For the most part, cosmetic dental treatments are exciting. After all, you could be on your way to a beautified smile! However, sometimes even when there’s nothing to fear, nerves take over and make it difficult to think of questions. That’s not an ideal position to be in during your consultation. Don’t worry, though – take these five questions with you, and you’ll come away with the most important highlights.
#1. How Do My Dental Cosmetic Options Compare?
There are plenty of smile-enhancing treatments to choose from, after all. Depending on your goals, your dentist might have multiple options in mind. For example, both porcelain veneers and a teeth whitening can brighten your teeth. Which one will be the better treatment for you depends on your preferences, and for that, you need to know how the two compare!
#2. What’s the Plan, Doc?
Once you have a specific treatment in mind, you’ll want to know what it involves. Some cosmetic dental options can be performed in just one office visit. Others require a few more. And depending on what your dentist notices during your oral evaluation, you may need to take care of other complications first. Your dentist will lay out all the details so you know what to expect.
#3. How Long Will My Treatment Take?
On a similar note, it’s important to be able to budget your schedule. You can’t request the appropriate days off from work if you’re not sure how long it will take to complete your treatment! This can work in reverse too. If you have a busy calendar, your dentist may be able to offer alternatives with shorter treatment times – like CEREC same-day crowns or in-office teeth whitening instead of a more gradual take-home whitening.
#4. What Are My Payment Options?
Ah, the question that everyone thinks about but is often too afraid to ask. If you’re worried about your smile dreams being shattered by the number of zeros on a bill, take a deep breath. Many dentists offer multiple payment options, such as low-interest financing with CareCredit or in-house dental savings plans. Cosmetic dentistry can be made affordable, even for those who don’t have dental insurance.
#5. How Can I Best Prepare for Treatment?
While most cosmetic dental treatments don’t require you to do much prep-work beforehand, there are things you can do to help the process go more smoothly. Your dentist might suggest doubling-down on your oral hygiene routine for porcelain veneers, skipping your morning coffee in the days leading up to your teeth whitening, or taking ibuprofen before getting fitted for Invisalign trays. Asking for advice is always a good way to wrap up!
Sometimes you can be as well-prepared as a boy scout and still forget to ask something or other. Fortunately, your cosmetic dentist is on your side. You can always call them with questions about your upcoming treatment. They’ll be happy to address your concerns!
About the Author
Dr. Cedric Chenet earned his dental degree from Howard University in Washington DC. During his time as a dental officer for the US Air Force, he received advanced training in several different types of dentistry – this makes him particularly well-suited for helping you form a treatment plan for your smile goals! If you have questions about cosmetic dentistry or would like to schedule a consultation, call Dr. Chenet’s office at 321-253-3136.