The Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry 

By: Arthur Glosman DDS

As much as everybody would love to have been given a genetically perfect smile from birth, the fact is that most of us weren’t so lucky. Our jaw may have developed out of alignment or been too small for our teeth, our teeth may have grown in oddly, or perhaps we just didn’t develop with certain teeth at all. Even those with the genetic makeup of a perfect smile may have gone through life experiences that left their smile damaged. Chips, cracks, poor oral hygiene, all could cause even the most beautiful smile to become visually flawed. It is in these situations that most people desire to fix their smile, to acquire or restore it to the dazzling one we all dream of having. Our first thought is to have our regular dentist examine our mouth and fix whatever is wrong. And this sometimes is okay, provided that your normal dentist practices cosmetic dentistry and further, that he/she does it very well. However, this is sadly often not the case.

The truth of the matter is that most cosmetic dentistry procedures can be done by any dentist; through a short convention, seminar, even a weekend training course can be considered enough for any dentist to perform procedures like porcelain veneers, dental implants, and even full smile makeovers. The question then is posed, would you want a person that had only two days training working to restore your smile to the brilliant one you imagine having? Would you want any professional with only two days training to work on something valuable of yours? You wouldn’t take your car to a mechanic for a transmission change if he’d only had two days worth of transmission-related training, and you certainly wouldn’t want your smile redesigned by a general dentist, or even a cosmetic dentist, that boasted only a two day course on cosmetic dentistry under their belt. But sadly, this often is what occurs when people are not mindful enough to question their chosen dentist’s experience and simply hunt for the dentist willing to perform the desired procedures cheapest. The unyielding fact behind great cosmetic dentistry is: you get what you pay for.

Cosmetic Dentistry: Investment for a Lifetime

What is the worth of a beautiful smile? A smile that is white and aligned, balanced and harmonic, complete and sparkling, can give a person the confidence to show that smile willingly and proudly to others which improves relations with those you associate with. Nobody hates a beautiful smile and sometimes receiving one from another person is all it takes to turn a mood around. Why would anybody want to hold back when striving for these qualities? Fancy televisions and cars may serve you well impressing your friends now, but they will get outdated quickly and lose their shimmer in the long run. A well crafted, expertly designed smile by a great cosmetic dentist will be with you your entire life. This is where your dollar counts folks.

When selecting a cosmetic dentist, there are many questions and aspects to examine:

- Is this cosmetic dentist artistic?
- What type of training has this cosmetic dentist had? 
- Where was this training given?
- Did this cosmetic dentist spend ample time discussing both his/her recommendations for me while taking into account my desires and feelings?
- How many times has this cosmetic dentist performed my planned procedure(s) with outstanding, real results?
- Has this cosmetic dentist been referred by others highly?  

A technical, non-artistic cosmetic dentist, while proficient, may leave you with a result you’re unhappy with due to poor artistic vision. Be sure to examine carefully pictures of past cases the cosmetic dentist has fixed and make sure they are real. Before and after pictures can be taken from a number of dental books and its important that the results you’re seeing are those of the cosmetic dentist you’re considering. The amount of training your cosmetic dentist has had and where it was given is crucial knowledge before allowing them to work on your teeth. Remember, competence does not equal quality. Ask where they received their training and then look into the program to make sure it’s trusted and of quality. 

Also ask if there are prior patients that your can call to give their account of their experience with this cosmetic dentist. Other people’s past experiences are invaluable information to have and may make or break your decision. Finally and perhaps most importantly, make sure your cosmetic dentist has left you comfortable with the treatment plan for your smile. Express clearly what you have in mind so they may work your goals into reality. If the cosmetic dentist poorly communicates to you what is to be done then it’s probably best to find another. It’s your smile and you should get the most out of the money you spend on it. 

Dr. Glosman DDS is a practicing aesthetic and reconstructive dentist located in Beverly Hills California. You can read more about him in the Summer 2009 Cosmetic Dentist Review at Dr Arthur Glosman Featured Cosmetic Dentist Review or visit his website at www.arthurglosmandds.com

by Dr A.G.