Choosing a cosmetic dentist is an important decision. Whether you are considering porcelain veneers, a smile makeover, or another cosmetic treatment, you want a dentist who understands that creating a beautiful smile involves more than simply changing the appearance of your teeth.
So, what should you look for when choosing a cosmetic dentist? Watch Dr. Schmid explain the three things he believes are essential when making this decision.
At Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry in Austin, Dr. John Schmid believes three things are especially important: training, experience, and the dental laboratory. These factors work together to influence the planning, design, and final result of your treatment.
1. Advanced Training in Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry requires a strong understanding of dental anatomy, facial aesthetics, bite relationships, tooth proportions, and restorative materials. While dental school provides the foundation for practicing dentistry, additional education can provide dentists with a deeper understanding of comprehensive cosmetic treatment.
Dr. Schmid earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Angelo State University before receiving his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
After dental school, he pursued advanced education at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), studying:
- Advanced Anterior Aesthetics
- Comprehensive Aesthetic Reconstruction
- Neuromuscular Occlusion
- Full Mouth Reconstruction
- Neuromuscular Coronoplasty
Dr. Schmid is also an LVI Fellow, reflecting his continued education and commitment to the principles taught through the Las Vegas Institute. This additional training gives Dr. Schmid a broader perspective when evaluating a patient’s smile. Instead of looking at individual teeth in isolation, he considers how the teeth, gums, bite, and overall facial appearance work together.
2. Experience Matters
Education provides the foundation, but experience is an important part of developing the judgment necessary for complex cosmetic cases. Every smile is different. Tooth shape, color, proportions, gum position, facial features, existing dental work, and bite all have to be considered when developing a treatment plan.
An experienced cosmetic dentist understands that there is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. The goal should not simply be to make teeth whiter or larger. Cosmetic dentistry should be carefully planned around the individual patient and their goals.
Dr. Schmid has more than 30 years of experience in cosmetic dentistry. Over that time, he has treated a wide range of cosmetic and restorative cases and developed an approach focused on creating natural-looking results while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.
For patients considering porcelain veneers, experience can be particularly important. Veneers are designed specifically for each patient, and details such as tooth proportions, translucency, shape, and how the restorations interact with the surrounding teeth can have a significant effect on the final smile.
3. The Dental Laboratory Makes a Difference
There is another important part of cosmetic dentistry that patients may not think about: the dental laboratory. Even with careful treatment planning, the final restorations need to be crafted by skilled dental technicians. The dentist and laboratory work together to translate the treatment plan into the actual porcelain restorations that will become part of your smile.
Dr. Schmid works with Aurum Ceramic Dental Laboratories, a dental laboratory known for its work with aesthetic restorations. The collaboration between dentist and laboratory allows the details of each case to be carefully considered throughout the process.
For porcelain veneers, this can include everything from the shape and proportions of the teeth to their color, translucency, texture, and relationship to the patient’s existing smile. The laboratory is not simply producing a generic set of veneers. The restorations need to be designed and crafted for the individual patient.
Why Training, Experience, and the Lab Work Together
A good cosmetic dentistry experience involves more than any one of these three factors.
Training helps a dentist understand the principles behind smile design and comprehensive treatment.
Experience helps the dentist apply those principles to individual patients and different clinical situations.
The dental laboratory helps turn the treatment plan into carefully crafted restorations.
When all three work together, the goal is a smile that looks balanced and natural rather than artificial or out of place.
What Should You Ask During a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation?
Before choosing a cosmetic dentist, it is reasonable to ask questions about their education, experience, approach to treatment, and the laboratory they use. Here are a few worth bringing to your consultation:
What type of cosmetic dentistry training have you completed?
Ask about any advanced education beyond dental school, such as training in smile design, aesthetics, or full-mouth reconstruction.
How much experience do you have with the treatment I’m considering?
Experience with your specific treatment, whether veneers, a smile makeover, or another procedure, can affect how well the results match your goals.
What materials do you use?
The quality and type of materials used in your restorations can affect both appearance and longevity.
Which dental laboratory creates your restorations?
The lab plays a direct role in the craftsmanship of your final restorations, so it’s worth knowing who’s involved.
How do you plan a smile to look natural?
A good cosmetic dentist considers your facial features, bite, and existing teeth, not just isolated changes to individual teeth.
How much healthy tooth structure will need to be removed?
This varies by treatment and is worth understanding upfront as part of your decision.
What options are available for achieving my goals?
Ask what alternatives exist so you can compare approaches before committing to a treatment plan.
A consultation is also an opportunity to discuss what you like and dislike about your current smile and what you hope to change. A thoughtful treatment plan should take your individual goals into account rather than simply applying the same approach to every patient.
Considering Cosmetic Dentistry in Austin?
At Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Schmid combines more than 30 years of dental experience with advanced training through the Las Vegas Institute. As an LVI Fellow, he has pursued additional education in aesthetics, comprehensive reconstruction, neuromuscular occlusion, and full-mouth treatment. He also works closely with a skilled dental laboratory to create customized porcelain restorations designed for each patient’s individual smile.
If you would like to learn whether cosmetic dentistry is right for you, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Schmid. During your consultation, you can discuss your goals, ask questions, and learn more about your treatment options. Contact Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule your appointment.