Recently, you have been thinking about enhancing your smile with veneers or another type of cosmetic dentistry. To figure out what kind of treatment you should pursue, you have scheduled a cosmetic consultation with your dentist. How should you prepare for this visit? One thing you can do is make a list of all the questions that you want to have answered before moving forward with the cosmetic dentistry process. If you need help coming up with questions to ask, here are 4 examples.
1. What Can I Realistically Expect?
The last thing you want is to commit to a cosmetic dentistry treatment only to be disappointed by the final appearance of your smile. As such, you should make sure that you have a firm grasp of what you can expect the outcome to look like.
Let your dentist know what your cosmetic goals are; they can give you a detailed explanation of what kinds of improvements you might realistically see. You can also ask if they have before or after photos of past cases. This can give you a chance to see the results of certain treatments for yourself.
2. How Long Will the Cosmetic Dentistry Process Take?
Some cosmetic treatments can be completed in a single appointment while others may take two or more visits. During your initial consultation, you should definitely take the opportunity to ask what the timeline of the process will look like and what steps will be involved.
3. How Much Will I Need to Pay for Cosmetic Dentistry?
There are many different cosmetic dental treatments to choose from, and each one has a different price. A patient who wants to have veneers placed likely won’t end up paying the same cost as someone undergoing professional teeth whitening. Your dentist can give you an estimate of how much you will need to pay for a specific treatment.
4. How Long Will My New Smile Last?
Some cosmetic dental treatments have a longer lifespan than others. For example, cosmetic dental bonding often lasts between 3 to 10 years; meanwhile, veneers can potentially stay in your mouth for 15 years or more before they have to be replaced.
Be sure to ask your dentist how long you can expect the results of your cosmetic dental treatment will last. They may also be able to give you tips for taking care of your smile so that you can maintain the results of your cosmetic procedure for as long as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Nicholas Brong earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco, and he has completed various advanced education and training courses. His Rochester practice, Zumbro Family Dental, offers veneers along with various other cosmetic dental treatments. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Brong, visit his website or call (507) 288-1066.
