How Do I Find the Best Cosmetic Dentist?

This is much more difficult to do today because every dentist who does porcelain crowns and veneers nowadays calls themselves a cosmetic dentist. What most people want is a cosmetic dentist who has been well trained, who is experienced, who has great artistic ability, who REALLY listens to you, and then someone who follows through and delivers what was promised.

Where do you find such a dentist?  Well, the internet is probably the best place to start searching for cosmetic dentists who you are thinking of evaluating to see if they are a match for you.

I would suggest doing a Google search for "porcelain veneers plus the city or county that you live in."  Look for a dentist who has many examples OF THEIR ACTUAL COSMETIC DENTISTRY, not just stock photography.

Read their bio.  How many years have they actually practiced dentistry?  Where did they get their post doctoral cosmetic training?  LVI or the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies has one of the most highly acclaimed programs for cosmetic dentistry in the world today.  Also, the dentist a member of any of the major cosmetic dentistry organizations, like the AACD (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry), ACE (Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics), etc.  Just from the web sites you'll get some good or uncertain feelings about the dentist.  Try to narrow your list to under five and then call their office.  Tell them what you're looking for and see how they respond.  It should be easy to see if they are genuinely concerned and want to help you, or too busy to answer any questions and give you any personalized care.  You should be able to narrow your choice down to 2-4 dentists.  Next make a cosmetic consultation.  Look at the office, how neat and professional is it.  Are there before and after photos demonstrating how proud the dentist is of the treatments he has been providing his cosmetic patients?  Do they see you on time?  Do they carefully listen to your concerns and show the confidence that they can solve your problems and deliver the kind of dentistry that will meet your expectations?  In many areas there are so few great cosmetic dentists that really stand out that it shouldn't be difficult to find one that you trust and and relate to.  Ask to see before and after photos of patients they have treated with dental problems that looked similar to theirs.  Do your homework and be careful whom you choose.  In our practice about one third of all the patients we treat are people who were dissatisfied with their previous cosmetic dentistry and are asking that we redo the porcelain veneers or crowns that were done by their last dentist.  I can't tell you enough how much better it is to do the treatment right the first time than having to redo someone else's treatment who was not able to meet the patient's expectations.

Good luck,

Dr. Norman Huefner

While the internet has become a fast and easy tract to finding a so-called cosmetic dentist, the hard part come when deciphering who is the best in the bunch. Often search optimization and other internet marketing tricks can lead you to a cosmetic dentist who looks great online, only to find out the hard way that he/she not all they claimed to be "cracked up to be." So here are my TOP 3 Questions to help you find a great Cosmetic Dentist:

1. What is your training in Cosmetic Dentistry? Here you want to hear that this dentist had formal post graduate training in cosmetic dentistry including some artistic interest. In fact, many fine cosmetic dentists enjoy painting and sculpture as well. For example, as a pre-dental  undergraduate with a major in biology, I took a minor interest in fine arts, enjoying photography and sculpture. Expanding my interest in this area helped to refine the "aesthetic eye" which cannot be learned but developed from an innate place. 

2. How many years of cosmetic dentistry practice and what percentage of your practice is devoted to Cosmetic Dentistry? This answer should include at least 5-10 years and at least 70% including reconstructive dentistry (the foundation for good cosmetic dentistry). There are many young dentists who have great potential, but you need to find a cosmetic dentist who is primed. While I have had over 29 years of practice in cosmetic dentistry having pioneered the placement of porcelain laminate veneers since 1983, I did not really feel I was able to master my abilities until 5 years of practice.

3. Can I see examples of your cosmetic work and speak with a few of your patients? While most dentists love to show photos of their work (which can often be "photo shopped"), I like patients to be able to see cosmetic dentistry on a live patient, and actually speak and ask questions from willing patients. I have found that many patients are flattered to meet or speak with a prospective patient who may be considering the same treatment or similar cosmetic dental problem. I often find that this really helps a fearful or unsure patient understand the process and experience.