It is totally legal for a general dentist with no training in cosmetic dentistry to call themselves cosmetic dentists. This article explains how to find a true cosmetic dentist to help you have the best smile in NYC.
The definition of a cosmetic dentist is a licensed dentist who deals with specific dental procedures that are done to aesthetically enhance the appearance of a person’s gumline as well as their teeth and smile. Since practically everyone has some imperfection in their smile that could be improved upon with a little cosmetic dental work, the field of cosmetic dentistry is rapidly growing. More patients are seeking the help of a cosmetic dentist in NYC, and more dentists are branding themselves as cosmetic dentists.
A general dentist in NYC may only deal with issues of dental caries, dental hygiene, and similar issues that are becoming less of a problem for the average person because most people know to brush and floss their teeth daily, and toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, and dental rinses are widely available. On the other hand, more people are looking for a good cosmetic dentist who can help their smile look brighter, fix misaligned or badly discolored teeth, and just in general do some procedures that can allow one to feel more confident about smiling and laughing. A cosmetic dentist can help an unconfident person who consciously never smiles for fear of showing their teeth to actually feel proud of the way their teeth look when they smile or laugh.
However, unfortunately since so many general dentists are eager to attract new patients -- especially those willing to pay cash for pricier procedures to make them physically more attractive -- there are far too many dentists in New York who are doing cosmetic dentistry with little to no training in the field. Since this is an unregulated dental specialty for the most part, it is perfectly legal for any dentist to name themselves a cosmetic dentist.
This is where it is up to the consumer to be savvy when choosing a cosmetic dentist. If you want to achieve the most beautiful smile possible, you will want to seek out a cosmetic dentist who has been through the most rigorous training available in the field today. Therefore, you should seek out a cosmetic dentist who is certified by the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry. However, if you are not in need of “the best of the best,” and you do not foresee that you will need a lot of work done (such as periodontal surgery for a gum lift, jaw surgery, lip surgery, or anything more drastic), you may want to seek out a cosmetic dentist who has been through a training program and has at least obtained some kind of training in cosmetic dental procedures. Be sure any cosmetic dentist you interview is upfront about his or her training and credentials (which should be visibly posted on the wall somewhere in his office), and is eager to show you several before and after photos of past clients.
Any dentist in New York who is not willing to show you several before and after photos of past clients is clearly hiding something. Be skeptical of every dentist you interview, even if you get along with their personality. A person may have an impressive office, friendly personnel, and a great bedside manner, but if he or she is lacking the credentials and proof of clinical experience in cosmetic dental work, it is not worth the risk.
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