One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if yours is full of flaws, you might give off the wrong impression. Thankfully, your dentist can provide several different cosmetic services to enhance your appearance.
However, before you can proceed with any elected procedures, you must first schedule a consultation with your provider. They’ll use this opportunity to establish your medical history, discuss your goals, and examine your mouth for any issues that may need to be addressed before moving forward. This is also the perfect time for you to bring up any burning questions you may have. If you’re unsure what to ask, keep reading to learn 3 things you should know before getting started!
Question #1: What Are Your Qualifications?
Although all dentists are highly qualified professionals, they can have vastly different levels of experience. You might worry that you’ll insult your provider by asking about their comfortability in providing specific treatments, but typically, they want you to feel confident and calm during your procedure and are happy to share their qualifications. They know you’re trying to establish trust and will do everything they can to assure you that you’re in good hands.
You can also ask for before and after photographs to visually see the real-life results they’ve provided for other patients.
Question #2: What Will the Results Be Like?
It’s important to have an accurate idea of what to expect from any cosmetic dental treatment you undergo to make an informed decision about the future of your smile. For example, if you’re considering an option like veneers, you might ask what they’ll look and feel like once placed. After all, you wouldn’t want to invest time and resources into a procedure just to be displeased with the outcome after the fact.
You can also ask whether any special preparation is involved, what recovery looks like, and how long the procedure usually takes.
Question #3: What Will It Cost?
Because cosmetic dentistry is intended to enhance your appearance more than your oral health, most insurance companies don’t cover the cost of these services. That means you’ll likely be personally responsible for the total amount due when everything’s said and done. Your provider and their team can give you a detailed estimate for the anticipated expenditures once they’ve examined your mouth based on your goals. If you’re concerned about budget, you can ask whether they offer flexible financing or other options to help make treatments more affordable.
Your initial cosmetic consultation appointment is the perfect time to have an honest conversation with your dentist about your concerns and what you hope to achieve so they know how to help you!
About the Author
Dr. Huy Nguyen offers a full range of services to help families build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his Master’s in Oral Health Sciences and Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry at Boston University. Now, he takes the time to get to know patients of all ages so that he can create fully individualized treatment plans to meet their unique needs. He combines a personal, professional approach with state-of-the-art equipment to help you feel comfortable while providing accurate results intended to last. If you’d like a cosmetic consultation, you can request an appointment on the website or call (207) 846-3966.