7 Questions to Ask During Your Next Appointment With a Cosmetic Dentist

So you have booked your first cosmetic dentist appointment and are looking forward to finally getting that smile that you have always wanted. While this may be an exciting time, it can also be a little scary. You have seen an episode or two of "Botched" and you certainly do not want to have any sad stories to tell about how your treatment went horribly wrong and left you with a worse smile than before.

What can you do about it?

The only way is to come prepared for your appointment. Here are seven questions that need to be presented to a cosmetic dentist before a treatment or procedure is agreed upon.

1. What accreditation does the dentist have?

No one wants to put a treatment that is going to have a profound effect on their face in the hands of a doctor who does not have the right qualifications. Ask this question first or, if this feels a little invasive, there is an easier way to get this information.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry has a database where patients can search and find dentists and their accreditation information. This tool can also help to check for other dentists near an area and their qualifications.

2. What procedure does the dentist recommend?

Most patients arrive at a doctor’s office with a particular procedure in mind. Although doing research on different procedures is important, asking the qualified doctor about their recommendation is also a smart move. Since they have been doing it for many years, and they know which treatments will give the patient the best results.

3. What alternatives are there to this procedure?

Cosmetic procedures have improved immensely over the past few years. Patients are no longer limited to just one or two options. Chances are, there are a variety of options that can help achieve the desired look. Discussing possible alternatives will help any patient make the best choice for themselves.

4. What is the cost and is financing available?

Asking this question will help determine which procedure best suits a patient’s budget and lifestyle.

5. Are there before and after pictures from previous patients for you to preview?

Having a clear understanding of the potential results is important not only for the patient but for the doctor as well, because they want to make sure that the patient will be happy with the outcome.

6. Are there any potential side effects?

Depending on the procedure, there could be a number of side effects that a patient might experience. It is therefore important to understand this before getting any treatment.

7. How long will the results last?

A follow-up question to this can also be, "What steps can I take to make sure that my new smile is maintained?"

Everybody wants a great smile that they can be proud of. While the potential of getting those perfectly straight pearly whites you have always dreamed of is exciting, it is also important to protect yourself. You need to do your research so that you get the best possible results.

Contact one of our cosmetic dentists to explore your options when it comes to restoring your smile.

Let's get started

Request a dental appointment here: https://jacksonheightdental.com or call 82nd St. Dental at (718) 709-3883 for an appointment in our Jackson Heights dental office.