Questions to ask your dentist before you get cosmetic work

Getting cosmetic dental work done is a big step. Your smile really matters – otherwise you wouldn’t be thinking about getting your teeth fixed. Many treatments are complex, and you’ll be making a big investment in time as well as money. So it goes without saying that you need to trust the dentist who’ll be doing the work. There are a lot of different cosmetic dental treatments available, and you need the right one for you. That’s why you must do some research before committing yourself in order to ensure you get the right dentist and the right treatment.

We’ve put together some questions to ask your dentist before you decide to have cosmetic work done, which will help you choose the right dentist as well as the right treatment.

What are the available options for cosmetic treatment?

Through your own research, you’ve probably decided which treatment you think you need. But there may be other options you haven’t considered. There are constant innovations in cosmetic dentistry, and you may not even be aware of a new treatment that could really help you. Cosmetic dentists usually offer a number of different treatments and will be able to tell you about the options that could be suitable.

What are the pros and cons of each particular treatment?

Knowing what the pros and cons of treatments are will help you decide what to do. You may want to improve the overall look of your teeth by getting porcelain veneers but aren’t happy with the fact that they’re permanent and irreversible. When you know all the facts, you can make a better-informed decision.

Which treatment would you recommend?

Whatever treatment you initially ask for, a good dentist will recommend the one that will produce the best results for you. So if you think you know which treatment you want, be prepared to be flexible about it as there may be one that’s even better!

How long will the treatment take?

How long a treatment will take will depend on the current state of your teeth. If you would like teeth straightening treatment, for example, the final results could take as little as a few weeks or as long as six months to achieve.

How many times will I need to come to the surgery during the treatment?

If you’re having a treatment that takes several weeks or months, your dentist will need to check on your progress. Some check-ups can be done via a video call, but some could involve the need to visit the surgery, especially if your dentist needs to undertake minor work to improve the outcome.

How long will the results last, and is there anything I can do to make them last longer?

You’ll obviously want your results to last as long as possible, but you must factor in wear and tear. So not only do you need a realistic idea of how long you can expect the results to last, it’s also a good idea to find out what you can do in order to make them last longer. For example, you could increase the effectiveness of teeth whitening by avoiding doing things that will stain your teeth such as smoking, or drinking tea, coffee and red wine.

What if I decide not to have a treatment at all?

On reflection, you might not feel comfortable going through with any of the treatments on offer. But before you make your final decision, ask your dentist how doing nothing would affect your teeth in the long run.

What experience do you have doing the treatment?

Feel free to ask your dentist about their general dental experience as well as their cosmetic dentistry experience. Also ask about their experience with the particular treatment they’re recommending – if it’s a new treatment, find out more about their training.

How much will it cost?

This is probably the first question you wanted to ask! You’ll probably have been given a general idea of the final cost from your initial phone call, but the consultation might have uncovered problems that will need additional work and that will affect the final quote.

Remember that a consultation with a cosmetic dentist works both ways. While your dentist is working out which treatment is right for you, you will be assessing whether you’re happy for them to do the work. If you’re not comfortable with them, find another dentist you are happy with.

Click here to book your consultation at our clinic near Harley Street and discover what we can do with your smile.