Meet Our Cosmetic Dentist – Dr. Jimmy Wu
Dr. Jimmy Wu is a San Diego native and began his dental practice in 2000. In 2005, Dr. Wu partnered with a friend who owned a dental lab, moved his practice to its current location, and brought all of his original patients along with him, establishing Sutra Dental Spa. Dr. Wu is passionate about serving his local community and has an extensive background in the areas of cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and CEREC® ceramic fillings. With his experience as a CEREC® dentist, Dr. Wu has placed over one thousand porcelain veneers and CEREC®restorations, as well as completed hundreds of full mouth reconstruction cases.
“Dentistry has always been thought of as something you have to do versus something you want to do. My goal is to change that perception of dentistry and increase the awareness of the benefits of what modern dentistry has to offer.”
~Dr. Jimmy C. Wu
Meet Dr. Wu
Education
As an undergrad at UC-San Diego, Dr. Wu contributed his lab research to the advancement of biology and medicine. During this time, he publishing an article on MCL and ACL studies and interned at an on-campus dental office. In 1995, Dr. Wu graduated with his bachelor’s degree in biology. Afterward, Dr. Wu went on to earn his D.D.S. from the University of Southern California, which he completed in 1999.
Continuing Education
In the fall of 1999, Dr. Wu moved back to San Diego and took over for a retiring dentist in the year 2000. Dr. Wu has logged more than 5,000 hours of continuing education since graduating from medical school, and he is dedicated to helping his patients achieve and maintain beautiful smiles. In addition to completing a year-long course in orthodontics and TMJ Disorder, Dr. Wu has taken courses in a wide range of topics, including cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers, and practice management. In 2002, he completed his CEREC® training, brought CEREC® technology to his practice, and is now a CEREC® Doctor. In 2004, he completed laser dentistry training and has been offering his patients the advantages of these state-of-the-art techniques ever since. Dr. Wu is committed to continuing education to remain up-to-date with the latest innovations in dentistry.
Memberships & Associations
Dr. Wu is an active member of many professional organizations, including the San Diego County Dental Society, the California Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Osseointegration, the International Association of Orthodontics, the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, CEREC® Doctors, and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Dr. Wu has been recognized as a “Top Dentist” in San Diego Magazine every year since 2006!
What Does it Mean to Be a Top Dentist?
For more than 10 consecutive years, Dr. Wu has been named a “Top Dentist” in San Diego Magazine. A Top Dentist designation is a unique and prestigious honor bestowed on dentists who are nominated by their own peers in the dental field. Each year, San Diego Magazine prints the results of a balloting process initiated by the topDentists™ organization. Thousands of dental professionals are given a questionnaire inquiring as to whom they would refer a patient who had a dental problem. The nominee’s interaction with patients, experience level, pursuit of continuing dental education, and other factors are asked to be considered by the voters. Once the ballots have been counted and the nominees have been vetted to verify they are in good standing with their state dental boards, the winners are announced. Dr. Wu has consistently made the Top Dentist list since 2006.
More About Dr. Wu
Though born in San Diego, Dr. Wu and his family moved to Lake Placid, NY when he was eight years old and discovered a love for skiing. Four years later, Dr. Wu and his family returned to the West Coast and he began racing slalom and giant slalom (GS) for Squaw Valley at the age of 15. During his free time at UC-San Diego, he took up snowboarding for the first time. Snowboarding and skiing are still two of Dr. Wu’s favorite pastimes.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Wu and the treatments he offers here at Sutra Dental Spa, please contact us today.
What is a Cosmetic Dentist?
How to Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist Near You
When looking for the best cosmetic dentist in your area, there are a few things to consider that can help you narrow down your options. Remember, you are entrusting your prospective dentist with your safety as well as the health and appearance of your teeth, so it’s important that you feel confident in his or her abilities, experience, and demeanor.
Here is a brief guide to help you make your decision:
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Review the Dentist’s Biography, Credentials, and Experience
Most websites for dental practices include a biography page with information on the dentist’s experience and credentials. Please take a look at this information carefully. The doctor’s years in practice, educational and training background, memberships and affiliations, involvement in the community, and awards/honors they have received are typically good indicators of skill and experience levels.
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Read Reviews and Patient Testimonials
There are a number of ways you can get an actual patient’s perspective on their experience with a specific dentist or dental practice. Many dentists include patient testimonials directly on their website, and third-party dentist review sites may also include reviews of the dentist you are considering. Reviews and dental patient testimonials can give you a clearer picture of the practice by learning how others feel about the care they received.
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View Before-and-After Photo Galleries
Take a look at the practice’s Smile Gallery – a collection of cosmetic dentistry before-and-after photos often available on the dentist’s website. These images feature the results of specific treatments – perhaps even ones you may be considering. This can be very helpful in determining what the dentist is capable of and how satisfactory the outcomes can be for all kinds of procedures. If the website does not contain before-and-after images, you can ask to see them while you are in the office.
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Read About the Practice’s Technology
The advanced technology utilized at the practice can often say a lot about it’s commitment to providing patients with a precise, efficient, and comfortable experience.
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Meet the Dentist and Determine Your Comfort Level
Once you are ready to schedule a consultation and meet your prospective dentist in-person, the last step in determining whether he or she is the right dentist for your needs is to evaluate how comfortable you feel in their care. Does the dentist communicate well and truly listen to your concerns? Does the dentist seem honest and forthcoming? Are you confident that treatment will be customized for your specific needs? Do you feel like you can trust the dentist? These are all things to consider upon your initial meeting.
Questions to Ask Your Cosmetic Dentist
During your initial consultation, or if you are requesting more information from the practice beforehand as you research your options, you should never hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Here are a few good questions to ask in order to gain a better understanding of the cosmetic dentist’s abilities and his approach to care:
- Are you a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)?
- What are the dental associations/societies for which you belong?
- How long have you been practicing dentistry?
- Do you pursue continuing dental education to remain abreast of the latest treatments and techniques?
- What is your general approach to care?
- Do you try to provide treatment as conservatively as possible?
- Do you utilize some of the more recent dental technology?
- Are the treatments customized for each patient?
- Can you tell me approximately how many times you have performed the specific procedure I am considering?
- Can you tell me about how long the treatment will take?
- How long do you expect the results to last?
- May I view before-and-after photos featuring the results of other patients at your practice?
In addition to experience, credentials, skills, and proven results, thorough communication and attentiveness to your concerns are hallmarks of a good cosmetic dentist!
Are you ready to schedule a consultation? If you have further questions, or if you would like to set up an appointment here at Sutra Dental Spa, please contact us today.