Most people searching for a cosmetic dentist in Staten Island are typing something like “best cosmetic dentist near me” and hoping the results are trustworthy. The problem is that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty by the American Dental Association; any licensed dentist can legally advertise cosmetic services, regardless of how much training they’ve had or how many smile makeovers they’ve actually done.
That means the burden is on you to know what separates a dentist with real cosmetic expertise from one who dabbles in whitening and calls it cosmetic dentistry. This guide walks through every factor that matters, and shows you exactly how Nasso, Olsen & Napolitano measures up at each step.
Cosmetic Dentistry Is a Skillset, Not a Title
Because cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty, no licensing board certifies a dentist as a “cosmetic dentist.” What does exist are advanced training programs, professional organizations, and clinical track records that distinguish practitioners who have genuinely committed to aesthetic dentistry from those who haven’t.
The most respected credential in cosmetic dentistry is membership or accreditation through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). The AACD sets rigorous standards for cosmetic dental education and accreditation that go well beyond a dental license. Members commit to ongoing education in smile design, materials science, and aesthetic techniques that most general dentists never pursue.
Dr. Ron Napolitano is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He has also completed extensive post-graduate cosmetic and implant training and holds membership in the Academy of General Dentistry, the ADA, the NYSDA, and the Second District Dental Society. When you sit down with Dr. Napolitano for a cosmetic consultation, you’re talking to a dentist who has dedicated a significant portion of his career to mastering aesthetic outcomes, not just tooth function.
What the Right Credentials Actually Look Like
Beyond AACD membership, here’s what to look for when evaluating a cosmetic dentist’s qualifications.
- Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD): Earning a Fellowship in the AGD requires completing at least 500 hours of continuing education and passing a comprehensive board examination. Fewer than 7% of dentists in the United States hold this distinction. Dr. Eleanor Olsen, DDS, FAGD — a Columbia University graduate who has served as Dental Director of Coney Island Hospital since 1985, earned her FAGD in 2007. This level of ongoing clinical education matters for cosmetic work because materials, techniques, and best practices in aesthetic dentistry evolve constantly.
- Post-Graduate Training in Specific Cosmetic Procedures: Ask any cosmetic dentist you’re considering what courses they’ve completed in veneers, smile design, or aesthetic restorations. Dentists with a serious cosmetic focus pursue training through institutions like the NYU College of Dentistry, the Pankey Institute, the Spear Education Center, or manufacturer-certified programs for specific materials. Dr. Napolitano holds a DDS from NYU and has attended numerous post-graduate cosmetic and implant courses throughout his career.
- A Dentist Who Knows Your Community: Dr. Napolitano is a lifelong Staten Island resident, Monsignor Farrell, Fordham, NYU, who chose to build his practice here. Dr. Lucille Cangialosi was born and raised on Staten Island’s South Shore. When your dentist is genuinely part of the community, the relationship is different.
The Services a Top Cosmetic Practice Should Offer
A skilled cosmetic dentist should be able to address the full spectrum of aesthetic concerns in one place, rather than referring you out for different procedures. At Nasso, Olsen & Napolitano, our cosmetic dentistry services include:
- Porcelain veneers: Thin, custom-crafted shells bonded to the front surface of teeth to correct chips, discoloration, uneven size, or shape. Veneers are one of the most dramatic and durable cosmetic transformations available, typically lasting 10 to 20 years with proper care.
- Professional teeth whitening: In-office whitening achieves results in a single appointment that over-the-counter products can’t match. We also offer take-home trays custom-fitted to your teeth for ongoing maintenance.
- Invisalign: Clear aligners that straighten teeth without metal brackets or wires. For patients whose primary cosmetic concern is alignment, Invisalign is often the starting point before any restorative work.
- Laser gum contouring: Reshaping an uneven or excessive gumline to create more balanced, proportional-looking teeth. This is a commonly overlooked cosmetic procedure that can dramatically change how a smile looks, even before touching the teeth themselves.
- Smile makeovers: a combination treatment plan that coordinates multiple procedures (typically whitening, veneers, and contouring) for a comprehensive result.
Real Results: Why a Smile Gallery Is Non-Negotiable
A cosmetic dentist who can’t show you before-and-after photos of actual patients is a dentist you shouldn’t trust with a smile makeover. Cosmetic results are visual; no amount of credential-dropping or patient testimonials replaces seeing real clinical outcomes with your own eyes.
What to look for in a smile gallery:
- Cases that look like what you want — similar starting point, similar goal
- Multiple types of cases (not just whitening — also veneers, alignment corrections, gum work)
- Consistent quality across cases, not one or two showpiece results
- Natural-looking outcomes, not teeth that are obviously fake
Our smile gallery shows actual patient transformations performed at our Staten Island office. We encourage every prospective cosmetic patient to spend time there before booking a consultation. It’s the most honest representation of what our team produces.
How to Read Reviews the Right Way
Patient reviews are valuable, but only if you know how to read them. A five-star average means less than what people are specifically saying. When evaluating reviews for a cosmetic dentist, look for these patterns:
- Reviews that mention specific procedures (“my veneers look incredible,” “whitening results lasted two years”) rather than generic praise
- Comments about the consultation experience — did the dentist listen? Did they explain options clearly?
- Reviews from patients who had concerns and describe how the team addressed them
- How the practice responds to any negative reviews — professionally and constructively, or defensively
Our patients on Staten Island’s South Shore, from Tottenville to Great Kills, have left reviews that speak to specific results and the experience of working with our team over the years. You can read what they have to say on our testimonials page. We’re also listed on Google, where our reviews reflect the same consistency you’ll see in person.
Your Consultation Is the Real Interview
The consultation is the most important step in choosing a cosmetic dentist. It tells you more than any website, credential list, or gallery can. Here’s how to use it.
- Come with photos of results you like. A skilled cosmetic dentist will either confirm that your goal is achievable with your anatomy or honestly explain what’s realistic. A dentist who agrees with everything you say without examining your teeth first isn’t being helpful — they’re selling.
- Ask how they’ll achieve the result. “I want a brighter smile” should prompt a specific answer: are we looking at whitening, veneers, or a combination? What’s the sequence? How long does treatment take? What maintenance is required? Vague answers are a red flag.
- Pay attention to how they talk about your existing teeth. The best cosmetic dentists build on healthy foundations. If a dentist is recommending extensive restorative work at your first consultation without a complete exam, slow down. Cosmetic dentistry done over unhealthy teeth doesn’t last.
- Trust your gut about communication. You’ll be working with this person over multiple appointments. If the consultation feels rushed, dismissive, or like a sales pitch, that’s useful information.
At our Staten Island office, cosmetic consultations begin with a complete examination. We don’t map out a smile makeover plan until we understand your oral health baseline, what’s driving your cosmetic concern, and what your realistic timeline and budget look like. That’s the approach that produces results patients are happy with years later.
Why Staten Island Patients Choose Nasso, Olsen & Napolitano for Cosmetic Dentistry
We’ve covered what to look for in a cosmetic dentist. Here’s how our practice addresses each factor:
- Credentials: Dr. Napolitano holds AACD membership. Dr. Olsen holds FAGD status. Between our six-doctor team, we cover cosmetic, restorative, implant, and general dentistry under one roof.
- Services: We offer the full cosmetic spectrum — veneers, Invisalign, whitening, laser gum contouring, and full smile makeovers — without referring out.
- Portfolio: Our smile gallery shows real patient results from our office, available for review before you book.
- Community: Dr. Napolitano grew up on Staten Island. Dr. Cangialosi was born and raised on the South Shore. This isn’t a practice that rotates providers or treats patients like numbers.
- Access: We’re open six days a week, serving patients from across Staten Island, including Tottenville, Great Kills, Annadale, Arden Heights, and Huguenot.
If you’re ready to talk about what cosmetic dentistry can do for your smile, we’d love to hear from you. Call (718) 948-5111 or schedule your consultation online. Our team will take the time to understand your goals and give you an honest picture of what’s possible.