5 Things to Look for in a Cosmetic Dentist

When many people decide to give cosmetic dentistry a try, they often begin by researching the various cosmetic dental treatments. While the type of cosmetic dental treatment you choose will certainly affect your treatment result, it is not the only thing you should research. In fact, there is one other thing you should research because it has the potential to affect your results as much as the treatment itself. 

Look for a cosmetic dentist, TN

Before having cosmetic dental treatment, you should research cosmetic dentists in order to find the best cosmetic dentist for your smile. While researching, here are five things you should look for in a cosmetic dentist: 

  1. Makes You Feel Comfortable
    Many people experience dental anxiety to some extent. Because of this, it may be extremely important to find a cosmetic dentist that makes you feel at ease in the dental chair. Ideally, you will want to look for a dentist who will listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and provide you the necessary care in a way that minimizes your anxieties.
  2. Gives You Enough Time
    Another thing you want to look for is a cosmetic dentist who sets aside enough time for your appointment to thoroughly answer questions and explain things. Although dentists can get busy at times, you don’t want to always feel like you are being rushed out of their office before you are finished discussing things.
  3. A High-Tech Office
    Cosmetic dentists that have the latest dental technology in their offices are able to serve their patients efficiently, comfortably, and quickly. Additionally, it allows them to perform more procedures in their office instead of having to refer you out to another facility. Some dental technology to look for are intraoral scanners, CBCT scanners, and dental lasers.
  4. A Cosmetic Portfolio
    Just like artists have their own style, cosmetic dentists can also have their own approach. To determine if their aesthetics match with your own, you will want to look through before and after photos of previous patients. This allows you to preview their work before they begin treatment on you. Additionally, you should also ask for them to show you cases that are similar to yours so you can get a better idea of what cosmetic dental treatment can offer you. Some cosmetic dentists display their portfolios online, while others prefer you to schedule a consultation to view their portfolio.
  5. Offers Payment Options
    Unfortunately, most cosmetic dental procedures are not covered by dental insurance. There can be possible exceptions for treatments that overlap with restorative procedures, however, this is not guaranteed. Because of this, your cosmetic dentist should offer payment options to help you finance the cost of your treatment.

Ultimately, when you are researching cosmetic dentists, you will want to look for someone who makes you comfortable, gives you enough of their time, has a high-tech office and portfolio, and offers payment options. Depending on your own needs, some of these may be more important than others. Therefore, you should determine which things on this list are essential and which are preferred. This will help you to find the best cosmetic dentist for your smile. 

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Dr. Micheal Costa

Dr. Costa

Dr. Stephen Malone

Dr. Malone


Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry offers a unique dental care experience to our patients in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. The crew is committed to protecting and increasing the natural beauty of your smile by employing conservative, cutting-edge techniques that result in attractive, long-lasting smiles!

Our dedicated and experienced team of doctors includes Dr. Stephen Malone, D.M.D., University of Louisville, and Dr. Michael Costa, D.D.S., UNC School of Dentistry, M.H.A., UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC. They are firm believers in continuing education to provide their patients with the finest possible care.

Drs. Costa and Malone see their patients as real partners in their service. Our team is committed to making your dental care journey as pleasant as possible.

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