7 ways to lead the pack in cosmetic dentistry

1. Consider offering an affordable, non-invasive veneer as an option to conventional porcelain veneers. There are several non-invasive techniques you might choose to use. Not everyone needs or can afford porcelain veneers. Sure they are a great service for our patients, but composites have evolved. Don’t price yourself out of the market because you are only providing a single focused approach to cosmetic dentistry with porcelain veneers.

2. Get your team excited. If any of your team members lack sincerity for elective cosmetic dental procedures, don’t expect your patients to become enthusiastic. How do you help your team members become more sincere? Dr. Harvey Silverman suggests having each team member fill out a written smile analysis form. Find out what changes they might want to make in their own smile. Next, do the appropriate cosmetic service complimentary for each team member. Take before and after pictures. Watch as team members share enthusiasm with your patients as they personally experience the service themselves.

Check out this month's Book Review: How to use power listening to understand and treat your patients

3. POWER educate. What does this mean? "Beyond showing before and after photos, displaying posters, distributing brochures or showing in-office DVDs on cosmetic dentistry, go the extra yard," Dr. Silverman suggests. Describe the benefits of each service to your patients. Share testimonials and talk about what cosmetic dentistry did for each patient’s self-confidence and self-image. Power educating creates meaning and significance to the information you are sharing.

4. Find out what patients want. This isn’t difficult. Have every new patient of record, as well as recall patients, fill out a well-developed smile analysis forms that represents the changes the patients want.

5. Re-learn how to diagnose cosmetic dental needs. The assumption made by some dentists has been that patients with interest in cosmetic dentistry already had it done. That way of thinking is very revealing and if you can relate to that statement it explains why other dentists are expanding their cosmetic practice and you are not.

6. Control color stability with porcelain veneers. Creating long-lasting, vital restorations while minimizing tooth preparation is the primary objective in modern cosmetic dentistry. See the full technique and its slideshow.

7. Simplify composite restorations to ensure highly esthetic outcomes. This technique features a slideshow that walks you through the process.