Cosmetic Dentistry 411

American Idol is a show that pits aspiring musicians against one another in order to identify the next breakout star based on their vocal talents and showmanship. But anyone who watches the show religiously knows that the real hunt is for the rising star who most embodies the American ideals of authenticity, work ethic, and in many cases, overcoming of adversity. And these qualities are precisely what got Crystal Bowersox into the final rounds.

Although her musical chops were significant, her small town roots, her years struggling as a busker in Chicago and her relatable spirituality, and relationship woes (she broke up with her longtime boyfriend just hours before the final performance) made her a fan favorite during the ninth season of American Idol.

But just before embarking on her nationwide American Idols Live! Tour, she made a controversial reveal. Bowersox, who previously commanded a certain unpretentious, au natural appeal with her earthy dreadlocks and conspicuously gap-toothed smile, had apparently visited a cosmetic dentist. San Diego’s CBS 8 ran the TV Guide story that showed a picture featuring the 24-year old singer/songwriter with a pearly white row of gorgeous, perfectly aligned teeth.

Bowersox’s decision to invest in cosmetic work initially touched off some knee jerk backlash from her fan base. Some fans lamented the loss of her distinctive gap while others accused her of succumbing to vanity in the face of blinding stardom. But there’s more to the story than appearances.

Just prior to the final round of voting, Bowersox disclosed that she had been a longtime sufferer of diabetes. According to a USA Today interview, Bowersox had been reduced to begging outside of pharmacies in order to afford her insulin. “No one should ever have to do that,” she said, while pledging to use her platform as a celebrity to raise awareness and support for childhood diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are highly susceptible to dental health problems, which likely explains Bowersox’s own issues, which were not mentioned in the story circulated by CBS 8 San Diego.

Dental bonding, dental implants, and other cosmetic dental procedures have helped Bowersox rectify a symptom of her diabetes in a way that is symbolic of her crusade to help undo the damage that too little awareness of childhood diabetes has wrought upon the public at large.

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Like medical surgery, dentistry is a practice which has a distinct cosmetic offshoot. To protect the safety of the public, government agencies oversee the licensing of all practicing dentists and medical doctors. But because artistry and mastery over cosmetic procedures fall into more subjective realms, certification of cosmetic dentists isn’t typically subject to oversight from federal licensing boards.

In other words, while a licensed doctor may be guaranteed to have met the minimum standards and qualifications to perform routine dentistry, their licensure does not speak to their proficiency or academic background in cosmetic work.

In the world of cosmetic surgery, under-qualification is a persistent issue. Doctors from other specialties—such as internal medicine or podiatry—often switch over to cosmetic surgery seeking higher profits. This issue extends into the field of cosmetic dentistry. The responsibility then falls upon the consumer to determine which cosmetic dentists are true specialists.

One sign of a highly qualified cosmetic dentist is training from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). This highly acclaimed post-doctoral educational institute exposes dentists to specialized training in cosmetic procedures, such as dental implants and tooth whitening. The beauty of LVI dentist training is that it is an internationally recognized credential that can be easily verified by consumers who are researching a cosmetic dentist. San Diego patients can run a search online to see which courses have been completed by any given cosmetic dentist. La Jolla patients, New York patients, Chicago patients and patients from any city in the world can use the same system in order to verify that their cosmetic dentist has specific training in the procedures they offer.

In summary, it’s important to remember that cosmetic dentists are not required by law to have any post-doctoral training or education in new aesthetic procedures. Cosmetic dentists who wish to provide superior results, the utmost in safety, and more confidence in their services can voluntarily pursue additional training in the procedures and technologies they wish to utilize. By seeking an LVI-trained cosmetic dentist, you can be assured that your doctor has the knowledge and experience required to perform excellent work.

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