Cosmetic Dentistry Articles from
Chicago Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mladen Kralj

Choosing the right dentist
Mladen Kralj, DMD

Keep in mind that not all dentists are created equal. General dentistry, and especially aesthetic dentistry, has truly become an art form - you want to be sure the dentist you select has an exceptional skill level, extensive experience, and the artistic talent to provide the results you are expecting. Choosing the right dentist can make a dramatic difference in the outcome whether it be a simple crown or a complete makeover. It can also save you years of unnecessary dental repairs and frustration, as well as time and money.

So, where do you start? Before you randomly select a dentist out of the yellow pages, or someone just because they are close by, or even consider your current general dentist for aesthetic procedures, think again. The majority of dental procedures are not reversible - you owe it to yourself to devote a little bit of energy to finding an expert, talented dental professional who will help you achieve the smile you've always dreamed of. You'll be glad you did.

Ask for aesthetic credentials

Your dentist should be a member of or accredited by a major dental association such as the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). AGD and AACD members care about their patients' long-term oral health and satisfaction with their new smile. That is why they participate in numerous continuing education programs to learn about the latest dental technology, materials, and procedures to improve their clinical knowledge and technical skills.

Inquire about expertise

Keep in mind that the majority of advanced general and aesthetic procedures are not taught in dental schools and are not something a dentist becomes skilled at by simply reading an article or book. Most highly skilled dentists learned their procedures on live patients at post-graduate programs that teach the latest techniques in advanced general and aesthetic dentistry.

The top programs include the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum (PAC-live), the Hornbrook Group, the Pankey Insitute, and the Las Vegas Institute (LVI). Also ask how many continuuing education hours a year the dentist participates in.

Review photos, get references

A serious dentist will photograph every cosmetic case in order to evaluate and scrutinize the final results effectively. Examine the dentist's treatment results on other patients to make sure his or her work fits your dental needs. Many successful dentists have professionally designed websites that showcase the results of their work and contain information on the various cosmetic procedures they provide.

The dentist should also be able to provide you with a reference list of patients who have had similar treatment. Talk to them personally about their experience at the practice and how they feel about their final results.

Look for artistic excellence

An inspired dentist looks at each smile as a potential work of art, with unique challenges and distinctive characteristics. Your dentist should consider factors such as the shape, size, color, and health of your teeth and gums, your bite, the shape of your mouth and face, skin tone, and much more. See how the new smile transforms a person's entire face and look for smiles that appear perfectly natural, like they were always meant to be.

Communication is the key to any successful restorative or aesthetic treatment outcome. A qualified, caring dentist will offer a complimentary consultation to give you the opportunity to sit down and discuss your specific needs and desires, ask questions, and review the procedures, costs, and expectations. The dentist should educate you on the various treatment options available and recommend which procedures are most appropriate for you. Depending on the procedure your consultation should include the following:

• Examination and photographs of your teeth, gums, bite, and smile.
• Patient education software to explain the recommended treatment.
• Aesthetic computer imaging to show you your potential new smile.
• Diagnostic wax-up for more advanced cases; used to evaluate final tooth shape and size, overall symmetry, and bite relationship.
• Written treatment plan; when indicated you will receive several treatment option

Find a progressive practice.

Doctors using the latest high-tech equipment and materials are also more likely to be up to date on the most recent treatments and techniques to make your visits comfortable with predictable results.

Digital x-rays, I-Cat cone beam 3-D, diagnostic lasers, intra-oral cameras, and smile imaging, for example, are indicators of a leading-edge practice. Ask for a tour of the practice to see what technology the dentist uses for diagnosis and treatment.

Examine the dentist's lab

Put the associated lab and materials under a microscope. An expert dentist will be excited about the materials they are using, and happy to tell you the name of the lab that produces them.

Quality oriented dentists use only the highest quality dental labs. Your dentist should have a strong relationship with the dental lab he is using and especially the master ceramist that will be custom–making your porcelain restorations.

Don’t be misled by lower cost treatment estimates

Selecting a dentist based on fees alone can be a disappointing venture. Don't automatically go for the lowest bidder, they are most likely cutting corners by using a lower quality dental lab and materials, both of which can negatively affect your outcome. If someone is offering to do something at far below industry averages, be very suspicious.

A quality oriented dentist photographs his dental work on a regular basis to evaluate his and the lab’s results. Ask for before and after pictures to examine the quality of the dental restorations and to see how natural they look.

Form a bond with your dentist

Optimal oral health is a lifelong process that requires dedication and commitment on the part of the patient and dentist. You want to feel comfortable enough to form a long-term relationship with your dentist. An experienced and skilled dentist is confident that they are providing you the best treatment available, thus should stand by their work and guarantee the results.

Relax for a few hours

Progressive practices are dedicated to terrific customer service and will provide amenities such as fresh coffee or green tea, neck pillows, warm blankets, aromatherapy candles and relaxing music to make your treatment as comfortable as possible. By utilizing advanced technology and techniques your basic dental procedures should be more efficient and of a shorter duration.

There are some variations, but after the initial hour of consultation, a typical Smile Design procedure requires only 2 appointments about 3 weeks apart.

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