If you’re on the web searching for a “Cosmetic Dentist in Raleigh NC,” or more specifically looking for the “Best” Cosmetic Dentists in Raleigh, the search results bring up so many choices, it may seem impossible to make a selection. At Gover and Gover we strive to provide an honest, professional opinion at all times so our patients can make the most informed decision for their dental care needs.
A concerning trend we’ve seen in the past decade is an uptick in the number of patients who have seen a Cosmetic Dentist and received exorbitant estimates for dental work that appears either incredibly expensive or perhaps even unnecessary. As more and more dentists are being trained to sell the most expensive dental procedures, we still believe patient care comes before the bottom line.
Of course, every patient’s need for cosmetic dentistry is different. There are fairly obvious and straightforward solutions, and then there are extremely difficult procedures that may require multiple visits and several dental specialists, including endodontists (root canal specialists,) periodontists, implant surgeons, maxillo-facial surgeons and orthodontists to name a few. If you find yourself in that situation, we at Gover and Gover are happy to consult with you to line up the best outside experts for your needs. But here are a few additional tips to help make the best selection for your cosmetic dentistry needs.
3 Tips for Choosing the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Raleigh for your Needs
Tip #1 What kind of training and experience does he or she have?
To become one of the best Cosmetic Dentists in Raleigh, it requires additional education and cosmetic dentistry experience after dental school training. Dental schools expose students to all aspects of dentistry, but it is up to each individual dentist to hone his or her skills and really challenge him or herself to further their expertise after graduation. Fortunately, with the expansion of modern learning resources and advances in dental training, there has never been a better time for dentists to advance their skills and knowledge for the benefit of their patients. A dentist who is dedicated can access the finest training and instruction modern dentistry has to offer.
But with that being said, sometimes the best way to excel as a Cosmetic Dentist is by actually doing cosmetic dentistry. In other words, experience is one of the best teachers. We’re certainly not discounting all of the dental university training and the required continuing education that follows; that’s a given, but there is no substitute for actual “in-the-mouth” experience.
At Gover and Gover we’ve been performing cosmetic dentistry in Raleigh for over 25 years now. We’ve seen and solved more than a few tough cases in that time, and we’ve seen more than a few new “wonder” materials and techniques come and go. But we know our skill set, what works and what doesn’t, and the work we do is predictable and lasts. You can count on that.
Tip #2: After choosing a dentist, what cosmetic dentistry options do I have?
Typically when people are looking for a Cosmetic Dentist, they are thinking about aesthetic enhancements like porcelain veneers or dental crowns to improve their smile. However, in more severe cases, implants may be required to replace cracked, damaged or missing teeth.
Veneers are a great aesthetic enhancement and one of the more popular cosmetic procedures and a great way to get instantly white teeth if that’s what you desire. They are basically thin pieces of porcelain that are attached to the outside of a tooth to correct color discrepancies, change the shape of teeth or to close unsightly gaps. In fact, sometimes these can be used in the place of orthodontics to achieve a similar result. Veneers are fabricated separately in a laboratory which does make them relatively expensive, but they do create a beautiful and lasting smile. These are the top-of-the-line in cosmetic dentistry.
But there are other available options besides veneers, such as dental bonding, that may achieve great results without the same expense. Ultimately, as you weigh your options, our best recommendation is to consult with the Raleigh Cosmetic Dentists at Gover and Gover and they will be more than happy to help you make a decision that is right for you.
Tip #3: Who does the lab work?
The majority of the components in Cosmetic Dentists’ work, such as porcelain veneers and crowns, are not actually fabricated in the dentist’s office due to time constraints and elaborate tooling and manufacturing processes. Unfortunately however, the trend of outsourcing this fabrication allows dentists to get their porcelain work done much cheaper outside of the United States. This foreign outsourcing can be a mistake as it is often a lower quality or may suffer untimely delays in manufacturing and shipping.
Many dentists are sending their work to China, and many national dental labs are also outsourcing beyond the U.S. Sadly, some dentists don’t even know their lab work is being outsourced. So it may be important to you to ask your cosmetic dentist about the lab work and where it is being fabricated.
As you consider your options, if you’re looking for an experienced Cosmetic Dentist in Raleigh, NC, who’s been serving the community for over 25 years, who’s well-versed in all aspects of cosmetic dentistry and who insists on quality lab work that is 100% made in the U.S., call Gover and Gover today at 919-782-9516.
We look forward to personally meeting you and becoming your choice for a General and Cosmetic Dentist in Raleigh.