Many people seek or become lured by the promises of cosmetic dentistry. But, if you want a better smile, you should first speak to your regular dentist about it. There’s a lot your regular dentist can do for you, and a lot he or she can advise you of beforehand. Here’s how your regular dentist can help you.

What Kind of Work Do You Need? Maybe Your Dentist Can Do It!

Many cosmetic procedures are really things your regular dentist can do for you. In fact, having your regular dentist do them will likely cost you less and work more effectively for you. That’s because your regular dentist will already have your dental records and a fuller understanding of what your teeth need.

Some things your dentist can likely do for you:

Many dentists have the tools and skills necessary to perform various procedures that you may think of as purely cosmetic.

• Teeth bleaching/whitening – To give you a brighter smile or remove signs of staining.
• Crowns and fillings – To restore the look and functionality of one or more teeth.
• Veneers and bonding – To restore the look of your smile and fix small tooth damage respectively.

If you’re looking for such services, you don’t have to go far out of your way. Speak to your dentist about them.

Are You a Candidate for the Cosmetic Procedure You Want?

You can schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist, go in, pay for the services, then find out you’re not a candidate for the procedure you want. You can end up in a situation where you have work done that upsets some other dental problem you didn’t know about, or one the cosmetic dentist didn’t warn you of.

Your regular dentist can let you know if you’re a good candidate for the procedure you want. You may also need an altogether different cosmetic procedure than you think. Your dentist can help you figure out which process will work best for you.

Your dentist can also make sure you’re free of dental problems. If you’re not free of issues, your dentist can do the work you will need before you proceed with a cosmetic procedure. Always make sure you have a healthy mouth before pursuing cosmetic dentistry.

What Do You Know about the Procedure and the Cosmetic Dentist?

You may find yourself tempted to jump into a cosmetic procedure you don’t fully understand, administered by a dentist you’ve never seen or heard of. Do you know if the cosmetic dentist has the proper training and skills? Do they have a background as licensed prosthodontists or orthodontists?

Your dentist can vet the cosmetic dentist for you. If they’re local, they may already know of the dentist you plan to see. Your regular dentist can give you referrals for specialists that he or she believes will do the job properly.

For all these reasons and more, you should speak to your regular family dentist before pursuing any kind of dental work elsewhere. If you don’t have a regular dentist, then you should certainly start seeing one before going anywhere for a single cosmetic procedure.