 30 independent peer reviewed published studies. A simple dental examination is necessary to know if the patient will be able to use an oral appliance.
Why Patients like the TAP
The unique design allows the patient to fine-tune his/her treatment at home and work with the clinician to achieve the best results. Patients are empowered to manage the degree of lower jaw protrusion over as many nights as it takes to achieve the optimal treatment position. The TAP has a single point of central adjustment, which prevents uneven bilateral adjustment that can create an irregular bite and discomfort.
The TAP has over a 95% success rate. It is the key to a snore-free, restful night of sleep. The TAP also treats sleep apnea without the need for surgery, a mask, or medication. The TAP is recognized as the market leader in oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea and is currently prescribed by over 7,000 dentists worldwide to treat snoring and sleep apnea. In addition, it is the most researched oral appliances on the market with over 30 independent peer reviewed published studies. A simple dental examination is necessary to know if the patient will be able to use an oral appliance.
Why Patients like the TAP
- Comfortable, custom fit
- Durable construction
- Easy to use
- Adjustable while in the mouth
- Patient can adjust at home and achieve maximum treatment results night to night
- Smaller and less bulky than other oral appliances
- Convenient for travel
- No masks or straps involved
Tuesday 6 October 2015
What Teeth Grinding Does to your Smile
Night time teeth grinding is an involuntary action that many people may experience from time to time. However, continued and frequent teeth grinding has some negative consequences for your health, including:
Flattening Enamel - Persistent pressure on teeth, and the force of moving teeth back and forth against each other, can wear them down over time. With extra force, enamel begins to flatten, which can take a toll on aesthetic and your ability to chew properly.
Creating the Need for Restoration - Teeth that are protected from damage by preventive health measures need less complex care. When enamel has been altered by extensive grinding, however, dental restorations may be necessary. Teeth grinders may need dental crowns to prevent additional damage, protect weakened teeth, or repair chips, cracks, and fractures.
Creates Jaw Pain and Tension - Teeth grinding and jaw pain go hand-in-hand. While grinding teeth, muscles around jaw joints clench and tighten, creating soreness, discomfort, and frequent headaches.
While all of these secondary issues are uncomfortable, they are preventable with the help of a custom oral appliance.
Protecting your Smile with Mouth Guards
Mouth guards create a barrier between each arch of teeth and cushions against all of the extra pressure caused by teeth grinding. With mouth guards, patients grind teeth against the protective appliance, not dental enamel.
Mouth guards also prevent the radiating jaw pain caused by muscle clenching that contributes to grinding. With the support provided by the mouth guard, the extra force is absorbed by the appliance, alleviating soreness in jaw joints or clicking and popping sounds that are indicative of jaw joint issues.
Learn more about how you can Benefit from Dental Appliances
If you’re a night-time teeth grinder or you’re experiencing persistent jaw pain, mouth guards can provide a simple and effective solution to these nagging dental problems. Contact our Plano dental office to learn more about getting a custom-created oral appliance.
Flattening Enamel - Persistent pressure on teeth, and the force of moving teeth back and forth against each other, can wear them down over time. With extra force, enamel begins to flatten, which can take a toll on aesthetic and your ability to chew properly.
Creating the Need for Restoration - Teeth that are protected from damage by preventive health measures need less complex care. When enamel has been altered by extensive grinding, however, dental restorations may be necessary. Teeth grinders may need dental crowns to prevent additional damage, protect weakened teeth, or repair chips, cracks, and fractures.
Creates Jaw Pain and Tension - Teeth grinding and jaw pain go hand-in-hand. While grinding teeth, muscles around jaw joints clench and tighten, creating soreness, discomfort, and frequent headaches.
While all of these secondary issues are uncomfortable, they are preventable with the help of a custom oral appliance.
Protecting your Smile with Mouth Guards
Mouth guards create a barrier between each arch of teeth and cushions against all of the extra pressure caused by teeth grinding. With mouth guards, patients grind teeth against the protective appliance, not dental enamel.
Mouth guards also prevent the radiating jaw pain caused by muscle clenching that contributes to grinding. With the support provided by the mouth guard, the extra force is absorbed by the appliance, alleviating soreness in jaw joints or clicking and popping sounds that are indicative of jaw joint issues.
Learn more about how you can Benefit from Dental Appliances
If you’re a night-time teeth grinder or you’re experiencing persistent jaw pain, mouth guards can provide a simple and effective solution to these nagging dental problems. Contact our Plano dental office to learn more about getting a custom-created oral appliance.
Tuesday 29 September 2015
How Same-Day Implant Dentures Work
While total tooth loss is less common today than it was a few decades ago, many people still need treatment solutions for whole arches of missing or badly damaged teeth. Dental implants are one of the best choices you can make for preserving your oral health, permanently replacing teeth, and keeping your smile looking its best. While the traditional implant treatment process can take several months, Dr. Mason Yeary of Plano Smiles offers a revolutionary same-day implant solution for immediate results.
Our same-day implant denture treatment makes it possible to get the new smile you want, in far less time. We are able to remove any severely damaged teeth and give you both implants and your new teeth in the same appointment.
Here’s how the same-day implant process works:
Cohesive Treatment Planning
You’ll visit Plano Smiles, as well as our oral surgeon’s office, to have your treatment plan drawn-up and finalized. During your visit to our office, we’ll evaluate your oral health, remove any teeth if necessary, or examine your current set of dentures for conversion to implant-dentures. Dr. Yeary and our oral surgeon work together to finalize a plan for how treatment will be completed on the day of surgery. Because All-on-4 same-day implant dentures strategically use a small number of implants, your treatment can be completed quickly and effectively.
Waking Up with New Teeth
Your same-day denture treatment begins on the day you visit our oral surgeon for implant placement. You’ll be placed under relaxing sedation while the implant posts are surgically added to bone in your jaw. Dr. Yeary will be present for this procedure, so he can place your dental prosthetics as soon as our surgeon is done with the implant surgery. When you wake up from sedation, you’ll have a complete new smile.
On-the-Spot Adjustments for Best Outcomes
Because Dr. Yeary is in the room while your implants are being placed, he’s ready to make any tweaks or adjustments, if necessary, when you wake up. This fine-tuning is essential for ensuring that your new teeth fit and feel just right. This care is usually completed at follow-up dental appointments, which can lengthen the implant treatment process. At Plano Smiles, we’re there for you when you awake from sedation, so you can get the treatment finalization you need for a comfortable new smile.
Dr. Yeary is skilled in implant denture adjustment and repair, while our oral surgeon has expertise in placing dental implants for long-lasting new teeth. Working as a team, Plano Smiles is able to provide high quality dental care for same-day implants with All-on-4 implant dentures. For more information, contact our office to schedule your implant consultation.
Our same-day implant denture treatment makes it possible to get the new smile you want, in far less time. We are able to remove any severely damaged teeth and give you both implants and your new teeth in the same appointment.
Here’s how the same-day implant process works:
Cohesive Treatment Planning
You’ll visit Plano Smiles, as well as our oral surgeon’s office, to have your treatment plan drawn-up and finalized. During your visit to our office, we’ll evaluate your oral health, remove any teeth if necessary, or examine your current set of dentures for conversion to implant-dentures. Dr. Yeary and our oral surgeon work together to finalize a plan for how treatment will be completed on the day of surgery. Because All-on-4 same-day implant dentures strategically use a small number of implants, your treatment can be completed quickly and effectively.
Waking Up with New Teeth
Your same-day denture treatment begins on the day you visit our oral surgeon for implant placement. You’ll be placed under relaxing sedation while the implant posts are surgically added to bone in your jaw. Dr. Yeary will be present for this procedure, so he can place your dental prosthetics as soon as our surgeon is done with the implant surgery. When you wake up from sedation, you’ll have a complete new smile.
On-the-Spot Adjustments for Best Outcomes
Because Dr. Yeary is in the room while your implants are being placed, he’s ready to make any tweaks or adjustments, if necessary, when you wake up. This fine-tuning is essential for ensuring that your new teeth fit and feel just right. This care is usually completed at follow-up dental appointments, which can lengthen the implant treatment process. At Plano Smiles, we’re there for you when you awake from sedation, so you can get the treatment finalization you need for a comfortable new smile.
Dr. Yeary is skilled in implant denture adjustment and repair, while our oral surgeon has expertise in placing dental implants for long-lasting new teeth. Working as a team, Plano Smiles is able to provide high quality dental care for same-day implants with All-on-4 implant dentures. For more information, contact our office to schedule your implant consultation.
Monday 21 September 2015
Welcome To Our Blog
We're excited to announce the official launch of our Mason Yeary, DDS. blog.
We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental
industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.
We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our
patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection
of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our
current and future patients.
If you would like to stay up to date on the latest from Mason Yeary, DDS., simply
click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and
subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post.
Here's to your best oral health ever!
Wednesday 3 June 2015
Top 10 Critical Things You Should Know Before You Select a Cosmetic Dentist
Cosmetic dentistry is an investment in the future of your smile. And, like any investment, you'll want to do a little research before making a final decision. These guidelines can help you choose the practitioner who's right for you.
Unlike other dental specialties (oral surgery, orthodontics, etc.), cosmetic dentistry is not recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a specialty. However, cosmetic dentists can receive accreditation through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The dentist should also be licensed through the state dental board.
2. Investigate the doctor's training.
The best cosmetic dentistry practitioners didn't just go to dental school; they also completed extensive post-graduate training programs that focus specifically on issues of cosmetic dentistry. In addition, the best dentists regularly attend continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on new procedures and materials.
3. Start with a consultation.
Going in for a consultation is a great way to learn more about a dentist and dental practice. Consultations are generally inexpensive, and are sometimes even offered for free. Talk to the dentist before you commit to anything. Remember, it's your job to make an educated decision.
4. Look for smile design experience.
Cosmetic dentistry is as much art as it is science. In general, the more smiles a dentist has designed, the better that dentist's work will be. Smile design is about more than just your teeth; the dentist should also consider your lips, gum line, mouth shape and facial structure.
5. Communication is key.
It's essential that you be able to talk to your dentist – and that your dentist will listen to you! There's a lot of dialogue that needs to go into an individual long-term treatment plan. If you feel bullied, pressured, or rushed, then that's probably not the right dentist for you.
6. Look at before and after photos.
Take a look at the dentist's portfolio before you make up your mind. Pay specific attention to cases that are similar to yours. Make sure that the photos are of actual work done by the dentist, not just stock photos.
7. Don't pay too much – or too little.
Some dentists charge more by marketing themselves as high-end celebrity cosmetic dentists offering Hollywood smile makeovers. Other dentists try to make up for poor materials and shoddy work by offering low prices. Beware the extremes.
8. An honest dentist sets realistic expectations.
Watch out for doctors who promise more than they can deliver. You want a dentist who will tell you what can and cannot be done for your smile. You need to know how long the process will take, what you'll have to do, and any complications that could occur.
9. Technology is cool, but it's not the only thing.
A dentist with high-tech modern equipment is more likely to be up-to-date on modern techniques. At the same time, however, don't let yourself be dazzled by a dentist's fancy tools; what really matters is if the dentist knows how to use them properly.
10. A good lab technician is a valuable asset.
The dentist might decide on the treatment plan, but it's the lab technician who'll actually fabricate the porcelain veneers or crowns that will be gracing your new smile. Great dentists are proud of their lab technicians and the materials they use.
- Check the doctor's credentials.
Unlike other dental specialties (oral surgery, orthodontics, etc.), cosmetic dentistry is not recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a specialty. However, cosmetic dentists can receive accreditation through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The dentist should also be licensed through the state dental board.
2. Investigate the doctor's training.
The best cosmetic dentistry practitioners didn't just go to dental school; they also completed extensive post-graduate training programs that focus specifically on issues of cosmetic dentistry. In addition, the best dentists regularly attend continuing education classes to stay up-to-date on new procedures and materials.
3. Start with a consultation.
Going in for a consultation is a great way to learn more about a dentist and dental practice. Consultations are generally inexpensive, and are sometimes even offered for free. Talk to the dentist before you commit to anything. Remember, it's your job to make an educated decision.
4. Look for smile design experience.
Cosmetic dentistry is as much art as it is science. In general, the more smiles a dentist has designed, the better that dentist's work will be. Smile design is about more than just your teeth; the dentist should also consider your lips, gum line, mouth shape and facial structure.
5. Communication is key.
It's essential that you be able to talk to your dentist – and that your dentist will listen to you! There's a lot of dialogue that needs to go into an individual long-term treatment plan. If you feel bullied, pressured, or rushed, then that's probably not the right dentist for you.
6. Look at before and after photos.
Take a look at the dentist's portfolio before you make up your mind. Pay specific attention to cases that are similar to yours. Make sure that the photos are of actual work done by the dentist, not just stock photos.
7. Don't pay too much – or too little.
Some dentists charge more by marketing themselves as high-end celebrity cosmetic dentists offering Hollywood smile makeovers. Other dentists try to make up for poor materials and shoddy work by offering low prices. Beware the extremes.
8. An honest dentist sets realistic expectations.
Watch out for doctors who promise more than they can deliver. You want a dentist who will tell you what can and cannot be done for your smile. You need to know how long the process will take, what you'll have to do, and any complications that could occur.
9. Technology is cool, but it's not the only thing.
A dentist with high-tech modern equipment is more likely to be up-to-date on modern techniques. At the same time, however, don't let yourself be dazzled by a dentist's fancy tools; what really matters is if the dentist knows how to use them properly.
10. A good lab technician is a valuable asset.
The dentist might decide on the treatment plan, but it's the lab technician who'll actually fabricate the porcelain veneers or crowns that will be gracing your new smile. Great dentists are proud of their lab technicians and the materials they use.
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