When you first talk yourself into something – whether it’s buying those cute heels at the mall or moving in with your significant other – the excitement of doing something new tends to overshadow your ability to think critically about it. However, once you step back from that excitement, you have to ask yourself: is this new thing worth the investment of time and money? When it comes to comes to deciding whether investing in your smile is worth it, you should seriously consider the following questions:
Have You Set Realistic Goals?
Maybe you think Angelina Jolie has the prettiest smile in the world, and you want a smile that looks just like hers. Unfortunately, without extensive plastic surgery in addition to cosmetic dental work, you’re not going to end up looking like Angelina Jolie. However, if you want your smile to have some of the same qualities that Angelina’s has – teeth that are even, white (but not too white), feminine in shape, and just the right size for your face – then your cosmetic dentist has the tools to help you achieve that goal.
In the dental and medical business, this concept is called “managing expectations.” This doesn’t mean lowering your expectations or settling for a smile makeover that doesn’t make you happy. Instead, setting realistic goals honors what’s beautiful about you as an individual and simply plays up your strong points. And if you happen to admire a particular star’s smile, that’s perfectly okay. In fact, cosmetic dentists often encourage their patients to bring in pictures of smiles they like in order to better understand what each patient finds beautiful, for a more customized smile makeover.
What’s Your Budget?
Most cosmetic dentists (and plastic surgeons, incidentally) agree, that one of the most important aspects of patient satisfaction is whether the work performed placed too much strain on your pocketbook. If you have to live off of ramen noodles for a year afterward to pay for your veneers, your perception of whether their procedure was worth it sharply declines. Before moving forward with any type of cosmetic dental services, establish a realistic budget. Talk to your dentist about setting up a payment plan or look into third party financing (like the kind available through CareCredit).
About Dr. Amanda Foust
Dr. Amanda Foust and her staff think that dental implants are pretty exciting! She partners with respected area periodontists and oral surgeons to ensure her patients receive the very best care throughout all phases of the implant procedure. To schedule your next appointment or consultation, contact us at (515) 965-0230. At Dental Impressions of Ankeny, we offer comprehensive dental services to patients of all ages from Polk City, Bondurant, Elkhart, Alleman, and surrounding cities.
