The idea of visiting a cosmetic dentist for the first time brings up a lot of questions. What will the office look like? Will there be pressure to commit to something expensive? How long will it take? What if the dentist suggests something you were not expecting?

At Dr. Kevin Sands’ Beverly Hills practice, the first appointment is designed around one thing: giving you the information you need to make your own decision on your own timeline. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just a thorough exam, an honest conversation, and a clear plan.

Here is what the process looks like, step by step.

Before You Arrive

When you call the office at (310) 273-0111 or submit a consultation request through the contact page, a member of the team will confirm your appointment, ask a few preliminary questions about what you are hoping to address, and explain what to bring.

Plan to bring a valid photo ID, your dental insurance card if applicable, and any recent dental X-rays or records from a previous dentist. If you take medications, a current list is helpful. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early gives you time to complete any new-patient paperwork before your appointment begins.

For patients traveling from outside Los Angeles, the office can coordinate scheduling to make the most efficient use of your trip. Virtual consultations are also available as a first step for out-of-town patients who want to discuss their goals before flying in.

Step 1: The Dental Examination

The consultation starts with a clinical exam. Dr. Sands examines your teeth, gums, bite alignment, and jaw joint function. He looks at the condition of existing dental work (fillings, crowns, past restorations) and checks for signs of decay, gum disease, or structural issues that could affect cosmetic treatment outcomes.

Digital X-rays may be taken if recent ones are not available. Intraoral photographs are captured to document your current smile from multiple angles. These images serve as a baseline and help Dr. Sands explain his findings visually during the discussion that follows.

The exam portion typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It is painless and non-invasive.

Step 2: The Conversation

After the clinical exam, Dr. Sands sits down with you and asks what you want to change about your smile. This is the most important part of the visit because it shapes everything that comes next.

Some patients come in with a very specific request: “I want veneers on my top eight teeth.” Others have a general feeling: “I just do not like the way my smile looks in photos.” Both starting points are perfectly fine. Dr. Sands listens carefully, asks follow-up questions, and begins connecting your goals with what the exam revealed about your dental health.

If you have reference photos of smiles you like (from celebrities, magazines, or social media), bring them. They help Dr. Sands understand your aesthetic preferences and set realistic expectations. He will be upfront about what is achievable and what might require a different approach than what you originally had in mind.

Step 3: Treatment Options and Recommendations

Based on the exam findings and your goals, Dr. Sands outlines the treatment options that make the most sense for your specific situation. This might be a single procedure, like porcelain veneers, or a combination of treatments as part of a broader smile makeover plan.

For each recommended treatment, he explains what the procedure involves, how many visits it requires, the expected recovery time, and the estimated cost. He also explains what he would not recommend and why, which is just as valuable as knowing what he would.

If sedation dentistry is something you are interested in (or if Dr. Sands thinks it would benefit you based on the planned treatment), the available options are explained at this stage as well.

Step 4: Questions, Timeline, and Next Steps

The rest of the consultation is reserved for your questions. Common questions at this stage include how long the results will last, what maintenance is required, how much discomfort to expect, and how the final result will look compared to the starting point.

If you are ready to move forward, the team can schedule your first treatment appointment before you leave. If you want time to think about it, that is completely fine. There is no expiration date on the treatment plan and no pressure to commit on the spot. Many patients take a few weeks to consider their options, especially for larger cases.

The entire consultation usually lasts between 30 minutes and one hour.

What Makes This Consultation Different

Dr. Sands has been doing this for over 15 years. He has seen thousands of patients walk through the door with varying levels of anxiety, excitement, skepticism, and hope. The consultation is structured to be thorough but comfortable. No one on the team will rush you through the process or make you feel like you are on a conveyor belt.

The Beverly Hills office is designed with patient comfort in mind, from the waiting area to the treatment rooms. If dental anxiety is something you deal with, the team is prepared for that and will accommodate accordingly.

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