Cosmetic dentistry is booming

You are a fan of “Extreme Makeover” and one look at your less than Vanna White smile has you thinking tooth whitening.

You are not alone – the cosmetic dentistry industry is booming in the US and tooth whitening procedures have grown over 300% over the past six years. Problem is, there are no uniform guidelines regarding cosmetic dentistry and all a dentist needs is a seven hour course and voila, he/she is a cosmetic dentist. Most dental schools don’t even begin to approach advanced cosmetic dentistry techniques in their curriculum.

So before you hop into that tooth veneer purveyor at the local mall, check out the credentials. The Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) requires 500 practice hours and passing a 400-question examination. Cosmetic dentists with advanced training usually have a degree from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada. Don’t be afraid to ask for credentials. Be informed about what you want and how it will be done.