How to choose a cosmetic dentist: A guide for patients

In his latest online article, highly skilled cosmetic dentist Dr Sahil Patel offers his expert insight into the best way to choose a cosmetic dentist when you are considering a cosmetic dental procedure.

What should I look for when selecting a cosmetic dentist?

The three important factors to consider are:

• Reviews (positive!) and how the clinic manages negative feedback. The latter can indicate the level of customer care you could expect
   
• Before and afters – Photographs show the level of detail and naturality in the cosmetic work. Depending on how sharp your eyes are, you will be able to discern those working at an average level all the way up to world-class clinical outcomes. Cosmetic dentists working at a high standard would look for accurate replication of chroma, fluorescence, texture and morphology.
   
• Accreditation with the two bodies that govern clinical standards in cosmetic dentistry: The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry. The accreditation and fellowship programmes run by the former are anonymous, rigorous and comprehensive validation of the level of expertise of a cosmetic dentist. In our opinion, an accredited and/or fellow of the BACD will be one of the very best clinicians in the UK.
   

Are there specific qualifications or certifications I should consider in a cosmetic dentist?

As mentioned above, accreditation by the BACD and Full Membership of the British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry are two important factors you should consider before choosing a cosmetic dentist.
 

How can I determine if a cosmetic dentist has experience with the procedure I'm interested in?

Before and after photos of similar situations are the best sign – if you can’t find a similar situation, just ask!
 

What questions should I ask during a consultation with a potential cosmetic dentist?

Ask them what their recommendation is for you and see how aligned that is to your aims and goals. If they have taken the time to understand you, they should be able to provide solutions that are suited to your values, needs and desires for dentistry.
Non-verbally, there is a level of trust and understanding that is communicated during a consultation. This may be your gut feeling and we should also take this into account when selecting a clinician/healthcare professional.

What are the key factors to consider when comparing cosmetic dentists for my treatment?

The procedures you are searching for should be their primary focus. Your cosmetic dentist should be regularly performing the treatment alongside other cosmetic procedures. General dental practices are not typically well placed to perform cosmetic procedures as it is not part of their routine workflow.
Undergoing a procedure as part of a clinician’s routine workflow reduces risk as the evidence indicates that the risk of complications increases when the treatment is not commonly undertaken with that clinician/clinic.

Dr Sahil Patel is a leading cosmetic dentist based in London. If you would like to book a consultation with Dr Patel, you can do so today via his Top Doctors profile.