What general dentists do
Cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, basic crowns, simple bridges, root canals (sometimes), extractions. The foundation of dental care. Every dentist does this competently.
What cosmetic dentists add
Smile design (planning how teeth should look together as a unit). Color and shade engineering. Bite engineering — the most important part — designing how teeth meet over decades. Lab partnership with master ceramists. Aesthetic case planning that considers facial features, lip line, and gum architecture.
Post-graduate training at LVI, the Las Vegas Institute, are signals of investment in this discipline.
Why it matters
A cosmetic case planned by a general dentist often looks fine for 5 years and then starts to show its age — chipping at the edges, fading at the margins, failing because the bite was never engineered. Cosmetic work planned by an LVI-trained dentist routinely lasts 15–20 years.
How to tell which one you need
For routine preventive care: any quality general dentist. For cosmetic work involving more than a single small filling or whitening: look for post-graduate cosmetic training credentials.
Frequently asked
Is a cosmetic dentist different from a regular dentist?
Yes. A cosmetic dentist has completed post-graduate training (typically at LVI or LVI) on top of dental school. They are specifically trained in smile design, bite engineering, and aesthetic case planning that general dental school doesn't cover in depth.
Do I need a cosmetic dentist for a simple chip?
Usually no. A single chipped tooth can often be handled by a general dentist with composite bonding. Multi-tooth cosmetic work or anything involving veneers benefits from a dentist with cosmetic-specific training.
Are cosmetic dentists more expensive?
Cosmetic cases generally cost more because they involve more planning time, master-ceramist lab work, and bite engineering. The trade-off is longevity — cosmetic work designed for longevity often costs less over a 20-year span.
Can my general dentist refer me to a cosmetic dentist?
Yes, and good general dentists routinely do. If you want cosmetic work, asking your general dentist for a referral is a reasonable starting point.
Is Dr. Prajesh Desai a cosmetic dentist?
Yes. Dr. Desai completed post-graduate cosmetic-dentistry training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), the leading post-graduate cosmetic and neuromuscular institution in the United States.
Have a question we didn’t answer? Call us at (925) 999-9088 or request a complimentary consultation. Changing lives by changing smiles.