I have seen a “cosmetic dentist” who is not on\u00a0your list, and he is suggesting replacing all of my teeth\u2014even the ones that have nothing wrong with them, with all porcelain crowns to correct bite, beautify look of smile. I am concerned about grinding down perfectly good teeth for this. I chose the dentist in question because he has a good reputation in the community, puts a three-year guarantee on his work in writing, does sedation dentistry (I am VERY nervous patient) — and he has spent a good amount of time answering my questions, doing wax-ups that I am supposed to view on Wednesday. However, I am really feeling quite concerned now…and even more anxious.<\/p>\n
After reading your website,\u00a0I am even more ambivalent than I was, and feel that I should RUN to the dentist recommended for the St. Petersburg\/Tampa area.<\/p>\n
What do you think? Thank you in advance for your reply.
\n– Pat from Florida<\/p>\n
Dear Pat,
\nYour instincts are good. While I can’t evaluate your case without seeing it and it’s possible that you do need the aggressive treatment being proposed, the way you’re explaining it to me makes me distrustful of this dentist.<\/p>\n
Ethical cosmetic dentists will be very careful to avoid unnecessary dentistry. I heard it continually repeated in various cosmetic dentistry lectures, that if the patient is happy with his or her smile, there is no treatment indicated. The majority of excellent cosmetic dentists believe in that ethical standard and would not try to push cosmetic dentistry onto a reluctant patient. For me, personally, I would not trust a dentist who came up with an aggressive treatment plan like you’re explaining without my requesting it.<\/p>\n
My general advice is to stay away from dentists who appear to be dental salespeople, and stick with professional dentists who tend to be conservative in their treatment recommendations. There are occasions when the treatment proposed for you would be indicated. You are talking about a full mouth reconstruction. But that should only be required if you have serious bite problems that are causing pain, or if you have a collapsed face, or a large number of broken-down teeth.<\/p>\n
You’d be smart to go to one of the dentists on our list for a second opinion.
\n– Dr. Hall<\/p>\n
Related links: I have seen a “cosmetic dentist” who is not on\u00a0your list, and he is suggesting replacing all of my teeth\u2014even the ones that have nothing wrong with them, with all porcelain crowns to correct bite, beautify look of smile. I am concerned about grinding down perfectly good teeth for this. I chose the dentist in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,155],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-265","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-finding-a-cosmetic-dentist","7":"category-second-opinions","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n
\nRead more about cosmetic dentistry costs<\/a>.
\nClick here for referral to an expert cosmetic dentist<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"