Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist Explains When Porcelain Veneers May Not Be the Right Choice
Beverly Hills, CA – August 17, 2026 – Patients interested in porcelain veneers often arrive at cosmetic dental consultations already convinced they know which treatment they need. Social media transformations and before-and-after photos can make veneers appear to be the obvious solution for discoloration, uneven teeth, gaps, or an aging smile. Dr. Joseph Goodman says the more important question comes first: whether veneers are actually the right treatment for that individual patient.
In some cases, the concern that brings a patient to a veneer consultation may be addressed with whitening, bonding, orthodontic movement, or another approach that requires less alteration of existing teeth. Other patients may be appropriate candidates for veneers, but only after their bite, gum health, tooth position, and existing dental work have been evaluated.
The American Dental Association has emphasized the importance of diagnosis and dentist-managed treatment planning when considering veneers. In a 2024 statement addressing reports of unlicensed “veneer technicians,” the ADA noted that eliminating the dentist from the process also eliminates professional diagnosis of oral health needs and development of an appropriate treatment plan. The organization encourages patients to seek care from licensed dentists for proper diagnosis, treatment, and patient safety.
“Patients sometimes come in asking how many veneers they need before we have even determined whether veneers are the right treatment,” said Dr. Joseph Goodman, DDS, DMD. “My job is not to sell someone veneers. My job is to understand what they are trying to change, examine what is actually happening clinically, and then recommend the treatment that makes sense. Sometimes that is veneers, and sometimes it isn’t.”
That distinction is particularly important because cosmetic concerns can have different underlying causes. Tooth color, position, shape, existing restorations, bite relationships, and gum architecture can each influence both the treatment recommendation and the final appearance. A treatment that addresses one cosmetic concern may not address another.
Dr. Goodman earned his Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree Magna Cum Laude from the University of Aachen in Germany before completing advanced prosthodontic training at the University of Southern California and additional studies at UCLA. After practicing dentistry in Düsseldorf, Germany, he established his Beverly Hills practice in 2003 and has focused extensively on cosmetic and restorative dentistry. His experience includes evaluating patients seeking new cosmetic treatment as well as those dissatisfied with previous dental work.
Before recommending veneers, cosmetic treatment planning may consider:
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Whether tooth color could be addressed with professional whitening rather than restorations
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Whether minor shape or spacing concerns may be appropriate for dental bonding or orthodontic treatment
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Whether the patient’s bite and existing tooth position support the proposed cosmetic treatment
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Whether veneers would provide a meaningful benefit without unnecessarily altering healthy tooth structure
The approach builds on Dr. Goodman’s previous discussion of natural looking veneer design, where individualized smile planning was emphasized over standardized cosmetic results.
Recommendations and treatment plans vary based on each patient’s exam findings, goals, bite relationship, facial features, existing dental condition, and individual risk factors.
Patients considering treatment can learn more about porcelain veneers in Beverly Hills and the factors evaluated before treatment is recommended.
About Dr. Joseph Goodman DDS, DMD
Dr. Joseph Goodman DDS, DMD is a cosmetic dental practice located at 241 1/2 S Beverly Dr Suite 201, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. The practice provides cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental care with an emphasis on individualized treatment planning, natural aesthetics, and preservation of healthy tooth structure. Dr. Goodman holds California dental license number 47521 and has been recognized by the Consumer Research Group USA as a Best Dentist and Top Dentist in consecutive years.
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