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Qualifying Cosmetic Dentists

There is no foolproof way to choose a cosmetic dentist or to guarantee your results. However, there are things you can do to feel confident in your decision, and increase the likelihood that you have found a great dentist for cosmetic procedures.

Check with the appropriate dental licensing board in your state to see whether the dentist is licensed and whether disciplinary action has been taken against him. (We provide you with their contact information later in this section)
Check medical malpractice suits filed with the clerk of the county or circuit court in your area. This may require a visit to the courthouse to review files. Malpractice suits don't necessarily mean a doctor has problems, but consider three medical malpractice judgments against a doctor within five years to be a warning sign.
Verify credentials and training. Many dentists advertise they are "cosmetic dentists." There are many dentists that simply call themselves a cosmetic dentist, even though their practices perform very little of this type of dentistry. While before and after photos will give you some indication as to a dentist's skill, ask probing questions about how long they have been a cosmetic dentist and what steps they've taken to become a cosmetic dentist.
A dentist who is focused on cosmetic dentistry will have additional education and training in cosmetic procedures and techniques, may be a member of an organization for cosmetic dentistry (such as the The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry click here, the American Society of Dental Aesthetics click here, P.A.C.-Live click here, and the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies click here) and will have a practice that is primarily devoted to cosmetic dentistry patients. Make sure your doctor is experienced in the type of procedure you are considering. Use the two above links to learn what it takes for a dentist to become a Member, Accredited Member or Fellow of these organizations.
Ask the dentist how often he or she performs the procedure you want and what the complication rates are.
Ask for references from trusted family physicians or other doctors knowledgeable about the local medical community.
Ask whether the dentist carries medical malpractice insurance, and if not, why not? Malpractice insurance coverage can be verified by checking with the licensing board.
Don't feel pressured to agree to more procedures than you want without a second opinion, regardless of the price.
If you require anesthesia, ask if the person giving the anesthesia is properly certified.
Read the patient consent form carefully before signing it. Ask what steps the dentist will take if complications occur or further treatment is needed and what type of follow-up care will be given. Be thorough when discussing your expectations with your doctor. Proper communication before the procedure tends to result in greater satisfaction.
Before and after photos of a cosmetic dentist's work is a great way to see if they are as good as they say they are. But they are by no means a sole determining factor. These photos will show what they've done for others, which means they can probably do the same for you. Dentists that do not have a practice performing mostly cosmetic procedures are not likely to have these photos. When you review the photos, don't hesitate to ask the dentist what procedures were performed, how long it took, or how many steps were involved. If a cosmetic dentist offers pre-treatment imaging, ask to see the pre-treatment image of one of their before and after photos. This will give a good idea as to how accurate your pre-treatment image will be with this dentist.

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