14 Dec | Have you always wanted to know how to choose a cosmetic dentist?
Did you realize that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty? Did you know that even though most general dentists advertise that they do cosmetic dentistry procedures that dental schools teach very little, if any, cosmetic dentistry and most general dentists have not taken any post graduate hands-on courses on cosmetic dentistry? Discerning patients have come to realize that not all dentists are created equally and that excellent cosmetic dentistry requires unique skills, precision, experience and artistry that is not common. Choosing the right cosmetic dentist to create your smile masterpiece that is functionally sound and beautifully natural should be done intentionally and carefully. These tips will help you make the right decision.
1. Credentials in Cosmetic Dentistry
Presently, there is not an American Dental Association (www.ada.org) recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry. In 1984, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) was formed and has filled the dire need for credentialing in this area. With over 7,000 members in the U.S. and 40 other countries around the world, the AACD is the largest international dental organization dedicated specifically to the art and science of cosmetic dentistry. The AACD administers the leading credentialing program in cosmetic dentistry called Accreditation. The Accreditation process is a rigorous program, which requires dentists to attend a number of continuing education courses, pass a written examination, submit a number of their clinical cosmetic cases that are judged by a panel of cosmetic dentistry experts, and pass an oral examination. “By successfully completing this process, an Accredited member demonstrates a very high level of clinical skill and ability in cosmetic dentistry, “ says the AACD. The standards are so high that to date, only 315 dentists world wide have successfully achieved Accredited status, while thousands have begun the process. Only 47 of these Accredited dentists and technicians have also achieved the coveted Accredited Fellowship which is the highest level of competence in cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Fred Arnold is the only cosmetic dentist in Kentucky to achieve Accredited Fellowship in the AACD. This is the highest credential in cosmetic dentistry. Go to AACD.com to see the complete list of Accredited cosmetic dentists.
2. Post graduate cosmetic dentistry training
Excellence in cosmetic dentistry requires many hours of hands-on post graduate courses. To practice at the highest level, a high level of technical skill and artistry must be developed. Most general dentists do not spend the time of the money to complete this type of training.
Please click here for a partial list of post graduate courses that Dr. Arnold has completed.
3. Artistry and Laboratory
Cosmetic dentistry requires sophisticated artistic skills on the part of both the dentist and the laboratory technician. The synergistic relationship of the dentist and technician who fabricates the veneers in the lab is key to successful treatment. If the skills of the dental lab tech don’t match those of the dentist, the treatment will fall short. Most dentists work with labs that are miles away from their dental office, and often out of state.
Dr. Fred Arnold and master dental laboratory technician Mike Morris, CDT work in the same office to insure that you get the best lab work possible. Mr. Mike Morris has an international reputation as one of the top cosmetic dental technicians and is the only AACD Accredited laboratory technician in Kentucky. Dr. Arnold and Mr. Morris are the only Accredited dentist-technician team to work in the same office anywhere in the world.
4. Review Before and After photos of the dentist’s actual work
An experienced cosmetic dentist will have many before and after examples of his or her work that you should review. Please verify that the dentistry was actually performed by the dentist. Many dentists purchase commercially available images and imply that they did the work.
Dr. Fred Arnold has been awarded multiple gold metals in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Smile Gallery competition (more than any dentist in the state of Kentucky) which features before and after photos of his actual work. Click here to see Dr. Arnold’s Smile Gallery.
5. Professional reputation
Is the dentist well respected in the community and in the dental profession? Has the dentist published articles in dental journals? Is the dentist involved in lecturing and teaching other dentists? All of this type of information should be readily available on a dentist’s web site.
Dr. Arnold has been elected by his peers to serve on the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry that is responsible for credentialing cosmetic dentists worldwide. He serves as an Accreditation and Fellowship Examiner for the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Arnold was recently selected to serve as Accreditation Chairman for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry which has given him an international reputation for excellence in cosmetic dentistry even though he practices in Lexington Kentucky. Please see Dr. Fred Arnold’s CV for a complete list of his published dental articles and his lectures.
This should make it easy for you to make an informed choice of whom you would consider the best cosmetic dentist in Lexington, Kentucky.
14 Dec | Dr. Fred Arnold travelled to Boston, MA to lecture to the New England Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry on Porcelain Veneers and to Madison, WI to administer clinical examinations to other dentists.
Dr. Fred Arnold, Lexington, Kentucky cosmetic dentist, traveled to Boston, MA to lecture to the New England Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry on October 23 and 24, 2009. Dr. Arnold’s lecture on the first day was titled “Achieving Excellence with Porcelain Veneers” and on the second day, he teamed up with Dr. Marty Zase (www.colchesterdentalgroup.com) to present the “Advanced Accreditation Workshop.”
Dr. Fred Arnold commented, “I am honored to represent the best cosmetic dentists in the world as Accreditation Chairman of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. As the only cosmetic dentist in Kentucky to achieve Fellowship by the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry, it is rewarding to represent our state and be involved in teaching other dentists.” Dr. Arnold will be travelling to Madison, WI in November, 2009 to present “Examiner Calibration” and to direct the clinical cases exams for the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry, whose responsibility it is to credential cosmetic dentists worldwide.
Along with master ceramist, Mike Morris, Dr. Fred Arnold practices general and cosmetic dentistry in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Arnold and Mr. Morris have earned an international reputation for excellence in aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry. They are the only dentist-lab technician team in the same office where both the dentist and lab technician are accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. “This team approach allows our patients to receive the best cosmetic dentistry possible in Kentucky. We are blessed to have many wonderful patients, including many dentists that travel from long distances for our services. Meeting or surpassing their high expectations keeps Mike and me constantly pushing ourselves to deliver the best dentistry possible,” explains Dr. Arnold.
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