Finding a qualified cosmetic dentist, when considering a cosmetic dental treatment, can be a difficult and timely process. With an increasing number of dentists offering cosmetic dentistry and a variety of procedures to choose from, making a decision can leave you quite confused and frustrated.

In this section of MyFaceMyBody.com we aim to make this process as painless as possible and give you guidance on the types of things you should be looking out for when choosing the right dentist for you.

Tip: Referrals from trusted sources are the best resource of information

1) If your current private or NHS dentist does not specialise in cosmetic dentistry, then getting them to recommend someone they know is a good starting point especially as they know the current status and condition of your teeth and oral health.

2) Ask your friends, neighbors, and business colleagues about their past experiences and whether they can recommend a cosmetic dentist.

Tip: Do as much research as possible

3) Do your homework about particular dentists and investigate the amount of cosmetic dentistry experience they have around the specific treatments you are interested in before booking a consultation.

4) You may also want to ask if the cosmetic dentist is a member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, which requires adherence to rigorous study, ethical standards and examination to qualify as an accredited member. You can find out what associations our cosmetic dentists belong to by going to their profile pages on our Find a Specialist section.

5) Ask the dentist you are considering using if you can see before and after photos of past patients to gain the confidence and assurance you need. Do the results meet your expectations? Are the photos of actual patients that the dentist has treated? Through the Find a Specialist section on MyFaceMyBody.com you will find some before and after photos of patients treated by some of the specialists in their own image galleries.

6) What are the facilities like where they practice? Do they look professional? Are they clean? Do they have imaging technology and/or bonding previews when recommending and demonstrating procedure options?

7) What dental technologies do they use at their practice? (lasers, caries detection devices, intraoral imaging, etc.)

Tip: Find an affordable yet highly qualified cosmetic dentist

Cosmetic dentistry can be very expensive but today many people are looking for popular cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and veneers. With the increase in competition amongst dentists, prices have become more realistic and many will offer financial plans to help make these treatments more affordable. However it is important not to jeopardise quality for cheaper prices as this may affect the final results and a less than desirable smile.

Tip: Good communication between you and your cosmetic dentist is essential

It is important to find a cosmetic dentist who is honest and upfront about what they really can do for you, how much time it will take and how to maintain your teeth after your treatment.

A good dentist will listen to what you want and make sure that they really understand your needs by customising your treatment.