Skill. Cosmetic Dentistry requires a great deal of skill and planning to be effective. While many dentists will take a weekend course and begin offering their patients porcelain veneers, Dr. Maddahi recommends that to get the best results, you look for a dentist who is both well-trained in a variety of cosmetic procedures, and has successfully transformed many smiles

Ask a lot of questions, and be sure to ask any dentist that you are considering for your makeover to show you examples of smile makeovers that he has done in the past, particularly using techniques and results such as the ones that he is recommending for you.

Trust. When you select a dentist for your Smile Makeover, you are entrusting that person with your smile. You and your dentist will need to forge a strong partnership, in which both of you are working for the same goal, in order for your Smile Makeover to be everything that you want it to be. Always select a dentist that you feel comfortable with, someone that you can trust with your hopes, ideas, and ultimately, your smile. Trust your own instincts. We often see patients who are dissatisfied with dental work they received at another office because they ignored their concerns right from the start.

Artistic Eye. Cosmetic Dentistry is also an art form. You should be looking for a practitioner who creates smiles that you consider to be beautiful. You'll want him or her to look at your mouth and see the same things that you see, and envision the same beautiful smile that you would like to see – or perhaps one even more beautiful than you have dared to hope you. Clear artistic vision that matches your own is a key element in any successful Smile Makeover.