Are you unhappy with the way that your smile looks? Dissatisfaction with the appearance of your teeth can negatively impact your overall confidence. Whether you notice recent cosmetic concerns or struggle with lifelong cosmetic dental issues, you can talk to your dentist to find a way to enhance the appearance of your smile.
You can have a more streamlined experience at your dentist’s office when you know what will occur during this appointment before you arrive. Read on to learn about what you can expect when you visit your dentist for an initial cosmetic dental consultation.
What Happens During an Initial Cosmetic Consult?
Oral Health Exam
Though you may schedule this appointment to discuss cosmetic dental solutions, your dentist will first want to check the health of your smile. They will look at your teeth and gums, checking for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, or other dental problems.
If they spot an issue, they can provide prompt treatment to resolve it before pursuing cosmetic treatments. You will have better results from this smile enhancement dental work if you have a healthy and stable foundation from your natural teeth to support it.
Smile Design Strategy
With a healthy smile in place, you and your dentist can then discuss ways to enhance the appearance of your smile. The dentist will consider your smile aesthetic goals along with your existing dental structure and your medical history. These will culminate in a personalized treatment plan that suits your unique smile.
The dentist will maintain open communication during this initial appointment as well as throughout the rest of your treatment. You can address any questions or concerns at this time.
Your dentist will make sure you understand each step of the process. This way, you can feel calm and knowledgeable once they begin the dental work. They can give you a good idea about what your smile will look like at the end of the treatment. This can instill further confidence in the process.
Scheduling Cosmetic Dental Treatment
With a smile strategy established, you can work with the front desk staff to schedule any necessary procedures that will get you the smile of your dreams. Depending on your unique treatment plan, you may need to visit the dentist more than once to achieve your final results.
Some procedures, like tooth bonding, can be completed within one session with your dentist. Treatments like porcelain veneers will need three or more appointments to complete the process. This specific solution requires preparation for the affected teeth, construction of the veneers, and placement of the fixtures on the teeth.
Your dentist may also have treatments that you must complete partially at home. Teeth whitening services will start with wearing custom-made whitening trays as directed from your home. Then you return to the dentist’s office to complete professional treatment until you reach your ideal tooth color. Invisalign aligners must also be worn in your own time. However, you will see your dentist for a few check-ups to monitor the teeth-straightening progress.