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By: Patricia Woloch
Your smile can make or break the first impression you leave people with. According to a study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentists (AACD), people with a better smile seem not only more attractive, but also kinder and more intelligent. If you have a smile that's less than perfect, the inevitable consequences can include damage to your personal relationships, impairment of your career advancement, and a loss of social esteem.
But deciding to get our smile fixed opens up the problem of finding a dentist we trust to do the work. With something this important, we want to know that our smile is going to look great, that we won't be sold a faucet when all we need is a washer, and that the solution will not keep our teeth from functioning properly, which is just as important as their appearance. After all, there are so many dentists around, especially in the Orange County and Los Angeles area around Anaheim Hills.
You have to find a dentist who is competent and experienced in performing a wide range of cosmetic dentistry procedures, including dental bonding, cosmetic fillings, tooth whitening, and porcelain veneers, sure, but you must also find someone you are comfortable working with. After all, you will have to open up to this person, both literally and figuratively. To get the best results, you have to be honest about what you want fixed about your smile, something you can't do if you don't wholly trust the person.
Nothing Ever Gets Finished unless It Gets Started
Although it may seem daunting to find someone who is both competent and caring, you can start small. First, drop a mention that you're thinking about having the work done to some friends and family. If anyone has had any work done and would recommend their practitioner, you've lucked out. Not only can you get personal testimony from someone you trust, but you can actually look up-close at the dentist's work.
If you're not so fortunate, you have to go the harder route.
· Search online
· Look in the phone book
· Ask your physician or even a general dentist if they recommend anyone
Especially in the huge metropolitan area of Los Angeles and Orange County surrounding Anaheim Hills, these methods are likely to give you several dentists to choose from. If your physician or GD gives you a recommendation, put that cosmetic dentist at the top of your list, but don't make your decision yet.
Study the Cosmetic Dentists' Websites
Nowadays, most cosmetic dentists will have a website. You will want to look at the sites for all the dentists on your list, but don't be fooled by how the website looks. You want a dentist whose website is not only cosmetic, but functional, just like you want your smile to be. If a cosmetic dentist's website is misleading or inaccurate, it shows a lack of care, although a website can be sparse and still be good. In particular, look for:
· Before and after pictures, especially current ones
· Testimonials by patients
· The dentist's education, training, and experience
· The dentist's professional affiliations, especially positions showing they are respected by other dentists
· Descriptions of procedures you think you might need done
Write down notes, including any questions you might have, and begin to prepare for the next step.
Schedule Complimentary Consultations
Most cosmetic dentists offer free initial consultations, and you should make several to find out which dentist you would like to work with. Take all the information you gained from the website and your list of questions. Be sure to ask the dentist:
· About his/her education and training
· Whether the images on the website are actual patients or models
· For contact information from former patients or, at least, testimonials
· Whether s/he is just cosmetic or if s/he practices other areas of dentistry
· What types of veneers, crowns, and bonding s/he uses and why
· What is his/her comfort level with the various procedures
· Whether you will get to see him/her throughout the course of your treatment
Make careful observations of the office when you're there. Note its condition and the condition of the patients, both before and after they see the dentist. Arrive early for your appointment to observe how long and how many patients are kept waiting.
You should not just choose the first cosmetic dentist you go to. You should visit several to establish a basis for comparison and choose the one that instills in you the greatest level of comfort and confidence.
About the Author
If you are looking for an experienced and well-trained cosmetic dentist in Anaheim Hills, you might start with Dr. Joseph Henry at the Orange Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. Come take a look at our website and then schedule your free initial consultation. You don't want to miss an opportunity to save the world with your smile!
(ArticlesBase SC #268845)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Find the Cosmetic Dentist, Get the Smile, Save the Universe
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