Cosmetic Dentistry

[Enso]

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While I know many people get into this field for various reasons my passion for dentistry is purely cosmetic. While I realize all dentistry is cosmetic in nature my interests aren't in medical treatment (crowns, canals) but aesthetic enhancement (veneers, lumineers, etc). My question is, would it be non-traditional or abnormal to do strictly cosmetic stuff fresh out of dental school? Can people have success with just focusing on one niche? I've heard of LVI but that's about it. I realize my marketing strategy would have to be different than a family dentist.

Thanks guys.

 

[Supersonic]

You're living in a fantasy if you think you will be doing strictly cosmetic dentistry on day 1 as a dentist. No dental school will provide you with that kind of preparation. Plus, you're not the only one that wants a piece of that lucrative pie. Cosmetics is usually a result of a solid doctor/patient relationship. If you own your own practice, you can push whatever you want but chances are slim that you'll be doing cosmetics as an associate while the practice owner is doing amalgams.

Cosmetic dentistry is not a specialty so if your patients need a root canal or crown, procedures within the realm of general dentistry and you refer them, chances are they wont fully trust you, or come back to you.

 

[Enso]

No dental school will provide you with that kind of preparation. Plus, you're not the only one that wants a piece of that lucrative pie. Cosmetics is usually a result of a solid doctor/patient relationship.

Like I said, there are programs (LVI) that offer post-graduate education to dentists that want to pursue a concentration in aesthetic work.

How do you figure cosmetics is the result of a doctor/patient relationship more than anything else in dentistry? While important in any field, I would assume people looking for beauty enhancements generally don't seek them out based on a relationship more than others.

I didn't get laser hair removal on my neck because of my relationship with the nurse practitioner.

 

[OceanDMD]

Like I said, there are programs (LVI) that offer post-graduate education to dentists that want to pursue a concentration in aesthetic work.

How do you figure cosmetics is the result of a doctor/patient relationship more than anything else in dentistry? While important in any field, I would assume people looking for beauty enhancements generally don't seek them out based on a relationship more than others.

I didn't get laser hair removal on my neck because of my relationship with the nurse practitioner.

I am in an LVI trained practice. LVI is merely a modality and extended training in cosmetics and full mouth rehabs. You cannot do cosmetics without being able to do the rest of the general practice dentistry. 95% of all dentists in practice would probably prefer to do just cosmetics. We are in a practice that is 30 years old. As a result the patient base has grown a relationship with the dentists. You have to be insane to walk off the street, drop $14,000 for a permanent change in your appearance, and not trust the dentist, know the dentist, and want to see the dentists prior cases. Comparing laser hair removal to cosmetic dentistry is laughable. Go get your degree, bust your arse for several years, get to know your patients, get the education to develop skills required for successful cosmetics, and then maybe you will start to develop a cosmetic portion of your dental practice. Posting as a pre-dent that all you want to do is cosmetic dentistry shows how little knowledge you have of the field.

 

[prydA]

i'm just a pre-dent, but have worked for and known a cosmetic dentist very well. skill/competence in cosmetic dentistry is built up over time esp. like the above poster said, it isn't directly taught in school.

people who are looking for cosmetic procedures to be done usually go by REFERRALS, and referrals are gathered by EXPERIENCE and prior case work. no one is going to refer you fresh from d-school, you will have trouble finding your own patients if you opened up a general dentistry let alone a cosmetic practice.

 

[Blue Moose]

First of all, coming straight out of dental school you won't be ready to do strictly cosmetic dentistry, even if you do a 6 day course at LVI, you won't be ready.

Second of all, the type of patients that seek out purely cosmetic dentistry are the patients that are the biggest pain in the butt, they are the pickiest about the outcome, and if they aren't 100% completely satisfied, which some patients never are, they are the most likely to sue.

If i were you, i would worry about getting into dental school first. If you get an interview, make sure you let them know that you are only interested in cosmetic dentistry and making money; not treating disease or patients with common dental problems. This will most likely help you get accepted.

 

[Enso]

I am in an LVI trained practice. LVI is merely a modality and extended training in cosmetics and full mouth rehabs. You cannot do cosmetics without being able to do the rest of the general practice dentistry. 95% of all dentists in practice would probably prefer to do just cosmetics. We are in a practice that is 30 years old. As a result the patient base has grown a relationship with the dentists. You have to be insane to walk off the street, drop $14,000 for a permanent change in your appearance, and not trust the dentist, know the dentist, and want to see the dentists prior cases. Comparing laser hair removal to cosmetic dentistry is laughable. Go get your degree, bust your arse for several years, get to know your patients, get the education to develop skills required for successful cosmetics, and then maybe you will start to develop a cosmetic portion of your dental practice. Posting as a pre-dent that all you want to do is cosmetic dentistry shows how little knowledge you have of the field.

I don't recall saying I had much knowledge of the field. This was a question based on what my interests in dentistry were.

Thanks for your two cents it's an opinion worth considering. Be less smug next time.

 

[Enso]

i'm just a pre-dent, but have worked for and known a cosmetic dentist very well. skill/competence in cosmetic dentistry is built up over time esp. like the above poster said, it isn't directly taught in school.

people who are looking for cosmetic procedures to be done usually go by REFERRALS, and referrals are gathered by EXPERIENCE and prior case work. no one is going to refer you fresh from d-school, you will have trouble finding your own patients if you opened up a general dentistry let alone a cosmetic practice.

Makes sense, thank you.

 

[Ibanez]

my passion for dentistry is purely cosmetic. While I realize all dentistry is cosmetic in nature my interests aren't in medical treatment (crowns, canals) but aesthetic enhancement (veneers, lumineers, etc). My question is, would it be non-traditional or abnormal to do strictly cosmetic stuff ?

Thanks guys

Hey

I think you should not opt for dentistry as your career. You will have to go through a 2 year "medical" - basic sciences coursework. Apart from that you will never be satisfied and be miserable, since most of clinical sciences coursework will not interest you.

Even if you graduate D-School, I think you will either have to be flexible then with treatment procedures or just leave it for good...

my passion for dentistry is purely cosmetic

Or you can consider Fashion, Glamour, make-up or hairstyling et cetra to satisfy your passion for "purely cosmetic" career.

fresh out of dental school .

You cannot be a chooser! You will not be a chooser!

abnormal to do strictly cosmetic stuff, "my interests aren't in medical treatment (crowns, canals)".

Yes.

Can people have success with just focusing on one niche?

Yes, but for that they first create a niche!

I didn't get laser hair removal on my neck because of my relationship with the nurse practitioner.

Face(smile and such) is all together a different region... Everything becomes very obvious on a face. While you can manage to do away a "laser hair removal on neck" from someone you are not sure of but when it comes to face, people certainly look for someone credible for the treatment required. Here prior relationship with Patients come into play... and the best advertisement as they say is a happy-patient-post-treatment!

Cosmetic dentistry is not a specialty so if your patients need a root canal or crown, procedures within the realm of general dentistry and you refer them, chances are they wont fully trust you, or come back to you.

True true!

M.

PS This is what I would have told my brother or a son if given a situation like yours' .

 

[Enso]

If you get an interview, make sure you let them know that you are only interested in cosmetic dentistry and making money; not treating disease or patients with common dental problems. This will most likely help you get accepted.

Thanks, but I was just planning on smiling and flaunting my $14,000 whites.

 

[Ibanez]

the type of patients that seek out purely cosmetic dentistry are the patients that are the biggest pain in the butt, they are the pickiest about the outcome, and if they aren't 100% completely satisfied, which some patients never are, they are the most likely to sue.

👍 👍

If i were you, i would worry about getting into dental school first. If you get an interview, make sure you let them know that you are only interested in cosmetic dentistry and making money; not treating disease or patients with common dental problems. This will most likely help you get accepted.

🙄





M.

 

[Enso]

Hey

I think you should not opt for dentistry as your career. You will have to go through a 2 year "medical" - basic sciences coursework. Apart from that you will never be satisfied and be miserable, since most of clinical sciences coursework will not interest you.

Even if you graduate D-School, I think you will either have to be flexible then with treatment procedures or just leave it for good...



Or you can consider Fashion, Glamour, make-up or hairstyling et cetra to satisfy your passion for "purely cosmetic" career.



You cannot be a chooser! You will not be a chooser!



Yes.



Yes, but for that they first create a niche!




Face(smile and such) is all together a different region... Everything becomes very obvious on a face. While you can manage to do away a "laser hair removal on neck" from someone you are not sure of but when it comes to face, people certainly look for someone credible for the treatment required. Here prior relationship with Patients come into play... and the best advertisement as they say is a happy-patient-post-treatment!




True true!

M.

PS This is what I would have told my brother or a son if given a situation like yours' .

As far as the "fashion" comment... I actually enjoy medicine and serving the community. I come from a family of four thoracic surgeons so I know the lifestyle and persona of the "Dr." and have been surrounded by it my whole life. If it boils down to me doing root canals and crowns in the beginning who are you to say I'm not cut out for it?

 

[Ibanez]

As far as the "fashion" comment... I actually enjoy medicine and serving the community. I come from a family of four thoracic surgeons so I know the lifestyle and persona of the "Dr." and have been surrounded by it my whole life. If it boils down to me doing root canals and crowns in the beginning who are you to say I'm not cut out for it?

Or may be you are just aware of the lifestyle and persona of a doctor and not what goes into making of a doctor. Everyone in my family is a doc as well... Dad-Internist, Mom-Obs & Gynae, Brother- Student Surgeon, give me 8-10 years I will be a OMFS myself! What we share is the passion for "science" rather than " purely cosmetic intentions of dentistry". That said, not everyone in a family have similar interests.

If root canals and crowns boils you up, D-School will give you pretty many chances! That was just a suggestion, since your "interests aren't in medical treatment". Your family of 4 thoracic surgeons have such an effect on you!

Take it easy, Enso!

M.

 

[Enso]

Or may be you are just aware of the lifestyle and persona of a doctor and not what goes into making of a doctor. Everyone in my family is a doc as well... Dad-Internist, Mom-Obs & Gynae, Brother- Student Uro-Surgeon, give me 8-10 years I will be a OMFS myself! What we share is the passion for "science" rather than " purely cosmetic intentions of dentistry". That said, not everyone in a family have similar interests.

If root canals and crowns boils you up, D-School will give you pretty many chances! That was just a suggestion, since your "interests aren't in medical treatment". Your family of 4 thoracic surgeons have such an effect on you!

Take it easy, Enso!

M.

Duely noted. Takin it easy.

 

[cobalt31]

i'm not sure if i'm one to talk, but i've spent some time with an esthetic dentist, and while he still does everything from canals to crowns, he is rather artsy. for example he has a number of massive paintings he's made hanging in his house. but he likes using this talent and sharing it with patients to make them feel better about the way they look. i don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to use your artistic skills to make people look better (via esthetics).

but i also don't think its possible to even come close to making it the only thing you do. i think caustic comments are pretty excessive on SDN when it comes to cosmetics, specializing, and high return professions/procedures, and rightly so, but in this case some people are genuinely interested in the artistic side of it and aren't necessarily just interested in money too...

i can't speak for enso, but i think his question was rather harmless.

 

[Enso]

i'm not sure if i'm one to talk, but i've spent some time with an esthetic dentist, and while he still does everything from canals to crowns, he is rather artsy. for example he has a number of massive paintings he's made hanging in his house. but he likes using this talent and sharing it with patients to make them feel better about the way they look. i don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to use your artistic skills to make people look better (via esthetics).

but i also don't think its possible to even come close to making it the only thing you do. i think caustic comments are pretty excessive on SDN when it comes to cosmetics, specializing, and high return professions/procedures, and rightly so, but in this case some people are genuinely interested in the artistic side of it and aren't necessarily just interested in money too...

i can't speak for enso, but i think his question was rather harmless.

I appreciate your response and understanding. Like you said about the dentist you spent time with, I'm just striving to utilize my love for art, sculpture, and design somehow in the medical field, which I also love.

 

[HupHolland]

As far as the "fashion" comment... I actually enjoy medicine and serving the community. I come from a family of four thoracic surgeons so I know the lifestyle and persona of the "Dr." and have been surrounded by it my whole life. If it boils down to me doing root canals and crowns in the beginning who are you to say I'm not cut out for it?

Insisting that you want to do cosmetics and attend LVI, but don't want to "do crowns" is absolutely hilarious.

You should really think about cosmetology school. People like yourself are the reason I left FL.

-Hup

 

[runrabbitrun]

I dont think your love for esthetics alone is grounds for villifying you. All healthcare professionals (md's, dds's, dmd's, rn's) have one goal: to treat people by preventing/eliminating/managing disease...whether that disease is heart disease, caries, malocclusion, or self esteem/psychosocial in nature.

If you one day want to do nothing but veneers, bleachings, and full-mouth reconstructions...I have no problem with that b/c you will still be treating your patient's disease. I must warn you, however, that many people, including other dentists, will not see the reasons people might seek veneers and other cosmetic procedures as a valid disease.

My concern for you is that you will do almost zero "cosmetic" work in dental school, you will be trained and practice treating "traditional" dental diseases. You will not make it through dental school and the first decade or more it takes you to develop the skills, patient base, and referrals to reach your cosmetic-only goal if you cannot learn to appreciate the value (& esthetics) in an MOD amalgam on #19, or delivering a pfm crown on #5, or making an RPD for someone with a mouth full of teeth that you can count on both hands.

If a cosmetic practice is your one-day goal, I have no problem with this, but you must get some more exposure to a regular, everyday GP to make sure you can also be satisfied doing this, because this is what you will be doing almost everyday of your life once you enter d-school (the number of 100% cosmetic only practices is very slim).

 

[OceanDMD]

Insisting that you want to do cosmetics and attend LVI, but don't want to "do crowns" is absolutely hilarious.

You should really think about cosmetology school. People like yourself are the reason I left FL.

-Hup

When I made the "smug" comment about not understanding the field, it certainly was not meant to be arrogant and "dr-like". I just find this thread to be really ignorant. Cosmetic dentistry is reliant on the understanding of occlusion and the basic principles of restorative dentistry. If you dont understand these principles first, you will get yourself in trouble. I have seen dozens of veneer cases that have failed because these principles are not followed, and patients are pissed. There is nothing wrong with being artistic, hell, I see beauty in my radiographs of successful molar endo. In my opinion, you need to put the "engineer" hat on first, and then paint your picture.

 

[pietrodds]

Every dentist would love to just do cosmetic dentist on people willing and able to pay cash up front for everything. The laws of supply and demand dictate otherwise. Someone with the means to pay the equivalent of a new car is not going to just pay a 25-30 yr old newbie big $$ to do lots of great dentistry... primarily because you can't for the first couple years after you get your degree.

Just like a plastic surgeon is a medical doctor, cosmetic dentists(which isn't even a real specialty) are general dentists first and you need to know how to do that well way before you jump into the realm of cosmetics. On top of that, when the economy gets tight like now the cosmetic cases dry up and if your not into doing 'boring' dentistry it's a swift kick in the nuts and your income.

 

[Enso]

Insisting that you want to do cosmetics and attend LVI, but don't want to "do crowns" is absolutely hilarious.

Glad I made you smile. We're glad you left Florida you don't belong here.

 

[Enso]

You need to put the "engineer" hat on first, and then paint your picture.

Now you're relating to me. Interesting quote.

 

[Enso]

Every dentist would love to just do cosmetic dentist on people willing and able to pay cash up front for everything. The laws of supply and demand dictate otherwise. Someone with the means to pay the equivalent of a new car is not going to just pay a 25-30 yr old newbie big $$ to do lots of great dentistry... primarily because you can't for the first couple years after you get your degree.

Just like a plastic surgeon is a medical doctor, cosmetic dentists(which isn't even a real specialty) are general dentists first and you need to know how to do that well way before you jump into the realm of cosmetics. On top of that, when the economy gets tight like now the cosmetic cases dry up and if your not into doing 'boring' dentistry it's a swift kick in the nuts and your income.

Couple things. What I'm getting is that it's important to learn the technical aspects of general dentistry before one can be good at doing the artistic/aesthetic stuff, good to know.

Also, will cosmetic cases dry up that much in poor economies? Just out of curiosity. I would assume since you're tending to clientele with the top income percentiles they wouldn't really be affected by economy.

 

[Enso]

If a cosmetic practice is your one-day goal, I have no problem with this, but you must get some more exposure to a regular, everyday GP to make sure you can also be satisfied doing this, because this is what you will be doing almost everyday of your life once you enter d-school (the number of 100% cosmetic only practices is very slim).

Good points. I recently began shadowing a general practice and I like what I've been exposed to so far.

 

[OceanDMD]

Couple things. What I'm getting is that it's important to learn the technical aspects of general dentistry before one can be good at doing the artistic/aesthetic stuff, good to know.

Also, will cosmetic cases dry up that much in poor economies? Just out of curiosity. I would assume since you're tending to clientele with the top income percentiles they wouldn't really be affected by economy.

Cosmetic clientel come from all demographics, not just the rich and famous. Treat all your patients like they have a wad of cash in their pockets. You would be surprised, often those that look like and act like money aren't the ones saying yes to treatment

 

[makushin]

While I know many people get into this field for various reasons my passion for dentistry is purely cosmetic. While I realize all dentistry is cosmetic in nature my interests aren't in medical treatment (crowns, canals) but aesthetic enhancement (veneers, lumineers, etc). My question is, would it be non-traditional or abnormal to do strictly cosmetic stuff fresh out of dental school? Can people have success with just focusing on one niche? I've heard of LVI but that's about it. I realize my marketing strategy would have to be different than a family dentist.

Thanks guys.

Let me get this straight-- you want to run a practice doing only veneers and whitening? If this is what you're saying, it will never happen. You might consider a prosth residency, but quite frankly, if you aren't interested in the medical aspect of things, do yourself a favor and focus on another career path. There is way too much BS involved in this path, it is not what you're looking for.

You're goal is about as realistic as someone from the midwest moving to LA and becoming a movie star. Technically it is possible, it does happen, but you better be willing to accept the fate of the other 99.99%.

 

[Ibanez]

You might consider a prosth residency, but quite frankly, if you aren't interested in the medical aspect of things, do yourself a favor and focus on another career path.

Chances are, given his attitude towards dentistry, that prosth residency will kill him q1s(ec) !
And yes, he should consider other career options.

Technically it is possible, it does happen, but you better be willing to accept the fate of the other 99.99%.

I agree but he is "The 0.01% Candidate", Makushin.

M.

 

[makushin]

If there's one pattern I've noticed at dental school, it's that everyone thinks they are the .01%. We'll see how that all works out.

 

[Ibanez]

If there's one pattern I've noticed at dental school, it's that everyone thinks they are the .01%. We'll see how that all works out.

I bet, if he graduates D-School, he will be stuck with that aspect of dentistry that he is least interested in... Crowns and Root Canals!
(And I am glad he did not mentioned extractions and I/Ds and such! I guess he does not consider such and such as medical treatments )
Keeping my loaded guns aside, I think he will understand and will perphaps bend his interests to a more "medical treatment" friendly dentistry... Crowns and Root Canals! 🙄

M.

PS Some part of me thinks he is afraid of the real dentistry and wants to confine his career path to easy money making non-bloody dentistry? 😕

 

[Enso]

I bet, if he graduates D-School, he will be stuck with that aspect of dentistry that he is least interested in... Crowns and Root Canals!
(And I am glad he did not mentioned extractions and I/Ds and such! I guess he does not consider such and such as medical treatments )
Keeping my loaded guns aside, I think he will understand and will perphaps bend his interests to a more "medical treatment" friendly dentistry... Crowns and Root Canals! 🙄

M.

PS Some part of me thinks he is afraid of the real dentistry and wants to confine his career path to easy money making non-bloody dentistry? 😕

Your high level of douchebaggery really manifests itself. When outside doubt sets in it only strengthens the human will.

I'm very confident I'll be more than happy to learn whatever clinical procedures I'm exposed to in dental school. Since I have to repeat things, I'm only stating the type of dentistry that I (and probably most people) favor.

 

[Ibanez]

Your high level of douchebaggery really manifests itself. When outside doubt sets in it only strengthens the human will.

I'm very confident I'll be more than happy to learn whatever clinical procedures I'm exposed to in dental school. Since I have to repeat things, I'm only stating the type of dentistry that I (and probably most people) favor.

I am sorry, I should not have judged you... You are not "The 0.01% Candidate".

Good Luck,
M.

 

[Ibanez]

Your high level of douchebaggery really manifests itself.

You like enemas, don't you?

 

[Enso]

You like enemas, don't you?

I like it when kids like you come down to South Beach and get laughed at.

Take it easy, Ibanez!

 

[Ibanez]

I like it when kids like you come down to South Beach and get laughed at.

Take it easy, Ibanez!

Duely noted. Taking it easy...

M.
PS Douche-bag-g-ing is stimulating, you know!

 

[makushin]

Your high level of douchebaggery really manifests itself. When outside doubt sets in it only strengthens the human will.

I'm very confident I'll be more than happy to learn whatever clinical procedures I'm exposed to in dental school. Since I have to repeat things, I'm only stating the type of dentistry that I (and probably most people) favor.

While we're on the topic of douchebags... who is in your profile picture?

Good luck with your ambitions. Don't let scrubs and cadavers ruin all the glamour in dentistry.

 

[aphistis]

Closing.