Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist
May 22, 2018Choosing the right Encino dentist that specializes in cosmetic dentistry can seem daunting. You really want to have the best smile possible so of course you want the best possible dentist to give it to you. Cosmetic dentistry is different from regular dentistry as it considers not only the health of your teeth and gums but their overall appearance as well. So how do you choose the right dentist for you? Let’s look at some credentials your cosmetic dentist should have.
Membership in the California AACD
One of the best places to look for a cosmetic dentist is on the website created by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. There is a search tool there to help you find dentists near you that have the expertise that you are looking for. This site is beneficial to your search because they only list members with the right accreditation to call themselves cosmetic dentists.
How Long Have they Been Practicing
Cosmetic dentistry requires a level of education beyond regular dentistry so you want to know how long they have been practicing and what services they specialize in. Some dentists here in the Encino area, may only perform root canal procedures while others specialize in the Invasalign method of straightening your teeth. Check with the dentist to make sure they offer what you need and how long they have been doing it.
A Before and After Photo Gallery
Many dentist will put before and after photos on their website so you can see their work first hand. You can see the problems that had to be fixed and what it looks like after all the procedures are completed. This can allow you to see the proficiency and creativity of the dentist in question.
References and Reviews
This is your smile we’re talking about so you want to work with a good dentist. One of the ways to check what past patients have to say is through reviews. There are plenty of places online where you can check a dentists review, you can start with Google itself and Yelp as well. This will give you an idea of how other patients felt about their experience. Bear in mind that not all reviews are genuine so use caution.
A Consultation
Before you go ahead with a procedure you should sit down with your cosmetic dentist and discuss exactly what you want your end result to be, that way he can not only outline a comprehensive treatment plan but he can also outline the costs.
What are Inlays and Onlays?
Inlays and Onlays are sometimes words that you could hear dentists talking about, but you don’t know what they really mean. Inlays and Onlays are just implants who can be used to replace a normal filling procedure. The Inlays and Onlays are required when the patient has a tooth decay which is so bad that the dentist cannot repair the tooth with a normal filling procedure. Inlays and Onlays are two different type of implants and are used for different reasons, very much in the same way that veneers are used to make teeth look amazing on our patients in the Los Angeles area.
Inlays :
An Inlay is a sort of prosthesis who is put to repair directly a tooth just like normal fillings. The main difference between an Inlay and a filling is that the Inlay is invisible and he will adapt directly to your mouth. The Inlay is also reputed to be better in long-term than filling because you will have fewer complications. The procedure to put an Inlay is very easy, but this may require several visits to your dentist. The dentist will start by treating your decay and take the measurement for your new prosthesis before sending the prosthesis to a professional for the making. When you will come back for another appointment, the dentist will be ready to put the prosthesis in your mouth. This will only take a couple of minutes and this will be without any pain.
Onlays :
An Onlay is another prosthesis piece which is put on the internal tooth to repair and rebuild the tooth that is really decayed. The prosthesis is put directly on the decayed tooth compared to the inlay where the decay is treated before putting the prosthesis in the mouth. The Onlay is directly put on the tooth and this is a big advantage compared to a crown for example who can’t be put to a live tooth. The Onlay is also very good looking once put on the tooth. The procedure of an Onlay is very similar to the Inlay. The dentist will take a measurement for your new prosthesis and send it to the prosthetist.
The only real disadvantage of having Inlays and Onlays is that this is very costly. The prices can be really high and this is not everyone who can afford these type of procedures. The good news is that Inlays and Onlays are reputed to be really good in long-term and you are sure to have no more complications compared to a standard fillings procedure. If you would like to learn more about our inlay procedures here in Encino, CA, please contact us.
The Columbus Dentistry Clinic Opens Next Month!
For all our eager dental patients, it is with great excitement that we share the news that our cosmetic dentistry practice will have it’s grand opening next month! If you are in need of an emergency dentist, then rest assured that we’ve got your dental care in order and will take care of your teeth just as well as we take care of all our dental patients. We look forward to seeing all of you next month here at our Encino, CA location!
