A cosmetic dentist in Huntington Beach improves the color, shape and alignment of teeth with whitening, bonding, veneers and crowns. At Safari Dentistry and Implants, cosmetic dentistry in Huntington Beach starts with an intraoral scan and a digital preview of the result, and the board-certified periodontist in the same office checks the gums first so the new smile sits on healthy tissue.
What does a cosmetic dentist do?
A cosmetic dentist uses the same materials and skills as general dentistry but plans the work around appearance: the shade, the proportion of each tooth, the line of the gums and how the smile fits the face. The main treatments are teeth whitening, dental bonding, porcelain veneers, tooth-colored crowns, and gum reshaping.
- Teeth whitening: in-office whitening in about 90 minutes, or custom trays for home use over two weeks.
- Dental bonding: tooth-colored resin sculpted onto a chip, gap or worn edge in a single visit.
- Porcelain veneers: thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of the teeth to change color, shape and minor alignment; two visits. See porcelain veneers.
- Cosmetic crowns: full-coverage ceramic for teeth that are broken or heavily filled. See crowns, bridges and dentures.
- Gum reshaping: esthetic crown lengthening for a gummy smile, done by the periodontist. See crown lengthening.
How much does teeth whitening cost in Huntington Beach?
In-office whitening is a flat fee quoted at the consultation, and custom take-home trays are less; both are elective and not covered by insurance. Whitening works on natural enamel only, so any bonding, veneers or crowns are matched afterward, and the periodontist treats sensitive or receded gums before whitening rather than after.
Are veneers worth it and how long do they last?
Porcelain veneers last 10 to 15 years with normal care and resist staining better than bonding, which makes them worth it for patients who want a lasting change in color or shape on the front six to ten teeth. Bonding is the better choice for a single chip or a small gap, costs less, and is repaired easily, but it stains and wears over 3 to 7 years.
- Whitening
- 1 visit, lasts 1 to 3 years with touch-ups
- Bonding
- 1 visit, lasts 3 to 7 years
- Veneers
- 2 visits, lasts 10 to 15 years
- Ceramic crown
- 2 visits, lasts 10 to 15 years
- Smile makeover
- 3 to 6 visits over 4 to 8 weeks
What is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover combines two or more cosmetic treatments into one plan, for example whitening the back teeth, veneers on the front six, and gum reshaping on two teeth that show too much gum. It is designed on the intraoral scan so you approve a digital and then a physical mock-up before any tooth is prepared.
- Consultation and scan. Photographs, an intraoral scan and a periodontal check.
- Digital design. The new smile is designed on screen; you review shape and shade.
- Trial smile. A temporary mock-up is placed over your teeth so you can see it in your own mouth.
- Treatment. Whitening first, then bonding, veneers or crowns, then any gum work timing set by the periodontist.
- Night guard. Provided if you grind, to protect the work.
Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
Whitening, bonding for appearance and veneers are elective and not covered. Crowns on broken or decayed teeth, fillings and gum treatment are covered by most PPO and HMO plans and by Medi-Cal Dental, so a smile plan often has a covered portion and an elective portion, both written on the same estimate with payment plans for the balance.
Cosmetic dentistry for Westminster, Fountain Valley and Seal Beach patients
Design, gum work and the final veneers or crowns are all done at 16511 Goldenwest St, Unit 101, with the scan and photographs on file so touch-ups years later match the original plan.