Why You Need a Cosmetic Dentist Instead of a General Dentist

Most consumers are unaware that although general dentistry is a licensed and regulated healthcare field, there is no specific regulation of the specialization in cosmetic dentistry. Any licensed general dentist can refer to himself as a cosmetic dentist. (This is in contrast to medical doctors who are specialists in a certain field such as cardiology or endocrinology. Medical doctors cannot refer to themselves as being in an area of specialization without obtaining the required training, credentials, and licensing board membership in that specific field.) As the field of cosmetic dentistry becomes more popular among the public, this may change in the future. Dentists may be required to go through a specific training and credentialing program in order to advertise themselves as being cosmetic dentists. However, as of now, there are a variety of different trainings and associations for dentists to learn the field of cosmetic dentistry. As a consumer, you should look for a dentist who has at least been through some kind of training and credentialing program for cosmetic dentistry, even though it is not required by law. It will save you in the long run.

But what is the difference between a Silver Spring Dentist and a general dentist? Why would you need a cosmetic dentist instead of a general dentist anyway? Here are a few points to consider:

1) Do you have dental imperfections such as a chipped tooth, enamel loss, discolored teeth, one or more missing or loose teeth, a “gummy” smile, gaps between your teeth, “small” teeth, “buck” teeth, a misaligned bite, or other dental problems that are apparent when you smile, chew, laugh, or talk?

2) Are you simply seeking a dental office that you can go to once or twice a year for a routine cleaning or a filling here and there?

If you answered yes to the first question, you need a Silver Spring cosmetic dentist. If you answered yes to question two, you need a general dentist.

Most people actually need a cosmetic dentist, but they choose a general dentist anyway. The general dentist will have an assistant clean the patient’s teeth, or the general dentist will find cavities or dental erosion and have their patients returning for fillings several times each year. This is how they keep themselves in business. However, they will never address the patient’s reluctance to smile because of self-consciousness. They may refer out to an orthodontist who will outfit the patient with retainers or braces, further damaging the patient’s physical appearance.

A cosmetic Dentist Silver Springs MD, on the other hand, will assess the physical appearance of a patient’s smile in addition to a patient’s oral and dental health. A cosmetic dentist (with actual training and credentials as such) can do anything a general dentist can do, and more. They have been trained to look for not just cavities, but also aesthetic imperfections that can be remedied with new dental technologies and both surgical and non-surgical techniques.

 

How to Choose the Right Dentist for You

When looking for a dentist in Silver Spring, MD, it’s crucially important to find the right dentist for you. Even though all dentists have gone through dental school, passed the necessary classes, gone through the dental licensing process, found a job at a dental office or started their own dental office, and keep up with their continuing education as required by their state licensing board, not every dentist will be right for your specific needs. Everyone has their own unique dental challenges, and everyone has their own unique preferences for the dental setting, fee structure, and personality of the dentist and his or her personnel. Here are some points to consider when choosing a dentist:

1. What are your current dental challenges and what dental procedures do you foresee having done in the next ten years?

If you have perfect teeth and are only seeking a dental office where you can go a couple of times a year for a routine dental cleaning, then you will only require a general dentist. A good general Dentist Silver SpringMD is fairly easy to find. On the other hand, if you have a toothache, dental decay, a history of periodontal disease, one or more missing teeth, or cosmetic imperfections in your smile that you wish to alleviate, you will obviously be spending more time in the dental chair. You will likely require the work of a cosmetic dentist, periodontist, implant dentist, or orthodontist. You should seek out a dental office that offers a wide array of services, more than one dentist, and/or a dentist who specializes in the specific type of work that you require.

2. How far is the dentist’s office from your home or your workplace?

Look up the address of any dental clinic you are planning to visit, drive to the physical location before setting up an appointment if possible, or use internet or GPS technology such as Google maps to find dental offices within a certain radius from your home or workplace. If you are going to be visiting the dentist multiple times for cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, or orthodontic work, you will likely want to find a dental clinic that is only a short drive from where you normally go during your daily routine. If the dentist’s office is too far away, it can become far too easy to just cancel an upcoming appointing because you don’t want to or can’t make the long drive.

3. Ask the people in your social networks.

If you require the work of a specialist, such as an implant dentist, you may have to go beyond asking your immediate friends and family if they have some implant Silver Spring Dentist that they recommend. However, if you check your online social networks, such as Yelp reviews, twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others, you will likely find people in your area who have reviewed local dental specialists. You can usually tell a real online review from a fake one. Use your best judgment, and always interview two or three dentists before making a large financial commitment.