A dentist is essentially a doctor who cares for your teeth, but frequently the services they offer fall beyond health concerns. Your smile has a certain aesthetic value, and a doctor who specializes in improving the same can help perfect the way your teeth and gums appear. Such a specialist is called a cosmetic dentist, and here are some tips for finding the right one near you in Albuquerque.

Take the referral route

Referrals are a good starting point for finding the good cosmetic dentist in Albuquerque. Friends, family, or colleagues who have recently had a cosmetic procedure performed, and who are happy with the same, can point you to the best dentist in Albuquerque. To know further about the specialist, you can check the clinic website, browse through online patient reviews, call up the doctor’s office, or even schedule a preliminary consultation.

Review credentials

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t officially recognized as a specialty, and any dentist can tag themselves a cosmetic dentist even if they perform the basic minimal cosmetic or restorative treatments. However, professional doctors are often backed by valid credentials, including a membership of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. They also have training from good dentistry schools and invest a good amount of time to continuing education to keep themselves abreast with the latest practices and advanced technologies in cosmetic dentistry. The cosmetic dentists Albuquerque may perform other dental procedures, but their practice is predominantly focused on making your smile appear better and more beautiful.

Ask for before-after photos

Cosmetic dentistry has a lot to do with visual appearances, and so, it is extremely common for dentists specializing in this domain to collate photos of their patients before and after the treatment or procedure. Such photographs can be extremely helpful in identifying the expertise of the doctor. However, it is also important to be careful about the use of retouched or stock photos on websites. For better evaluation, you could ask the dentist to give you referrals of patients that you could personally speak to.

Check for preview options and use of latest technology

Rapid advancements being made in the field of cosmetic dentistry, such as clear braces, make it possible for you to preview your treatment results even before you begin the same. The doctors may also be able to give you physical mock ups in case digital solutions aren’t available. Check if your prospective dentist offers any such option that can help you evaluate your treatment plan in advance. Also, see if the dentist uses the latest technologies like digital X-rays, chair-side monitors, intraoral cameras, and the like. Having them can up your treatment cost a bit but can pay off in terms of the quality of cosmetic or restorative procedures performed.

Communicate clearly using a list

It is typical to have a lot of things on your mind about your teeth and the way they appear. It is equally important that whatever concerns you have about your smile, and whatever you would like different, you communicate clearly with the prospective cosmetic dentist. For this, when scheduling a preliminary consultation, remember to list down all your queries, thoughts, or approaches that you would like with respect to the treatment or procedure. Evaluate how the dentist can help you resolve them, specifically if there is a different treatment option, plan, or approach in mind. This is important because clear communication can eliminate the hassles of different-than-expected results and ensure that you make the maximum of what the dentist has to offer. During the exercise, also remember to see how comfortable you feel at the office and when interacting with the practitioner. A less-than-satisfactory experience can prove to be a hurdle as you progress with your treatment, making it difficult for you, as well as the dentist, to bring out the desired changes to your smile.

To summarize, finding a good cosmetic dentist in Albuquerque requires an evaluation of the training and expertise, accreditation, patient feedback, and previous work. It is also important to simultaneously review the doctor’s treatment philosophy as well as your convenience and comfort levels when visiting the clinic. A clinic whose staff and doctors make you feel welcome and well-cared for will ultimately provide a good experience.