Most cosmetic dentists are general practitioners. Dr. Cary Goldstein is a prosthodontist and former President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. When Atlanta, Buckhead, and Sandy Springs patients want cosmetic dentistry done at the highest level of clinical care, this is where they go.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Atlanta, Buckhead & Sandy Springs
Why Credential Depth Matters in Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty. Any licensed general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist without additional training, without peer review, and without any governing body holding them to a clinical standard. That is a fact about how the field is structured, not a criticism of general practitioners.
What separates esthetic dentistry from cosmetic marketing is accountability. The American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry does not sell memberships. Fellowship requires peer nomination, documented clinical excellence, teaching or published contributions, and demonstrated mastery over time. Of all the dentists practicing in the United States, only 106 hold active fellowship. Dr. Goldstein served as the organization’s President in 2020.
That credential matters because it is the closest thing esthetic dentistry has to a board certification. It represents external validation by the peers who know the work best. When you are deciding who should alter the teeth you will look at every day for the next 10 to 30 years, the distinction between a self-described cosmetic dentist and a peer-elected AAED fellow is not a small one.
Dr. Goldstein is also a prosthodontist, one of twelve dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association, requiring three additional years of postgraduate residency focused entirely on the restoration and replacement of teeth. That training is what makes complex cosmetic cases clinically different here. Not just better-looking. Structurally sound.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services at Goldstein Dental Center
Dr. Goldstein’s cosmetic practice covers the full range of esthetic treatment, from single-visit corrections to complete smile redesigns. Each service below links to a dedicated page with full procedure detail, patient criteria, and the clinical approach used at this practice.
- Porcelain veneers (including no-prep and minimal-prep options)
- Dental bonding
- Teeth whitening
- Smile makeovers
- Full-mouth restoration
- Dental implants
- Gum contouring
For patients exploring a larger change, most comprehensive smile cases begin with a consultation that covers the full picture: what you want, what the clinical assessment shows, and what path gets you there most reliably. That conversation is where the case actually starts.
The Goldstein Approach: Diagnosis Before Design
Most cosmetic practices start with the smile. Dr. Goldstein starts with the bite.
Before any cosmetic work begins, every case at Goldstein Dental Center undergoes a full clinical assessment: bite analysis, enamel evaluation, gum health, jaw function, and the relationship between the teeth in contact. That assessment is what a prosthodontist brings that a cosmetic generalist typically does not. The result you want has to be built on a foundation that will hold it.
This means consultations here can take longer than a quick look and a proposal. It also means the work that follows is designed around how your mouth actually functions, not just how it looks on the day it is placed.
The clinical principle behind it: appearance and function are not separate goals. A result that looks good but loads unevenly or puts stress on the wrong teeth is a result that will not last. Every cosmetic case at this practice is held to both standards.
Who Comes to Goldstein Dental for Cosmetic Care
There is no single profile for a cosmetic dental patient. Patients who come to Dr. Goldstein tend to fall into a few recognizable groups, and most have been thinking about this decision for longer than they admit at the first consultation.
Some have a specific concern they have been managing for years: a chipped tooth, a gap, a color they cannot change with whitening. The issue is not dramatic, but it is present in every photograph and every meeting. At some point they decide to fix it.
Some arrive after an injury or acute event. A broken tooth. Damage from a crown that failed. The cosmetic goal and the restorative need arrive at the same time.
Some want a larger change. A full smile redesign they have considered for years and are finally ready to pursue. These are the cases that benefit most from prosthodontic oversight: multiple teeth, complex sequencing, high stakes for the final result.
If you recognize yourself in any of these, a consultation will tell you what is clinically possible, what the realistic path looks like, and whether this practice is the right fit.
Dr. Cary Goldstein: 40 Years of Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry
Dr. Goldstein received his DMD from the Medical College of Georgia in 1984 and his Certificate of Prosthodontics from the University of Southern California in 1986. He has been practicing cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Atlanta ever since, not as a service alongside general care, but as the entire focus of his practice.
In 2020, he served as President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the peer-elected organization that sets the standard for esthetic practice globally. He has held a faculty appointment at the Dental College of Georgia since 1992, teaching cosmetic and restorative dentistry to the next generation of practitioners. Atlanta Magazine has named him a Top Dentist every year since 2017, recognition that is peer-nominated and independently verified, not a purchased listing.
His clinical work has been covered by CNN Vital Signs, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (including a front-page feature in 2025), Atlanta Magazine, Simply Buckhead, and The Atlantan. He has designed dental instruments now in the Hu-Friedy catalog and co-developed the Brasseler Laminate Veneer Preparation System, the bur kit that became the clinical standard for veneer preparation, now in use at practices worldwide. He has delivered more than 100 lectures on esthetic dentistry to dental audiences across more than a dozen countries.
The Goldstein name in Atlanta dentistry spans three generations and nearly 100 years. Dr. Ronald Goldstein, Cary’s father, is the author of the defining clinical textbooks in cosmetic dentistry, including Change Your Smile, the field’s most-referenced clinical guide. The standard this practice holds itself to has been in development for most of a century.
Since 2022, Dr. Goldstein has also served as a dental expert witness in litigation. Courts appoint expert witnesses to establish the standard of care. His clinical judgment is what the legal system calls on when a standard needs to be defined.
FAQ: Cosmetic Dentistry Questions Answered
What is the difference between a cosmetic dentist and a prosthodontist?
“Cosmetic dentist” is a marketing term. Any general dentist can use it without additional training or oversight. A prosthodontist is a dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association, requiring three additional years of postgraduate training specifically in the restoration and replacement of teeth. Dr. Goldstein is a prosthodontist and a former International President of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the peer-elected organization that sets the standard for esthetic dental practice. The difference is not a credential technicality. It is the difference between self-designation and peer validation.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
Most adults with healthy gums and adequate bone structure are candidates for some form of cosmetic treatment. The more useful question is which procedure is appropriate for your specific situation. A consultation at Goldstein Dental Center covers your goals, a clinical evaluation of your teeth and bite, and a direct recommendation for what is possible and what path makes sense. You leave with a clear picture of your options.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With proper care, porcelain veneers typically last 15 to 30 years. In Dr. Goldstein’s practice, his longest-running case has been in place for 33 years and is still performing as placed. Longevity depends on the quality of the preparation, how the bite was managed at placement, and consistent follow-up care. No-prep and minimal-prep veneers, which preserve more of the natural enamel bond surface, tend to perform well over the long term.
What does a cosmetic dentistry consultation include?
At Goldstein Dental Center, a consultation begins with a full clinical assessment: photographs, bite analysis, enamel and gum evaluation, and a review of your goals. For patients considering veneers or a smile makeover, this includes a discussion of which procedures are appropriate, what the sequencing looks like, and what to expect at each stage. You leave with a clear picture of your options, not a sales pitch.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by dental insurance?
Purely cosmetic procedures, such as veneers placed for appearance only or professional whitening, are generally not covered by dental insurance. Restorative procedures with a cosmetic component, such as crowns or bonding used to repair a damaged tooth, may be partially covered depending on your plan. The front desk at Goldstein Dental Center can review your coverage before your consultation so there are no surprises.
How much does cosmetic dentistry cost in Atlanta?
Costs vary considerably depending on the procedure, the number of teeth involved, and the materials used. A single dental bonding case is a fraction of the cost of a full smile makeover with porcelain veneers. Fees at Goldstein Dental Center reflect the specialist-level training and materials involved. Financing options are available for qualified patients.
What is the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry?
The AAED is an invitation-only professional organization for dentists who specialize in esthetic dentistry. Fellowship requires peer nomination and documented evidence of clinical excellence, teaching, publications, and service to the field. It is not a paid directory. Of all dentists in the United States, only 106 hold active fellowship. Dr. Goldstein served as the organization’s President in 2020. You can verify AAED membership at aaed.org.
How long does a smile makeover take from consultation to final result?
Timeline depends on the scope of the case. A veneer case involving four to six teeth typically spans three to five appointments over four to six weeks. A full smile makeover involving more teeth, bite correction, or preparatory treatment such as Invisalign or implants can take several months to over a year. At the consultation, Dr. Goldstein will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific case.
Ready to Talk About Your Smile?
Dr. Goldstein sees cosmetic cases by consultation. The first appointment covers your goals, the clinical picture, and an honest assessment of what makes sense for your situation. No pressure. No upsell. Just a clear answer.
Serving patients in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Atlanta, and the surrounding metro area.