First Steps Before Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, there are some things you should know ahead of time. Chances are, if you are thinking about ways to improve the appearance of your teeth, you may already have some dental conditions that are less than ideal. Before moving on to cosmetic dentistry, these conditions will need to be remedied. Here are the first steps before cosmetic dentistry.

Consultation

You will need to schedule a consultation with your dentist before scheduling any cosmetic dentistry treatments. At the consultation, you and your dentist will review your ultimate dental goals; how you want your teeth to look, what conditions you would like to see resolved, etc. Next, your dentist will do an examination to determine the current condition of your teeth. Your dentist will then go over their recommendations for the next steps.

Resolving Problems

The next step will likely be to resolve existing problems in your mouth. This may include things like filling cavities, resolving periodontal disease, allowing gums to heal and more. The reason for this is because your teeth and gums should be in the best possible health—not necessarily appearance—a condition in order to ensure the best odds for cosmetic dentistry solutions success.

Taking Time

if your dentist determines that you have existing dental health problems that need to be resolved, there may be an extended period of time needed to take care of them. This may mean many weeks, or even months. Be patient. The long-term results will be worth the wait. If you need to take time off work to get your dental health problems resolved before cosmetic dentistry, do so. It’s better to stay on the schedule that your dentist recommends. Follow instructions to the letter so that your cosmetic dentistry can take place as soon as possible.

Remember, cosmetic dentistry is a way to change the appearance of your teeth, not to directly fix dental health issues. If you have underlying conditions such as periodontal disease, you and your dentist will need to address that condition first. That’s the best way to ensure that your cosmetic dentistry will look great and last for decades to come. For more information about your cosmetic dentistry options, please contact our office today.