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What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic Dentistry is the art and science of designing wonderful smiles. It combines all aspects of general dentistry with a special emphasis on aesthetics to assure that individual teeth as well as your smile look their very best.
Should I Consider Cosmetic Dentistry?
Look carefully at your smile. If you feel it could be better, you should consider Cosmetic Dentistry. Being certain that your smile makes you look your best will give you confidence in your everyday activities while improving your professional and personal image.
Can I afford Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic Dentistry offers many different options. Some patients require treatments that are relatively easy and inexpensive. Others need more extensive restorations to reach their goals. Dr. Foley will review the treatment plan with you in detail and answers any questions you have before treatment begins. This allows you to thoroughly understand the procedure and the financial obligations. Dr. Foley is happy to discuss treatment or any accompanying aspect of treatment at any point during the process as questions arise. If it is needed, financing is also available.
How long does it take to get a new smile?
Although each case is unique, some smiles are completed in a single visit. Most, however, take just a few weeks for full treatment.
What types of problems does Cosmetic Dentistry solve?
If your teeth are dark or worn, make you look older, if gaps or chips make you feel self-conscious, or if crooked or discolored teeth stop you from smiling fully, Cosmetic Dentistry can help. The negative effects of abnormal gum tissue or out of date dental treatments are also problems that can be corrected with Cosmetic Dentistry.
Will it Hurt?
There are few issues in our practice that have received as much emphasis as this one. Today, with much better equipment, increased technology, better medications, and our added luxury comfort features, patients are much more comfortable during their treatment. After we have a treatment plan outlined, questions about discomfort and pain control can be easily be answered. There is no need to put off cosmetic procedures, and certainly not needed dental care, because of past fears of pain. We now offer sedation dentistry to ease those who want the benefits of Cosmetic Dentistry, pain-frees. We would be happy to show you what sedation dentistry offers.
How do I know I'm going to the RIGHT Cosmetic Dentist?
There are many things to consider when choosing who your dentist will be. It is natural to want the best care available when it comes to your dental health. To help you determine where you can receive the care that you deserve, we've included some tips to consider when selecting your dentist.
1. Explore Your Options
There is no reason to rush when doing Cosmetic Dentistry. Because you want to finish with a perfect smile, you should spend time learning about the available procedures and the different materials and techniques that can be offered as options for your treatment. By understanding these options, you will be more comfortable with the treatment you receive.
2. Post Graduate Cosmetic Dental Training
Technical skill, an artistic eye, and a rigorous program of post-graduate training allow the dentist to perform the procedures at the highest level. It may be surprising to learn that many dentists have not received any cosmetic education, or just a simple introduction to cosmetics in their dental education. Your mouth is not the place for a untrained dentist to experiment with cosmetics. It is crucial that your Cosmetic Dentist has continued to learn more about dentistry even after their formal dental schooling has ended. If a dentist does not continually learn about improvements in the field, the rapid evolution of dental technology will pass them by and they will not be able to provide you with the best treatment. Learn what type of post-graduate schooling your dentist has completed to ensure your dental experience is of the highest quality.
3. Professional Credentials
In dentistry, just as in many professional fields, there are specialties that require a higher education, greater expertise, and advanced knowledge. While the ADA (American Dental Association) does not recognize cosmetic dentistry as a specific field, the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) was formed in 1984 to provide dentists a way to earn professional credentials through hours of continuing education, rigorous testing, and numerous case studies. Check to see if your dentist has completed any higher education to earn professional credentials.
4. Integrity
It your dentist's job to evaluate your oral health, and to communicate their assessment of your needs to you. They should also tell you everything about a treatment plan, including the length of recovery time. Often dentists shorten recovery time estimates to make procedures seem more simple than they truly are. Make sure your dentist is thorough when telling you about a procedure. Be sure the timeline they give you for your treatment includes a full recovery time.
5. A Caring Approach & Clear Communication
It takes significant amount of trust to allow someone to work in your mouth. You should find someone who truly cares about your personal hygiene. This caring attitude allows you to appreciate your dentist as a person and as a doctor. By being fully comfortable with your Cosmetic Dentist you will be more confident in the work they do and you will have an easier time communicating with them. Not only should your dentist be able to explain any treatment they will be doing, but they should also be active listeners; clearly understanding any concerns you may have, and thus allowing the two of you to reach your common goal: providing you with the smile you want.
6. Perfectionism
Cosmetic Dentistry is all about appearance. The purpose of Cosmetic Dentistry is to correct appearance and make beautiful smiles, including not only your teeth, but your gums, lips, and facial structure. It is only possible to make your smile perfect if your Cosmetic Dentist is precise in their work, has a meticulous eye for perfection, and only accepts the highest quality results. Perfection can only be reached through attention to detail and time. Your Cosmetic Dentist should not settle for anything less than the best in order to create the perfect smile for you.
7. An Artistic Touch
Excellent cosmetic dentistry requires a well developed aesthetic sense. Your cosmetic dentist should have an artist's eye, combining what looks natural with what makes you have a beautiful smile. It is crucial that your cosmetic dentist use a high quality dental laboratory that produces the highest quality dental restorations. Ask your Cosmetic Dentist if the dental laboratory they use is a member of the American Association of Cosmetic Dentist (AACD). This will ensure that your restorations have been made by someone who also has studied and learned the art of Cosmetic Dentistry.
8. Extensive Smile Design Experience
Just because your Cosmetic Dentist has completed training to become a member of the AACD, it does not mean they have much experience designing and creating beautiful smiles. Ask your Cosmetic Dentist how many experiences they have had with the dental work they are performing on you. For instance, if you are getting veneers, ask your Cosmetic Dentist how many veneers they have placed. Quality work comes from experience, and if your dentist has years of experience, they will perform quality work.
9. Review Before and After Photos to See your Dentist's Previous Work
You should ask your dentist to see before and after photos of their work. Just as you wouldn't buy a car without seeing it, you shouldn't engage the services of a dentist without seeing the work they perform first. If your dentist shows you a photo album of smiles, ask to be sure they are photos of their own patients and their own work. Beware of commercially produced photo albums that dentists can buy as marketing tools. These photo albums are generic and do not reflect the actual work your dentist has preformed.
10. Other Considerations
There are just a few other things to consider when choosing your dentist...
-Ask other patients how their experience with the dentist has been.
-Ask to take a tour of the dentist's office, including sterilization areas, to ensure that proper procedures are in place.
-Ask your dentist about the current technology and materials they use. If your dentist is not utilizing the latest technology and materials, you will not receive the best possible treatment available.
-Check with the State to ensure that there haven't been any complaints or adverse State Dental Board actions involving your dentist. In Tennessee you can do this by logging on to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry Website.
How do I get started?
Your first step is a Cosmetic Consultation. Together, you and Dr. Foley can evaluate your smile and discuss your goals and options for your treatment. By telling Dr. Foley what you want your smile to look like, she is able to create the smile you have always wanted. If you haven't already, call today to schedule your Cosmetic Consultation or drop by and schedule your consultation in person. The appointment desk is waiting to help you at (615)591-0294, or you can request an appointment online. Let us show you how Cosmetic Dentistry can give you a better, brighter, younger smile! |
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