How to Choose a Cosmetic Dentist in New Haven, CT

Choosing someone to change the way your smile looks is a personal decision, and it can feel hard to know who to trust when every website says the same things. The most useful questions are simple: whose work will you see, how will your smile be designed, and what training stands behind it. At Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven, CT, Dr. Summer Lerch holds Accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, one of the most demanding credentials in cosmetic dentistry, and we're happy to walk you through what that means.

Understanding that any dentist can offer cosmetic dentistry

Here is something many people don't realize: there is no separate license for cosmetic dentistry, so any general dentist can offer veneers, bonding or a smile makeover. That doesn't mean every dentist does this work often or does it the same way. Training, experience and an eye for design vary a great deal, and the difference shows in whether a smile looks like your own teeth or like something added on top of them.

That's why it helps to go into your first consultation with a few questions ready, so you can compare practices on what matters to you and not only on price or convenience.

Asking to see real work from the dentist you'll see

Before-and-after photos are the clearest window into a dentist's style, as long as they are cases the dentist actually treated. Look at the shape, the shade and whether the teeth look natural next to the lips and face. Ask how many cases like yours they treat, and whether the photos show their own patients. You can browse Dr. Lerch's own results in our smile gallery, including veneers, bonding and full smile makeovers.

Knowing what AACD Accreditation involves

Accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry is earned, not bought. A dentist submits a set of their own cases to a board of examiners — in Dr. Lerch's words, cases like replacing a missing front tooth, repairing a broken front tooth, six hand-bonded veneers and six porcelain veneers — and passes written and oral exams. Dr. Lerch says roughly half of the dentists who attempt it don't pass the first time.

Dr. Lerch was the fourth woman in the world to be Accredited by the AACD, and she went on to serve as an Accreditation Examiner, judging other dentists' cases for years. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the American College of Dentists.

Looking for a consultation that takes its time

A good cosmetic consultation should feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch. Watch for whether the dentist asks what bothers you about your smile, looks at your face and lips as well as your teeth, and explains your options in plain language. At our New Haven office, the smile design consultation is unhurried, several members of our team are part of it, and there is a big mirror in every room so you can see exactly what Dr. Lerch sees.

You should also leave knowing what the plan costs. Most of our patients leave their consultation with a written plan and clear pricing, and financing is available for qualifying smile plans, so you can decide without pressure.

Finding a dentist who designs for natural results

The best cosmetic work is often the work nobody notices, because it simply looks like a lovely smile. Dr. Lerch believes a smile should be in harmony with your face, and that doesn't always mean the brightest white. In her words, "We make teeth look like teeth." She works closely with a skilled dental lab and with you, treating every case as a collaboration between the dental team, the lab and the patient.

Visiting a cosmetic dentist in downtown New Haven

Center for Esthetic Dentistry is at 375 Orange Street, two blocks from the New Haven Green, with free parking behind the building. We welcome patients from New Haven and nearby towns including Hamden, North Haven, West Haven, Branford, Guilford and Madison. Meet Dr. Lerch and our team, explore our smile design services, or schedule your consultation.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to be an AACD Accredited dentist?

It means the dentist has passed the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry's Accreditation process, which includes examiners reviewing their own clinical cases and written and oral exams. Dr. Summer Lerch of Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven was the fourth woman in the world to earn it and later served as an Accreditation Examiner.

Is a cosmetic dentist a dental specialist?

No. Cosmetic dentistry is not a separate licensed specialty, so any general dentist can offer it. That's why training and credentials like AACD Accreditation matter when you compare practices. At our New Haven, CT office, Dr. Lerch has focused on cosmetic dentistry for decades and can show you her own before-and-after cases.

What should I ask at a cosmetic dental consultation?

Ask whose cases appear in the before-and-after photos, how your smile will be designed, whether you can see the plan before treatment starts, and what the total cost will be. At Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven, Dr. Lerch answers each of these and gives you time to think before deciding.

How do I know if veneers will look natural?

Look at the dentist's own work and ask how they choose shape and shade. Dr. Lerch in New Haven designs veneers as a set with a skilled dental lab, matching them to your face, lips and the rest of your teeth, and she shows you the design before any permanent work begins so there are no surprises.

Do I need a referral to see a cosmetic dentist in New Haven?

No referral is needed. You can call Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven, CT directly at (203) 624-5256 to schedule a smile design consultation with Dr. Lerch. Cosmetic treatment is fee-for-service, and our team will explain pricing and financing for qualifying smile plans before you begin.

 Center for Esthetic Dentistry, 375 Orange St, New Haven, CT 06511. Call (203) 624-5256.