Whether you are looking to improve the overall appearance of your teeth, fix a small issue or have a complete smile makeover, the key to achieving the results you desire is finding the right cosmetic dentist.
Here are some key criteria, tips, information and points to help you find a cosmetic dentist in Essex that will help deliver the beautiful, natural smile you’ve always wanted.
● What do you want?
Before you even begin your search, it is a good idea to have a proper think about what exactly you are hoping to change about your teeth and what bothers you about your smile. Of course, your dentist will be able to best advise you on what type of treatments will achieve the best results but if you are ready with a clear idea of what you want then it will make finding the right cosmetic dentist that much easier.
● Referrals and recommendations
Do you have friends, family or colleagues that you know who have had cosmetic dental treatment recently and are happy with their results? Or maybe you could ask your regular dentist for a referral for a cosmetic dentist who can fulfil your dental needs. However, remember that just because they are recommended, doesn’t mean that you should just jump into having treatment with them. It is always important to do your due diligence and ensure that you are making the right choice.
● Reviews
Whether it’s via Facebook, Google, Trust Pilot or testimonials on their website, it is well worth taking the time to properly read through reviews from patients that will be able to give you an overall picture of the service they provide. Of course, there may be the odd negative review so be sure to take everything you read into account and what reviews are relevant for the dentist and not just the overall practice.
● Website and social media
Any potential dentists should be checked out online by looking at their website and any social media platforms.
− What does their website look like? Is it modern or outdated? The answer to this can give a lot of insight into the professionalism of the dental surgery and the dentists themselves.
− Are there before and after photos? This is a great chance to take a look at some of their work and the results they were able to achieve for other patients.
− Does it have helpful information? Most well-maintained dental websites will include things such as the types of services they offer, information on their dental clinicians and staff and in some cases even a rough price list all of which can come in handy.
● Qualifications and credentials
What are the potential dentists educational and professional qualifications? A good cosmetic dentist will not just stop at qualifying in their field but continuously improve on their education with things such as courses and seminars in order to keep up to date with the latest cosmetic dental treatments, tools, materials and techniques.
Cosmetic dentistry is not something that is achieved through a qualification but rather through years of training courses. It is therefore important to ensure that they have the proper credentials to back up their claim of being a ‘cosmetic dentist’.
Are they affiliated with any professional organisations such as the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry? If they are then this is a very positive sign that they are in fact very good at what they do and have the skills to back it up.
● Consultation
Once you have done your research and found a cosmetic dentist that ticks all the boxes then you will want to book in for an initial consultation. Make sure you are prepared and if necessary, write down any questions you want to ask so that you can feel 100% comfortable with your decision. Do not rush, take your time and clearly list any concerns you may have. This will help you to gauge the communication of the dentist in person, if they put you at ease and whether you feel confident in their abilities to deliver the results you want.
Even after the consultation you do not have to go with them if you feel like it isn’t the right fit, so if you aren’t sure then tell them that you need to think about it before committing to a treatment plan or putting down any deposits.