You want to make your smile more attractive, so you know you need to visit a dentist. A cosmetic dentist seems like the obvious choice, but would a general dentist work as well? How are they different? This quick guide will go over the most important distinctions so you can determine which professional will be the best fit.  

Before We Get Started…

The truth is that any dentist can claim to be a “cosmetic dentist.” Unlike pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, or oral surgery, a dentist doesn’t have to earn a special certification to say they are an expert in cosmetic dentistry. Fortunately, there are a few key things you can look for that will distinguish whether someone is a general dentist or actually a cosmetic dentist.

Keep An Eye Out For…

Specific Cosmetic Training

There are many training programs, residencies, seminars, and professional organizations that are 100% dedicated to cosmetic dentistry, offering knowledge and skills that a dentist simply won’t have coming straight out of dental school. A cosmetic dentist will make these qualifications easy to find in their bio.

Cosmetic-Focused Reviews

With a general dentist, most of the reviews will (hopefully) talk about how friendly the team is, how gentle the dentist was, and so on. But for a cosmetic dentist, you’ll notice there are reviews about how they made a patient’s smile look better than ever and improved their appearance.

Smile Gallery

Simply put, most cosmetic dentists will have a Smile Gallery on their website that shows off their work, and general dentists will not. Because cosmetic dentistry is all about aesthetics, seeing is believing, right? A dentist who is confident about their work will be willing to let you see it and judge for yourself.  

Thankfully, all of this information should be easy to find on a dentist’s homepage or Google listing without having to do any digging. If you spot special training, reviews from happy cosmetic patients, and see a page filled with gorgeous smiles they created, then you’ll know you’ve found a true cosmetic dentist!  When it comes to creating the smile of your dreams, they are the go-to experts for taking what you imagine in your head and turning it into a reality you’ll enjoy in the mirror day after day.

About the Author

Dr. Krysten Jackson is a cosmetic dentist in El Reno who graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. She then completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program there, one of the most elite residencies in the country, which included a big focus on cosmetic dentistry. If you’re eager to see what’s possible for your smile, you can get started right now with a consultation by clicking here.