Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryStep by stepWhich signs call for caution?How to compare proposals calmly?FAQRead nextHow to choose a dentist for composite veneers: what to check before you decide
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Quick summary of this article+
How to choose a dentist for composite veneers: check for an active CRO license and who does the work; ask for their own cases with standardized photos; look for an assessment that covers gums, bite and habits; expect a plan that's explained and a justified number of teeth, not a package; ask for a written plan stating what's included and what isn't; and agree on maintenance from the start. Signs of caution: a fixed price before the exam, a promise of results, pressure to commit, health left for later, photos that aren't the dentist's own and no conversation about limits. Compare proposals by asking everyone the same questions, and decide without rushing. In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) personally performs every step and sees patients every day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
How do you choose a dentist for composite veneers? Check that they have an active license with the CRO (the Regional Council of Dentistry in Brazil), ask to see cases done by that dentist (with standardized photos, not stock images), look at whether the assessment includes gum health, bite and a plan explained with photos, and ask for a written plan stating how many teeth, which material, how many sessions and what maintenance involves. Be wary of a fixed price before the exam and of any promise of results.
In clinical practice, composite veneers are handcrafted work: they're sculpted tooth by tooth, in the mouth, and depend more on the skill and planning of the person doing them than on the material itself. That's why choosing the dentist matters so much — and why the criteria below matter more than the office décor or the number of followers.
Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), a dentist in Mooca, brings together here the seven points worth using to evaluate any dentist, including her, and the questions that help you compare proposals calmly.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the composite veneers page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
Step by step
- 1. Active CRO license and who does the work. The name and registration number of the responsible dentist are public information and should be clear in the plan and in all communication. Ask who will perform each step — in large clinics, the person who assesses you isn't always the one who does the work.
- 2. Their own cases, documented consistently. Ask to see composite veneer cases done by the dentist themselves, with before-and-after photos in the same framing and lighting. Stock photos or "generic" results say nothing about the skill of the person who will do yours.
- 3. An assessment that looks at your whole mouth. Gums, cavities, bite, habits like teeth grinding and your starting shade all change the plan. An assessment that jumps straight to "how many teeth do you want" is leaving out what supports the result.
- 4. A plan that's explained. Photos, impressions or a scan and a preview (a mock-up of the shape in your mouth, when indicated) allow adjustments before sculpting. Ask how the shape and color will be decided and whether you'll see a preview.
- 5. A justified number of teeth, not a package. The number comes from your smile line and the risk of contrast with neighboring teeth. A fixed package of teeth "for everyone" is a sign the case wasn't looked at individually.
- 6. A written plan, including what's not covered. How many teeth, which material and technique, how many adjustment sessions, whether there are prior steps (gums, whitening) and what's excluded. Two plans with the same total can contain very different things.
- 7. Maintenance agreed from the start. Composite needs periodic polishing and, over the years, repairs. Ask how often checkups are, what happens if it chips, what the warranty covers and for how long. The answer shows whether the dentist is thinking about the whole cycle.
Which signs call for caution?
A fixed price before the exam. A per-tooth price announced before anyone has looked at your mouth ignores exactly what defines the work: how many teeth, gum condition, starting shade, bite. It usually gets adjusted later, once reality shows up.
A promise of results. No dentist can guarantee how your smile will look or how long the composite will last — that depends on the case, your habits and maintenance. Someone who promises is selling, not assessing.
Pressure to commit. A discount that's only valid today, a slot that disappears tomorrow, a decision at the same appointment. Veneers are a treatment you plan; the decision can wait until you've read the plan at home.
Health left for later. Inflamed gums, cavities or tartar need to be treated before composite, because material applied on an unhealthy base doesn't hold up. A plan that skips this to get to the result faster usually costs more in redos.
Photos that aren't the dentist's own. Other people's results, stock images or "before and afters" without consistent lighting and framing don't let you assess anything. Ask directly: "Did you do these cases?"
No conversation about limits. Composite solves a lot, but not everything: very dark teeth, an unfavorable bite and expectations of extreme whiteness all have limits. A serious dentist tells you what the technique can't do before starting.
| What to ask | Answer that shows care | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Who will do the work? | The dentist identifies themselves, with CRO number, and does the work personally | The person who assesses isn't the one who does it; no responsible dentist named |
| Can I see your cases? | Their own cases, with standardized photos and more than one example | Stock or third-party photos; inconsistent "results" |
| How do you decide shape and color? | Photos, bite exam, a preview when indicated | Straight to sculpting, with no planning |
| How many teeth, and why? | Justified by the smile line and contrast | A fixed package for everyone |
| What's not included? | A clear list of prior steps and exclusions | "Everything's included" with no details |
| What about maintenance? | Periodic polishing, repairs and warranty explained | Topic avoided, or "it doesn't need anything" |
| When do I need to decide? | When you feel confident, with the plan in hand | Discount only today, slot gone tomorrow |
How to compare proposals calmly?
Compare what's included, not just the total. List side by side: number of teeth and why each one is included, material and technique, number of sessions, prior steps, maintenance and warranty. The most complete plan isn't always the most expensive — and the cheapest isn't always the simplest.
Ask everyone the same questions. Who will do the work? Can I see your cases? How will the shape and color be decided? What happens if it chips? How often is polishing? What's not included? Clear, direct answers are worth more than any sales pitch.
Pay attention to the assessment itself. An exam that looks at gums, bite and habits, takes photos and explains the reasoning already shows you what the treatment will be like. A ten-minute appointment focused on closing the deal shows you something too.
Consider follow-up. Veneers require return visits for adjustments, polishing and occasional repairs. Office hours, ease of contact and proximity matter for the years ahead, not just for delivery day.
How it works here, so you can compare: the assessment starts with photos and an exam of your gums, cavities and bite; the number of teeth is based on your smile line; the shape can be previewed before sculpting; the plan is presented in writing, with what's included and what isn't, and maintenance is agreed from the start. Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) personally performs every step and sees patients every day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Mooca, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Finally, decide without rushing. A good dentist doesn't need you to commit on the spot — and a well-made plan still makes sense after a good night's sleep.
How do I choose a dentist for composite veneers?
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Check for an active CRO license and who does the work, ask for their own cases with standardized photos, see whether the assessment covers gums, bite and habits, expect a plan that's explained and in writing, and agree on maintenance from the start.
Can any dentist do composite veneers?
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Legally, any dentist with an active license can. In practice, composite veneers are handcrafted work that depends on training and planning, so it's worth assessing the dentist's specific experience with this technique.
Do I need a specialist to get veneers?
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There's no requirement for a specialist title to do composite veneers in Brazil. What matters is continuing education, documented cases and how the planning is done. Ask, and ask to see them.
How can I tell if before-and-after photos are reliable?
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A dentist's own photos have the same framing and lighting and show the whole case, not just the flattering angle. Ask directly whether they did the cases and whether you can see more than one similar to yours.
What should happen at the first veneer appointment?
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An exam of your gums, cavities and bite, photos, a conversation about expectations and limits, deciding how many teeth and why, and an explanation of any prior steps. The written plan comes after this assessment.
Is it normal for the dentist to ask to treat my gums first?
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It's a sign of care. Composite applied over inflamed gums, cavities or tartar doesn't hold up. These steps appear separately in the plan because they're prerequisites, not extras.
What is a veneer mock-up or preview?
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It's a try-in of the shape in your mouth, made with a temporary material based on the plan, before sculpting the final composite. It lets size and contour be adjusted while you watch, when indicated.
Does it make sense to be wary of a fixed price before the exam?
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Yes. A per-tooth price announced before anyone has looked at your mouth ignores what defines the work — the condition of your teeth, gums, bite and starting shade — and usually changes later.
Can the dentist guarantee veneer results?
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No. No dentist can guarantee results or durability, because they depend on the case, your habits and maintenance. What they can do is plan carefully and tell you clearly what to expect.
How many teeth should I do?
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The number comes from your smile line and the risk of contrast with neighboring teeth, not from a package. Fixed packages "for everyone" are a sign the case wasn't looked at individually.
What should I ask about maintenance?
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How often polishing is done, what happens if it chips, whether repairs are charged separately, what the warranty covers and for how long. Composite needs care over the years, and this should be agreed from the start.
Should I choose based on the lowest price?
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The total on its own says little: two plans at the same price can include very different things. Compare what's included, the prior steps and maintenance. Redoing work usually costs more than the initial difference.
What is the veneer assessment like with Dr. Cléo in Mooca?
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It starts with photos and an exam of your gums, cavities and bite; the number of teeth is based on your smile line; the shape can be previewed first; the plan is presented in writing with what's included and what isn't; and maintenance is agreed from the start. Appointments at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Can I take the plan home to think about it?
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You should. Veneers are a planned treatment, and the decision can wait for a careful read. A well-made plan still makes sense the next day.
