DENTISTRY RESOURCES
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialty field within the broad area of dental medicine that seeks to address the aesthetic aspect of dental health – that is, the appearance. Many people who have otherwise healthy teeth suffer from worn, chipped and/or stained teeth. A qualified cosmetic dentist can literally recreate a person’s smile, making teeth and gums more attractive and as healthy on the outside as they are inside.
Anyone who is considering undergoing a cosmetic dental procedure is well-advised to educate themselves prior to seeking treatment. While your own primary care treatment dentist can certainly discuss these issues, you should familiarize yourself with the history, terminology, science, risks and benefits of such procedures as well as learn how to choose the right cosmetic dentist. What follows is a list of some of the best online resources on the topic of cosmetic dentistry.
Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics
This is an online dental community that provides information on the latest trends in dental education, technology and treatment. Their print publication, ACEsthetics Magazine, will soon be available in an online edition.
American Academy of Implant Dentistry
The AAID has been in existence for over half a century, and is dedicated to advancing the art and science of impant dentistry. Under the “Public Info: link, you will find general information, a guide to current practitioners, patient education and a list of frequently-asked questions.
American Academy of Comsetic Dentistry
This is a good place to find an accredited cosmetic dentist in your area. Membership in the AACD is an excellent indication that a dentist has received training in the specific procedure(s) you may be seeking. For those with a high-speed Internet connection, there are informational videos available as well.
American College of Prosthodontists
The ACP website is an excellent comprehensive source for patient education. Here, you can determine whether or not prosthodontics can help you, what specific procedures are available, and recent press releases on the topic.
This website is oriented more toward practicing dental professionals who are seeking continuing education in the use of new cosmetic procedures and equipment. This organization was recently acquired by a private, for-profit corporation known as Biolase Technology, so expect that much of the information will be geared toward increasing sales and the bottom line. However, for patients who are interested in the technology, one can get a good idea of what is involved in the training of qualified cosmetic dentists.
This is one of the most comprehensive sites on the Web. Every qualified, reputable dentist maintains a membership in this organization, which maintains a listing of its members across the country. In addition, you will find a very sizable collection of online articles, press releases, and even downloadable videos on virtually all aspects of dentistry.
American Academy of Periodontology
The AAP is an organization that deals with gum disease. Patients can find tools here to assess their risk of periodontal disease and what treatments are available, as well as recent press releases. This website is updated quite regularly.
These days, will the expansion of multimedia capabilities and the almost infinite library that the internet has become, dental professionals of all sorts are able to blog their ideas, their experiences, their procedures and all else and share them with whomever wants to access the information.
