Dr. DeForno's Q&A in "Connections Magazine"

Tooth Trends Article
December 2005

Dear Dr. DeForno,

I have gone to the same dentist since I was about 10 years old and I am now in my 30’s. I like my dentist but he does not seem to know much about cosmetic dentistry. I would like to change my smile but he keeps telling me I look fine. How do I go about finding a new dentist, who offers the things I am looking for?

It can be difficult to make a transition to a new dentist and office. There are many things that you should look for when searching for a new practice. You must first determine what types of services you are interested in. It would seem that your main interest is cosmetic dentistry which includes treatments such as: veneers, bonding, crowns, whitening etc. Ask yourself how you would like your smile to look? Many dental offices offer cosmetic consultations. Often times, photos of your smile can be taken and enhanced to show how your smile could look after treatment. Dentists typically do take before and after photos of their patients. You should ask to view such photos and look at patients, who had similar concerns. Once you find a dental office that you feel might fit your needs, contact the office. A good indication of the comfort of the office comes from the person who answers the phone. Note if that person is friendly and if he or she can readily answer your questions. Ask specific questions including: How long has the dentist been in practice? How does the office make its patients feel comfortable? How does the dentist help people, who have a great deal of anxiety? Is there a long wait to schedule an appointment? What forms of payment are accepted in the office? Does the dentist participate in continuing education to maintain and enhance his skills? I recommend that you contact several offices before making such an important decision. Do some research on the internet too. Searching different websites is a great way to learn about a practice and to familiarize yourself with specific dental treatments. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email our office.

Past Dental Care Articles:

Chester County Life - Sept/Oct 2006

Dental Care Questions Article December 2005