Not All Dentists Do Cosmetic Work — and That's Okay

Every dentist learns to place a filling and make a crown. But cosmetic dentistry — truly aesthetic, art-level cosmetic dentistry — is not a standard part of dental school curriculum. It's a skill set developed through years of postgraduate training, mentorship, and deliberate practice. The dentist who does your excellent root canal may not be the dentist you want designing your smile.

In Fort Lauderdale, you have options — lots of them. But how do you separate a genuine cosmetic dentist from a general dentist who happens to offer veneers on a menu of services? Here's what Dr. Robert Stanton would tell you to look for if you were sitting in his chair at Stanton Smiles asking this very question.

1. Look at Their Actual Work — Not Stock Photos

This is the single most important rule. A cosmetic dentist should have an extensive portfolio of their own cases — before-and-after photographs of real patients they've treated personally. Not stock images. Not photos from a lab or a textbook. Their work. If a practice's website shows only stock photography of smiling models, that's a red flag.

When you review a portfolio, look at more than just how white the teeth are. Notice: are the teeth proportional to the face? Do the veneers look like natural teeth or like identical white blocks? Is there variation in color, translucency, and texture — or do all the teeth look exactly the same? Natural teeth aren't uniform, and great cosmetic work isn't either.

2. Credentials That Actually Matter

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is the gold standard. Accreditation from the AACD is a rigorous, multi-year process involving written exams, clinical case submissions judged by peers, and an oral examination. Fewer than 500 dentists worldwide hold AACD Accreditation. Even membership and active participation in the AACD signals commitment to the discipline.

Other meaningful credentials: fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), completion of continuum programs at the Kois Center, Spear Education, or the Dawson Academy — these are immersive, multi-year training programs in advanced restorative and esthetic dentistry. A dentist who invests in this level of education is serious about their craft.

3. The Consultation Tells You Everything

A consultation with a cosmetic dentist should feel less like a sales pitch and more like a design session. Dr. Stanton's consultations typically run about 30 minutes, but he takes as long as you need, because there's a lot to cover: your goals, your concerns, what you like and don't like about your current smile, and the clinical realities of what's achievable.

During the consultation, the dentist should:

  • Listen before they talk — really understand what bothers you and what you want
  • Take photographs and show them to you on a screen so you can see what they see
  • Use digital smile design software or physical mock-ups so you can visualize outcomes
  • Discuss limitations honestly — what your particular anatomy will and won't allow
  • Provide a written treatment plan with itemized costs, not a verbal ballpark

If the consultation feels rushed, if you're talking to a treatment coordinator more than the dentist, or if you feel pressure to book immediately, trust your instincts and get a second opinion.

4. The Lab Relationship Matters

A cosmetic dentist is only as good as their ceramist. The dental lab that fabricates veneers, crowns, and bridges is an invisible partner in every case, and the quality of that partnership directly affects your result. Ask which lab the dentist uses and how long they've worked together. The best cosmetic dentists have long-standing relationships with elite labs, often visiting the lab in person for shade-taking and custom staining. Dr. Stanton takes a different approach: he designs and mills every veneer, crown, and bridge himself, in the office, with CEREC CAD/CAM technology, so the person planning your smile is the same person crafting it — and each restoration is finished in a single visit.

5. The Full Scope of Services

A great cosmetic dentist should also be a strong restorative dentist. The most beautiful smile in the world is worthless if the bite is off, the margins are open, or the gums are inflamed. Look for a practice that addresses the whole picture — implants for missing teeth, periodontal health, orthodontics for alignment, TMJ evaluation, and maintenance care. Comprehensive care under one roof means all decisions are made with the full picture in view.

6. Reviews and Reputation in the Local Community

Online reviews matter, but read them critically. Look for patterns rather than individual anecdotes. Do patients consistently mention the same positive qualities — attention to detail, comfort during procedures, natural-looking results, a caring team? Google reviews, Healthgrades, and direct patient testimonials are all useful data points. In Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, word of mouth still matters enormously — ask friends, colleagues, and neighbors who they trust.

7. Technology That Serves the Outcome

Technology isn't a substitute for skill, but the right tools elevate what a skilled dentist can achieve. Look for: digital scanning (no goopy impressions), 3D cone-beam imaging (for implant planning and airway evaluation), digital smile design software, and intraoral cameras that let you see what the dentist sees. These tools improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and communication — and they signal a practice that invests in quality.

Questions to Ask at Your Consultation

Walk into any cosmetic consultation armed with these:

  • "May I see before-and-after cases similar to mine that you've done personally?"
  • "What continuing education in cosmetic dentistry have you completed in the last two years?"
  • "Who designs and fabricates my restorations — an outside lab, or you, in your office?"
  • "What happens if I'm not happy with the result — what's your revision policy?"
  • "Can I speak with a patient who had a similar case?"

A confident, ethical dentist welcomes these questions. A dentist who deflects or gets defensive is telling you something important.

Common Problems a Cosmetic Dentist Can Fix

Knowing which concerns cosmetic dentistry can address makes it easier to ask good questions at your consultation:

  • Crooked, crowded, or overlapping teeth. These are often treated with orthodontics such as clear aligners. For mild cases, veneers or bonding can create the look of straighter teeth.
  • Discoloration. Surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco often respond to professional whitening. Deeper stains that whitening can't lift may call for porcelain veneers.
  • Chipped, worn, or uneven teeth. Bonding, veneers, or crowns can restore shape and length.
  • Gaps. Small spaces can be closed with veneers or bonding, and larger ones with orthodontics.
  • Decayed or missing teeth. A beautiful result starts with a healthy foundation, so decay is treated first. Teeth that can't be saved can be replaced with dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
  • A gummy smile or lines around the mouth. Botox and fillers can soften lines and, in some cases, lower a high lip line.

Many smiles involve more than one of these concerns, which is why a thorough exam and a written plan should always come before treatment.

Why Choosing the Right Dentist Matters So Much

Cosmetic dentistry is elective, permanent, and highly visible. You'll see the result every time you look in the mirror. A poorly done set of porcelain veneers can cause years of regret, expense to fix, and in some cases, irreversible damage to natural teeth. A beautifully done case can change how you feel about yourself for decades. The difference is the dentist.

In Fort Lauderdale, you have choices — and we'd be honored if you considered Stanton Smiles among them. Dr. Robert Stanton invites you to come in, ask hard questions, review his work, and decide for yourself. Schedule your cosmetic consultation today and see what's possible for your smile.

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