Most dentists who offer veneers are general practitioners. Dr. Cary Goldstein is a prosthodontist, a specialist whose entire post-doctoral training is focused on the restoration and replacement of teeth. When a procedure will live on your face for the next 10 to 30 years, that distinction matters.
Why a Prosthodontist for Veneers
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist whose entire post-doctoral training is built around the restoration and replacement of teeth. General dentists offer veneers. So do prosthodontists. The difference is that prosthodontic training is built around exactly this level of precision, and a prosthodontist brings something a general practitioner typically does not: coordination.
Think of a prosthodontist as the quarterback of your dental care. When a case requires input from a periodontist, an orthodontist, or an oral surgeon, a prosthodontist does not simply hand you a referral. They know what those specialists need to deliver, can evaluate whether that work was done correctly, and design your veneer case around the full picture. Most patients never think to ask whether their dentist has that coordination layer. It matters.
When evaluating any cosmetic dental provider, ask how their professional memberships work. Some are open to anyone who pays dues. Some require demonstrated clinical excellence and peer selection to enter. The distinction tells you something real about what the credential represents.
Why Dr. Goldstein
Dr. Goldstein served as President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED) in 2020. The AAED is invitation-only: the world’s leading cosmetic dental practitioners and educators, selected by peer review, not by fee. His peers have also voted him Top Dentist in Atlanta every year since 2017. Peer nominations. Not self-reported. Since 2022, he has served as a dental expert witness in litigation. Courts appoint expert witnesses to establish the standard of care. He has delivered more than 100 lectures on esthetic dentistry to dental audiences worldwide and is recognized as a key opinion leader in minimally invasive veneer techniques.
He teaches the DuraThin and Lumineers systems to other dental practitioners. When you come to him for no-prep veneers, you are working with the person who trains others in the technique.
The longevity data reflects this. Dr. Goldstein’s veneer cases last 15 to 33 years with proper care. His longest-running case has been in place for 33 years and is still performing as placed. That number reflects preparation precision, bite management, and the quality of follow-up care, not just the material.
Goldstein Dental Center is a practice rooted in esthetic dentistry, a discipline that holds cosmetic outcomes and long-term oral health to the same standard. Most cosmetic dentistry optimizes for appearance. Esthetic dentistry asks whether the result is also healthy, stable, and right for this patient long-term. The Goldsteins literally wrote the textbook: Imaging in Esthetic Dentistry, co-authored by Dr. Ronald Goldstein and Dr. Cary Goldstein, is the definitive clinical reference in cosmetic and esthetic dentistry, and the standard every case at this practice is measured against. Cary also co-developed the Brasseler Laminate Veneer Preparation System, the bur kit that became the clinical standard for veneer preparation and remains widely used by practitioners today. Three generations of Goldstein dentists have been practicing in Atlanta for more than 80 years.
The Veneers Process at Goldstein Dental
Every case here is preplanned from the start. Digital scanning, a designed result you see and approve before any tooth is touched, local fabrication, and ceramists present at your final appointment. Here is how it works.
Consultation
What do you want your smile to do for you? That is where every case starts. We assess your enamel, bite, and gum health and confirm whether veneers are the right path or whether something else would serve you better long-term. There is no pressure toward a particular treatment. The goal is accuracy.
We begin with an AI-generated image so you can see a realistic preview of the direction at your very first appointment. We also ask you to bring in photographs of smiles you love and ones you don’t. That tells us more than any shade guide can. We evaluate color under three lighting conditions: indoor fluorescent, indoor incandescent, and natural daylight. Each reads differently, and your veneers need to look right in all of them.
We are not designing a Hollywood smile. We are designing a smile for your face, one that looks natural in a meeting room, in daylight, in a photograph. Patients who find us are not looking for big, bright, refrigerator white. They want something that looks like theirs, better. We will show you what that means for your specific teeth and face before any decisions are made.
Every case is scanned digitally using our Ori scanner. No impression material. No trays. No sitting with product setting in your mouth for three minutes. The scan produces an accurate digital model of your full bite that drives the entire design and fabrication process.
Design & Preview
Once your scan and imagery are in, our team and doctors design your new smile with your input on what you are looking for. Then we schedule a second appointment, before any tooth is touched, to show you the designed result. You see it, evaluate it, and tell us what you think. Adjustments are made until you are satisfied. You commit when you are ready. Nothing is irreversible until you say so.
The AI image at your first appointment gives you a direction. The design preview gives you the clinical reality. Two chances to see what you are getting before anything changes.
Preparation & Fabrication
For no-prep veneers, the scan from your first appointment is all we need. For cases requiring minimal preparation, light reshaping is done first. Temporary veneers are placed to protect your teeth and give you a working preview of the final proportions while your permanent restorations are made.
Our veneers are made primarily from lithium disilicate, commonly known as Emax: a strong, esthetic ceramic that balances durability with a natural, light-reflective appearance. We no longer use feldspathic porcelain. It is too fragile and does not hold up over the long term.
For the right cases, we also offer zirconia veneers, and this is where the practice is ahead of the field. Zirconia is simultaneously the thinnest and the strongest veneer material available. Our Atlanta master ceramists, Chris, Ines, Isaac, and Massouda, have developed a refined bonding process for zirconia that delivers exceptional fit and long-lasting adhesion. The color range is also broader: zirconia veneers can achieve a brightness that other materials cannot match. Dr. Goldstein expects zirconia to become the standard for veneers within five years. We are already there.
Fabrication typically takes one to three weeks. For time-sensitive cases, a four-day turnaround is available: cases begin on Monday and permanent veneers are seated Thursday of the same week.
Final Placement
When your veneers are ready, you see them before anything is bonded. We verify fit, shade, and bite. Our master ceramists, Chris, Ines, Isaac, and Massouda, join Dr. Goldstein chairside to hand-finish your case, shaping and colorizing until the result matches the plan exactly.
Once everything meets the mark, we bond. After placement, we fabricate a custom nightguard. Teeth move during sleep. The nightguard is an insurance policy against that movement working against your veneers over time. It is standard at this practice, not an afterthought.
For patients traveling from out of state, we offer expedited scheduling and will customize your appointment timeline accordingly.
Are You a Candidate for Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a strong option for correcting:
- Chips, cracks, or uneven edges
- Permanent staining that whitening or bleaching has not resolved
- Gaps between teeth
- Minor misalignment without the timeline of orthodontics
- Teeth that are small, short, or irregular in shape
Veneers are not the right solution for every patient. Active gum disease, significant decay, or unaddressed bruxism (teeth grinding) need to be resolved first. In some cases a different restoration is the better clinical choice.
Dr. Cary often says the least amount of dentistry is the best amount of dentistry. Before recommending veneers, we discuss every option: bonding, bleaching, reshaping. Some patients achieve the result they’re after without removing any enamel at all. For a full overview of your options, Dr. Ronald Goldstein’s book Change Your Smile covers the complete range of cosmetic and esthetic approaches in detail.
We’ll tell you what’s right for you, not what’s most involved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Porcelain Veneers
How much do porcelain veneers cost?
Porcelain veneers at Goldstein Dental Center range from $1,750 per tooth with our associate doctors to $2,650 per tooth with Dr. Goldstein. The final cost depends on the number of teeth being treated and the complexity of your case. We provide a detailed estimate at your consultation. Financing options are available.
Are porcelain veneers covered by insurance?
Veneers are a cosmetic procedure and are not typically covered by dental insurance. Dr. Goldstein accepts most insurance as an out-of-network provider. Our team will review your coverage before any work begins so you know exactly what to expect. For patients who prefer to spread the cost over time, we offer financing options.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With proper care, porcelain veneers can last 10 to 30 years. Longevity depends on how well the preparation was executed, how well the bite relationship was managed at placement, and how consistently the patient maintains routine visits. These are areas where specialist training has a direct impact on outcome.
Do porcelain veneers damage my natural teeth?
Preparation, when needed, is irreversible. A thin layer of enamel is removed and does not grow back. This is why we take candidacy seriously and default to no-prep whenever possible. For the right patient with healthy underlying enamel and a confirmed aesthetic goal, the long-term risk to the natural tooth is minimal with proper care. We will not recommend veneers if the risk-benefit equation doesn’t support it.
Why is some enamel removed for veneers?
The tooth needs to be slightly thinner to accommodate the veneer without looking bulky. The amount removed is typically less than 0.5 millimeters, about the thickness of a fingernail. Our starting point is always no-prep. When some preparation is clinically necessary, we remove only what’s required. The decision comes down to your natural tooth size and position. For a deeper explanation of the preparation process and what it means for your natural teeth long-term, see our guide: “Your Guide to Porcelain Veneers in Atlanta: What to Expect, What to Ask, and What to Look For“.
Who is not a good candidate for veneers?
Active gum disease or untreated decay must be addressed before veneers are an option. Patients with severe bruxism need a management plan in place first. Very little remaining enamel may mean a different restoration is more appropriate. And sometimes the result someone wants isn’t achievable with veneers alone. In those cases, we’ll say so directly, discuss the alternatives, and tell you what would actually get you there.
Do porcelain veneers stain?
Porcelain is significantly more stain-resistant than natural enamel. Coffee, wine, and similar foods that affect natural teeth have minimal effect on quality porcelain. The bonding material at the veneer margins can pick up some discoloration over time, which is one reason routine maintenance visits matter.
What’s the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
Porcelain veneers are lab-fabricated from ceramic, look more naturally tooth-like, and last considerably longer. Composite veneers are applied directly at the chair in a single appointment, cost less upfront, but stain more easily and typically need replacement sooner. For patients making a long-term investment in their appearance, porcelain is the clinical standard.
How many teeth do I need veneers on?
There’s no fixed number. Some patients treat a single chipped or discolored tooth; others treat six or eight front teeth for a complete smile change. The goal is seamless blending, which requires precise shade-matching against the surrounding natural teeth.
How do I care for my veneers?
Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss daily, paying attention to the margins where the veneer meets the gumline. Keep your routine maintenance appointments: this is where we check veneer integrity, clean areas that are hard to reach at home, and catch any early issues before they become larger ones. Avoid biting hard objects with your front teeth. If you grind, wear your night guard. The veneers that last 20 to 30 years are on patients who do these five things consistently.
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Ready to See What’s Possible?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Goldstein to discuss your goals, evaluate candidacy, and understand what a prosthodontist’s approach looks like in practice.
Serving patients in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and the greater Atlanta area.
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