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.