How To Choose a Cosmetic Dentist in Mandeville – Your Step-By-Step Guide

Do dull teeth have you down? Do you avoid smiling around others because of gaps in your smile? Are you self-conscious about the shape or size of your teeth? If so, cosmetic dentistry in Mandeville might be right for you.

But cosmetic dentistry can be a big investment, and there are lots of dentists out there who say they can help you transform your teeth and smile proudly once again. How can you make the right choice and find a dentist who will help you reach your goals? It’s easy – just follow the seven simple tips in this guide from Allure Dental.

1. Start By Thinking About Your Smile Goals

Above all else, cosmetic dentistry is personal. Nobody has the exact same smile goals, dental health history, or issues with their teeth. So it’s a good idea to think about your smile goals and figure out what treatments might be right for you. Here’s a quick list of some common cosmetic issues and the procedures that are often used to treat them:

• Fixing gapped/crooked teeth—If you have only minor cosmetic gaps or a few crooked teeth, treatments like veneers or composite bonding may be a good option. For more severe issues, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign is usually the right choice.

• Reshaping small or misshapen teeth – Dental composite bonding, porcelain veneers, and cosmetic crowns may all be good options for reshaping and resizing your teeth.

• Replacing old dental work – Porcelain crowns are typically the best choice for replacing old, worn-out metal fillings and crowns. They restore your appearance and protect your oral health, too!

• Repairing damaged or unhealthy teeth—If you have a severely damaged or infected tooth, you may need additional treatments, such as a root canal, before you can repair it with a porcelain dental crown.

• Replacing missing teeth – Dental implants are the best way to permanently replace one or more missing teeth. Other options typically include dental bridges and partial dentures.

• Reversing tooth stains/yellowing: Teeth whitening is the fastest, simplest, and cheapest way to brighten your smile. However, if you have deep or severe stains, alternatives like veneers may be a better option.

By doing a little bit of your own research, you can learn more about all of these options and get a better idea of which procedures may be right for your own smile makeover.

2. Research Local Cosmetic Dentists & Their Credentials

Next, it’s time to find a local cosmetic dentist in Mandeville who can help you achieve your smile goals! A great place to start is by asking family and friends or on social media for recommendations.

But of course, the internet is also a great place to find dentists. With a little bit of Googling, you can find plenty of cosmetic dentists in the area. Once you’ve got a couple of names on your list, it’s time to visit their websites and dig a little deeper.

Cosmetic dentistry is a bit different from some other dental specialties. Technically, any dentist who graduates with a dental degree can perform cosmetic procedures like veneer placement, teeth whitening, or even dental implants. But that doesn’t mean they're specialists or that they have much experience providing cosmetic care.

In general, you want to avoid choosing a dentist who doesn’t specialize in cosmetic care. They may do a good job, but their results may not look as realistic, lifelike, or convincing as a cosmetic specialist. But how do you choose a specialist when any dentist can offer cosmetic care?

The easiest way is to look for dentists who are members of cosmetic organizations such as the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED) or the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Both of these organizations are dedicated to excellence in cosmetic care, and to providing continuing education to dentists who want to provide the best possible aesthetic results for patients.

Depending on the cosmetic services you’re interested in, you may also want to look for a cosmetic dentist in Mandeville with additional training in dental implants or Invisalign/ClearCorrect. In most cases, you can find these credentials right on their website.

3. Take A Look at Past Patient Stories & Photos

Seeing is believing, right? If you like what you see on a dentist’s website and check out their credentials, you should also look for past patient testimonials and “before-and-after” photos—like the Smile Stories and the Smile Gallery that we publish at Allure Dental.

By reading about past patient experiences and seeing real results, you can get a better understanding of what a dentist has to offer. For example, if you have a complicated case and may need multiple treatments, you can see if a particular dentist specializes in full-mouth restorations and smile makeovers.

You don’t just have to go to the dentist’s website, either. You can also take a look at patient reviews on websites like Google, Yelp, Facebook, and many more. These can give you some valuable insights into what to expect when you choose a particular dental practice.

4. Schedule An Office Tour or Virtual Visit

If you like a dentist’s website, their credentials, and the photo gallery and testimonials you’ve seen, your next step should be to schedule an office tour. Most cosmetic dentists will let you stop by, meet some of their staff members, and take a quick tour of their office before you commit to your first appointment. This lets you learn more about their amenities, technology, approach to care, the cosmetic dentistry services they offer, and much more.

Some cosmetic dentists also offer virtual visits, during which you can take a photo or a quick video of your smile, send it in, and receive a free assessment within a day or two. This is another good option if you’re not quite ready to commit to a particular dentist but would like to learn more about them and their approach to dental care.

5. Book Your First Cosmetic Consultation

If everything checks out and you like what you’re seeing from the dentist you’ve chosen, it’s time to schedule your first consultation. During your first visit, your new dentist will perform a comprehensive oral exam. Then, they’ll have an open and honest discussion about your smile with you.

What are your smile goals? What makes you the most uncomfortable with how your smile looks? Which treatments have you been considering? What’s your budget for cosmetic care? How quickly would you prefer to get results? These are the kinds of questions that your cosmetic dentist can help you answer during your initial consultation.

6. Get A Treatment Plan and Pricing Overview

Lots of patients are worried about how much cosmetic dental services will cost. This is definitely a good thing to discuss with your dentist! Once your initial consultation is over, your dentist will present you with their recommendations, as well as a pricing overview and a potential treatment schedule. Depending on your situation, you may even have multiple treatment options at different price points.  

Just remember that while cosmetic dentistry can have some high up-front costs, the investment in yourself is worth it! Treatments like dental veneers can easily last 10+ years with proper care, and can totally change how you feel about yourself. Not only that, but lots of dentists offer monthly payment plans so that you can transform your smile now and pay for your plan over time.

7. Commit To Your Cosmetic Dentist – Or Change Your Mind

If you’ve had a great experience with your new cosmetic dentist in Mandeville, you can commit to them, sign up for your treatment plan, and get started with your new smile. In just a few quick appointments, you can transform your teeth and change your life.

But if you’re not thrilled? That’s fine, too! After your cosmetic consultation, just let your dentist know you need some time to think it over. You can call them back if you’d like to commit – or go back to the drawing board and explore some of your other options for cosmetic dental services in the area. You’re the boss!

Ready To Get Started? Come To Allure Dental for a Visit!

If you’re ready to explore your options for cosmetic dentistry in Mandeville, Allure Dental is a great place to start. Dr. Daniela Eversgerd has 20+ years of experience in cosmetic dentistry, and she’s a proud member of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. She has also served as the Lead Clinical Instructor in veneer placement for the Aesthetic Excellence Course and is fully Invisalign-certified.

Whether you’d like a brighter smile or are ready to totally transform your teeth, Dr. Daniela and the team at Allure Dental are here to help. If you’re ready to get started today, schedule a Virtual Consultation with our team. All you need to do is submit a photo of your smile and a selfie, and then Dr. Eversgerd will send you a personalized video describing what the possibilities are to achieve the smile of your dreams!

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