We are proud to announce that our North Oaks dentist, Dr. Gesica Horn, recently achieved AACD Fellowship.

Fellowship is the highest level of achievement recognized by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry… This text opens a new tab to the AACD website… (AACD). Dr. Horn is 1 in only 86 dentists worldwide who have accomplished this level of distinction.

What does this mean for you and your smile?

In this blog, we’ll outline the significance of Dr. Horn’s AACD Fellowship, what makes her the best cosmetic dentist, and why you should trust her with your smile (with pictures to prove it).

AACD Fellowship: What you need to know

First, it’s important to understand what makes a cosmetic dentist.

Since cosmetic dentistry isn’t a specialized dental field that’s regulated like orthodontics, technically, any dentist can call themselves a “cosmetic dentist.”

This can be problematic because you may search for a “cosmetic dentist near me” and find one with no formal training or experience on the complexity of cosmetic dentistry services.

How do you find a good cosmetic dentist?

A top cosmetic dentist is one who treats cosmetic dentistry as a specialized field. They will have additional training, education, and experience in cosmetic dental treatments beyond dental school.

The best way for a dentist to prove his/her credibility as a cosmetic dentist is to become an Accredited Member of the AACD.

The AACD is the world’s largest organization for cosmetic dental professionals. To become a member, you must pass a rigorous clinical test, including:

• Written examination
• Two workshops
• Submission of 5 clinical cases
• Oral examination

Even after passing this test, AACD dentists continue to hone in their skills through education and mentorship.

So, the next time you search for “the best cosmetic dentist near me,” make sure you ask if they are Accredited with the AACD.

That way, you can trust their dental work has passed the highest standards of ethical conduct and responsible patient care.

But if you really want to find the BEST cosmetic dentist, it doesn’t stop there…

How does a dentist get AACD Fellowship?

Once a dentist has received Accreditation, they can aim for the highest level of achievement in the AACD, which is Fellowship.

This process can take years to complete because it requires 50 clinical case submissions, and each case must be of a different patient.

As Dr. Horn said,

“These cases don’t come through your door daily. What I may have thought was beautiful several years ago, would not even make the cut now. It takes many years to achieve this because of the sheer amount of 50 cases that have to pass by the highest of the AACD’s standards.”

These 50 case submissions must prove a dentist’s skill in both the scientific and artistic aspects of cosmetic dentistry. With new dental technology and modern techniques, this can be hard to acquire because dentistry is continually advancing forward.

For a preview of what these cases look like, check out a few of Dr. Horn’s real patients’ before and after photos below.

You can view more smile makeover before and after photos in our smile gallery.

Upon successfully passing the case submissions, an Accredited Member then becomes a Fellow of the AACD. To date, only 86 dentists worldwide have achieved AACD Fellowship, and Dr. Horn is one of them.

AACD Fellowship: Why it matters to dental patients

Now that you have an understanding of what it means to be an AACD Fellow, like Dr. Horn, it’s time to dive into what it means for you and your smile.

By choosing an AACD Fellow for your cosmetic dental work, you can expect:

1. Skills

An AACD Fellow has proven their hand at cosmetic dentistry more than once.

Cosmetic treatments require a high level of science and artistry to create smiles that not only look natural and gorgeous but are also long-lasting and functional.

On top of that, you can trust your smile is in good hands with Dr. Horn because of the high standards she sets for herself.

2. Modern dentistry

For an AACD dentist, education does not cease at dental school. They continually seek out continuing education to stay abreast of the latest in dentistry and find new ways to improve your dental experience.

At Serene Oaks Dental, you can expect:

• Superior technology: From CEREC same-day crowns to the iTero scanner (goodbye goopy impressions), we aim to make your visits faster, effective, and more comfortable.
• Additional services: Dr. Horn is passionate about helping you feel your best, which is why we have extended our services to include cosmetic services like Botox®.
• Anti-aging dentistry: Aging is inevitable, but we can help you reverse the effects with a spin on cosmetic dentistry, giving you a facelift without surgery.
• High-quality partnerships: With years of experience, Dr. Horn has a select group of world-class ceramists and labs she works with to create your new smile. Not to mention, they seek her out because of her achievements and reputation.

3. Comprehensive services

As an AACD Fellow, Dr. Horn is an expert in all areas of cosmetic dentistry. Her services include:

• Porcelain Veneers
• Dental Crowns
• Botox
• Dermal Fillers
• Dental Bonding
• Teeth Whitening
• Smile Design

Unsure what dental treatments you need to improve your smile?

Schedule a FREE virtual dental consultation with our cosmetic dentist in North Oaks, MN! In three easy steps, you can get your smile questions answered with our professional recommendations.

4. Unbeatable results

Last but not least, the most significant difference between an AACD Fellow and other dentists is the result you will receive.

Dr. Horn’s smile transformations are fully customizable to meet your expectations. From cosmetic bonding to porcelain veneers, you can expect natural-looking and high-quality results every time.

Choose a dentist with AACD Fellowship

By trusting your smile to an AACD Fellowship dentist, your smile is backed with experience, training, and skill beyond the average “cosmetic dentist.”

Dr. Horn believes cosmetic dentistry deserves its own level of authority, similar to dental specialties like endodontics, which is why she has gone above and beyond to achieve the highest level of distinction in cosmetic dentistry worldwide through the AACD.

If you’re in the North Oaks area, we invite you to schedule an in-office or virtual consultation with our expert dentist to see how she can improve your smile.

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Serene Oaks Dental is conveniently located in Minneapolis and serves surrounding communities, including North Oaks, White Bear Lake, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Shoreview, and Arden Hills.