Cosmetic dentistry consists of dental procedures that enhance your smile. Traditionally, these are not considered necessary dental procedures, hence the word "cosmetic." However, you should not consider cosmetic dentistry for any reason if you are not taking care of any current dental problems you have.

You are not a candidate for a good number of cosmetic procedures if you have existing dental problems. Before considering any cosmetic dentistry, make sure that you follow these rules.

Speak to Your Regular Dentist

If you want any cosmetic dental procedure, from a basic whitening to a full mouth reconstruction, talk to your dentist first. You may see an ad for a cheap or discounted procedure. The low price and advertised results may make you want to immediately schedule an appointment with the dental practice that's running the ad. The problem is twofold.

You could be wasting your time. Once you see the cosmetic specialist, he or she may tell you that you're not a candidate because you have dental issues you need to take care of first. These can include things like gum disease or a jaw (maxillofacial) problem.

Otherwise, the cosmetic dentist can perform the procedure without alerting you to other dental issues you have. This can lead to complications later on that may render the cosmetic procedure pointless.

That's why it's important for you to discuss your plans with your dentist. He or she can tell you if you're a candidate for what you want. They can also help guide you towards going about it the right way.

Know Your Candidacy

Speaking of being a candidate or not, make sure you research the procedure you want extensively. Every cosmetic dental procedure comes with certain requirements. Some of the most common things that can make you ineligible for many procedures include:

Smoking – Smoking can cause things like dental implants to fail. It can also make a whitening procedure not last as long as it should.

Medication – Some medications can cause complications with many cosmetic procedures. Anything you take that can slow the healing process for after a procedure can cause the procedure to fail.

Gum disease – It's unwise to go through any cosmetic procedure with any form of gum disease. Any reputable cosmetic dentist will send you off for periodontal work before going through with a procedure. After all, it makes no sense to fix your teeth if there's a disease working in the background that will undermine the process.

Make sure you speak with your dentist about the things that can destroy your candidacy for cosmetic dentistry. Your dentist will help you fix the problems so that you can go on to get the smile that you want. To learn more, contact a company like Ahwatukee Foothills Dental with any questions you have.