The short answer: To choose a cosmetic dentist in Durham, look beyond the smile photos on a website. Ask about the dentist's training and own cases, whether your teeth, gums, and bite are checked first, whether you can preview the result, how much natural tooth will be removed, and what the full plan costs in writing.
Search for a cosmetic dentist in Durham and you'll find plenty of websites with beautiful smiles and big promises. From the outside, they can all look the same.
But the dentist you choose affects more than how your teeth look. It affects how much natural tooth you keep, how long your results last, and how your bite feels for years to come.
This guide gives you the questions that separate one cosmetic dentist from another, so you can walk into any consultation knowing what to look for. At Smile Design Modern Dentistry, general dentist Dr. Erfan Imeni welcomes these questions, and we think every patient should ask them.
Is a Cosmetic Dentist a Specialist?
No. A cosmetic dentist is a dentist who focuses on improving how your teeth look, with treatments such as whitening, bonding, veneers, and clear aligners. Cosmetic dentistry isn't one of the 12 dental specialties recognized through the American Dental Association's National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards.
That means any licensed dentist can offer veneers, bonding, or whitening and describe themselves as a "cosmetic dentist." That isn't a bad thing on its own. Many dentists who do a lot of cosmetic work are general dentists with years of extra training.
But the title alone doesn't tell you much. To find the right person, look at training, experience, and how they plan your care.
Two quick checks help. North Carolina's dental advertising rules require a dentist to state whether they are a general dentist or a specialist. You can also look up any North Carolina dentist's license, including any disciplinary actions, through the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners.
What Questions Should You Ask a Cosmetic Dentist in Durham?
Ask questions that show how a dentist plans, protects, and prices your treatment, not just how the final photos look. These 10 cover what matters most, and you can bring the list to any consultation.
Can I See Before-and-After Photos of Your Own Cases?
Ask to see real cases the dentist completed personally, ideally ones similar to yours. Look for results that look natural, not overly white or bulky.
If the photos look like stock images, or every smile looks identical, keep asking questions.
What Training Have You Done Beyond Dental School?
Dental school teaches the basics. Great cosmetic work usually comes from years of continuing education and hands-on experience. Ask what courses the dentist has taken, how many smile makeovers they've completed, and how they keep their skills current.
Dr. Erfan Imeni earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UNC School of Dentistry. He has completed hundreds of hours of prosthodontic continuing education with Dr. Frank Spear, a well-known educator in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, and has completed hundreds of smile makeovers. Meet Dr. Imeni.
Will You Check My Teeth and Gums Before Talking About Cosmetic Work?
A beautiful smile needs a healthy foundation. Veneers or crowns placed over active decay or gum disease can fail early.
A careful cosmetic dentist checks your overall dental health first and treats any problems before cosmetic work begins. At Smile Design, that starts with a dental exam and cleaning, and any decay or gum disease is treated before cosmetic treatment.
How Will You Plan for My Bite, Not Just My Smile?
Your teeth don't just need to look good. They need to work together when you chew, speak, and rest.
If a new smile ignores your bite, restorations can chip, wear unevenly, or feel uncomfortable. Ask how the dentist plans for function as well as appearance, and what they recommend if you grind or clench your teeth.
Dr. Imeni evaluates your teeth, gums, and bite before recommending veneers, and he checks your bite again when the veneers are placed.
Can I Preview My Result Before We Start?
Many cosmetic dentists can show you a preview or mock-up of your new smile before treatment, so you can see the shape and length of your teeth and give feedback.
At Smile Design, a smile preview or mock-up may be part of your porcelain veneers consultation when appropriate.
How Much of My Natural Tooth Will You Remove?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask. Traditional porcelain veneers usually require removing a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth. The American Dental Association's MouthHealthy guide to veneers notes that removing enamel makes the treatment irreversible.
Some cases may qualify for minimal-prep or no-prep veneers. A conservative dentist will explain exactly what's needed and why, and keep as much healthy tooth as possible.
Are There Other Options Besides Veneers?
Often, yes. Not every smile needs veneers. Depending on your goals, teeth whitening, dental bonding, Invisalign, or a combination may give you the result you want with less cost or less tooth preparation.
A good cosmetic dentist will walk you through more than one option. Here's how common choices compare:
| Option | Your natural teeth | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth whitening | Nothing removed; lightens your natural shade | One in-office visit, or custom take-home trays |
| Dental bonding | Little or no enamel removed | Usually one visit |
| Porcelain veneers | A thin layer of enamel is usually removed (less with minimal-prep) | About 4 to 6 weeks (made in a dental lab) |
| Invisalign | Teeth are moved, not covered | Several months |
Typical timelines at Smile Design. Your exam decides which options fit your teeth.
Our guide to composite vs. porcelain veneers compares two common veneer choices.
Who Makes My Veneers or Crowns?
The skill of the dental lab matters, too. Ask whether restorations are made by an outside dental laboratory, in the office, or both, and how the dentist works with the lab to match shade, shape, and translucency.
At Smile Design, porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory. CEREC same-day crowns are designed and milled in our office, with the ceramic shade-matched to the teeth on either side.
What Will It Cost, and Can I Have That in Writing?
You should know the full cost before any treatment starts. Ask for a written estimate that covers every step of the plan.
Cosmetic treatment usually isn't covered by dental insurance, but restorative parts of a plan, such as a crown on a damaged tooth, often are. At Smile Design, you get a written estimate for the whole plan before treatment begins, and patient financing is available through options such as Cherry and CareCredit.
What Happens If Something Chips, or I'm Not Happy?
Even well-made restorations need care, and some may need repairs over time. The ADA notes that veneers can chip, crack, or loosen and may need repair or replacement.
Ask how the dentist handles adjustments, repairs, and follow-up visits, and what you can do to make your results last, such as wearing a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
What Are the Red Flags When Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist?
The clearest red flags are a treatment plan made before an exam, no photos of the dentist's own work, and pressure to decide on the spot. Be cautious if a dentist:
- Recommends a full set of veneers before examining your teeth and gums
- Can't show you their own before-and-after cases
- Won't explain how much tooth will be removed
- Offers only one option for every patient
- Gives a vague price or pushes you to decide on the spot
- Promises "perfect" or guaranteed results
How Long Does Cosmetic Treatment Take?
It depends on the treatments in your plan, from a single visit to several months. At Smile Design:
- Whitening and bonding plans can often be finished in two or three visits.
- Plans with veneers usually take four to six weeks, since veneers are crafted in a dental laboratory.
- Plans that start with Invisalign can take several months before any final cosmetic work.
A clear plan should tell you the order of treatment and roughly how long each step takes.
What Does a Smile Makeover Look Like at Smile Design?
A smile makeover at Smile Design is planned as one treatment, not a series of unrelated appointments. Every smile makeover with Dr. Imeni follows the same careful path:
- Consultation and smile assessment. We check the health of your teeth and gums, then look at how your smile sits with your lips and face. You tell us, in your own words, what you'd like to change.
- Photos and digital scans. These let us plan around your own teeth, not a template.
- A healthy foundation first. Any decay or gum disease is treated before cosmetic work begins.
- Your treatment plan. We explain your options, which may combine veneers, whitening, Invisalign, or bonding, with a written estimate for the whole plan.
- Treatment and review. We complete your treatment step by step and review the results with you along the way.
How Should You Prepare to Meet a Cosmetic Dentist in Durham?
Bring your questions, a clear idea of what you'd like to change, and your dental insurance details if you have coverage. Photos of smiles you like can help, too, as long as you're open to what suits your face and teeth.
At Smile Design Modern Dentistry, Dr. Erfan Imeni will check your oral health, listen to what you want to change, and walk you through your cosmetic dentistry options, with a written estimate for the whole plan. We welcome patients from across Durham, Chapel Hill, and the Triangle.
Our office is at 5318 NC-55, Suite 101, Durham, NC 27713, and we're open Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Call (919) 220-5505 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can a Cosmetic Dentist Fix?
A cosmetic dentist can improve stained or discolored teeth, small chips, minor gaps, worn or uneven edges, and teeth with an irregular shape or size. Crooked or crowded teeth may need Invisalign first, and weak or badly damaged teeth may need a crown instead.
Can a General Dentist Do Cosmetic Dentistry?
Yes. Any licensed dentist can provide cosmetic treatment, and most cosmetic dentists are general dentists with extra training. Dr. Imeni is a general dentist, so your cosmetic, preventive, and restorative care is planned in one office with your long-term oral health in mind.
Does Insurance Cover Cosmetic Dentistry?
Usually not for purely cosmetic treatment. However, restorative parts of a plan, like a crown on a damaged tooth, are often covered. Ask for a written estimate that shows what your plan may cover.
What Is the Most Conservative Cosmetic Option?
It depends on your goals. Whitening and bonding usually require little or no removal of natural tooth structure. Your dentist can tell you whether a conservative option can give you the result you want, and our dental bonding guide explains what bonding can fix.
How Do I Know If Veneers Are Right for Me?
Veneers can be a good fit for chipped, stained, worn, or uneven teeth when your teeth and gums are healthy. A consultation will show whether veneers, bonding, whitening, or Invisalign is the better choice for your smile.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
On average, dental veneers last 10 to 15 years with proper care and maintenance, according to Cleveland Clinic. Grinding, biting hard objects, and skipped checkups can shorten that, so ask your dentist how to protect them.
Should I Whiten My Teeth Before Getting Veneers?
If you want brighter natural teeth too, it usually makes sense to whiten first. Whitening doesn't change the color of veneers, crowns, or fillings, so your veneers can then be matched to your new, lighter shade.
Should I Get a Second Opinion Before Cosmetic Treatment?
It's reasonable, especially before treatment that removes enamel, such as traditional veneers. A second consultation lets you compare how each dentist checks your oral health, which options they offer, and what each written estimate includes.