How do I pick a qualified dentist to do my veneers? What credential does he/she need? Thanks!

Here is how you choose the best veneer doctor:1)  The most important factor in picking a cosmetic dentist to do your veneers is to view their before and after photos.  Before and after photos show you exactly what the doctor is capable of and what they are not capable of.  Make sure that the pictures are of actual patients of that dentist and not stock photos.  Veneers are all about appearance and detail, so before and after photos are the biggest factor to consider.  2)  Ask the dentist how many veneers have they placed in their lifetime.  When a dentist answers thousands, then this is a great answer.  If a dentist answers, "several" or "I can't count," then this is an indication that they may not have done thousands of cases.3)  Does the dentist offer a warranty or guarantee on how long your veneers will last without cracking or chipping or coming off?  I always offer a 10 year guarantee on every veneer I place, but I let patients know that their veneer should last 20-30 years with proper oral hygiene and 6 month cleanings.  Whether the dentist is willing to stand behind his/her work is one of the biggest tell-tale signs of the type of quality that you are getting.4)  How is the price?  The price of a nice veneer should range between $1,200 and $1,800, depending on your region of the country.  Some doctors will occasionally offer promotions, where they reduce their cost slightly because they do so many veneers, but generally, you do not want to get a veneer placed for 5 or 6 hundred dollars.  If the price is much over $1800, then you are likely paying way too much.5)  Find a "Top Doctor" on Realself that has great before and after photos.  Go to their website and investigate them before sending an email.  6)  The least important factor to consider is the organization that doctors belong to.  I can tell you that there are many doctors that join cosmetic dental organizations that are very good and there are many that have very poor attention to cosmetic details and are just joining these organizations for marketing purposes.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMD

Since "Cosmetic Dentistry" is NOT a specialty (unlike orthodontics or oral surgery, etc), any dentist can claim they are a cosmetic dentist even if the only cosmetic thing they do is white fillings or crowns.  When doing a smile, experience matters.  Ask for photos of cases just like yours.  If you have gaps, ask to see gap closure cases.  If your teeth are crooked, ask for "instant orthodontic" cases.  Ask for education experience.  Dental school is not enough, the dentist should have training beyond dental school, specifically in esthetics.  Ask about materials and lab technicians used. Ask if they use a diagnositc waxup, or if they know what that is (if they don't, RUN).  Ask how long they have been doing veneers and how often (someone trained 10 years ago but hasn't done a case SINCE is not likely a good choice).  Ask how conservative their methods are (some say they do veneers but really do full crowns.  Not BAD, per se, but perhaps overkill).  Ask if they bond or cement (bond is better when doing veneers).Good cosmetic dentists don't HAVE to have all of this, but it can be difficult to know qualifications.  The experience/photos are likely the most important since that means your case won't be their "first rodeo."

Someone that is experienced in cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry would be a great starting point. Credentials, such a Masters in Aesthetic Dentistry out of the King’s College of London. It’s a postgraduate program, particularly geared at aesthetic dentistry and comprises veneer, bonding and composite work, and many aspects of smile design. These sorts of qualifications do take a fair bit of time and are accumulated over the years. So certainly, experience would be the first.