Many women never let loose with a true ear-to-ear grin because they lack the elements of an aesthetically attractive smile: straight teeth, a pleasing proportion of tooth to gum, a realistically white sheen. The good news: With so many innovations from the drugstore and your dentist, you no longer need to grin and bear less-than-dazzling teeth.

Achieving good aesthetic results is an integral part of what every dentist does, but since the term “cosmetic dentistry” isn’t one of the nine specialties recognized by the American Dental Association, how do you find the right dentist to transform your once-pearly whites? Your own general dentist may well be an appropriate person to handle some aesthetic procedures, but it’s a good idea to consult a specialist if you’re considering any of the following:

• Gum recontouring (See a periodontist; to find one near you, log on to perio.org.)

• Braces (Consult an orthodontist; for a referral, go to braces.org.)

• Multiple restorations (Talk to a prosthodontist; locate one at prosthodontist.org.)

Another terrific way to find a cosmetic dentist is to ask for referrals from people with smiles you admire. And remember, cosmetic procedures (beyond simple teeth bleaching) should always be preceded by a consultation. “You do not want someone who’s going to start treatment on the same day he or she sees you for the first time,” says Oklahoma City-based prosthodontist Susan E. Brackett, DDS, MS. A dentist should be able to answer all your questions about the treatments being recommended — that includes the steps required, the costs and the results you can expect. Ask to see before and after photos of the procedures your dentist is suggesting (and be sure to ask if they are photos of treatments he or she has personally performed, not done by another dentist in the same office). Additionally, with digital imagery, a dentist may be able to show you what your after-smile is likely to look like on you. “The most important thing is to make sure you’re in the hands of someone who is willing to take the time to listen to you,” says Brackett. Adds Farmington, MN-based Kimberly Harms, DDS, a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, “Don’t be afraid to asks a dentist about her experience in doing the procedure she’s recommending or to seek a second opinion.”

FOR MORE DENTAL INFO

To learn about various dental procedures, visit the following websites:

• Academy of General Dentistry: agd.org

• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: aacd.org

• American Academy of Periodontology: perio.org

• American Association of Orthodontists: braces.org

• American College of Prosthodontics: prosthodontics.org

• American Dental Association: ada.org

To read our story, “Something to Smile About,” featured in the May/June issue of VIVmag, just click here.

Tags: Adds Farmington, American Dental Association, consumer adviser, cosmetic dentist, Cosmetic dentistry, DDS, dentist, dentist in the same office, Dentistry, general dentist, Gum lift, Health/Medical/Pharmaceuticals, Kimberly Harms, Minnesota, MS, Oklahoma City, Prosthodontics, prosthodontist, Prosthodontology, Restorative dentistry, Susan E. Brackett