San Diego Cosmetic Dentists: Beyond Teeth Whitening

The smile is one of the most important attributes a person can have. Not only does a proper smile keep you looking young, but having good teeth is beneficial for the overall structure of your mouth and jaw. It’s something many take for granted, yet it’s one of the first things we notice on a person. Here are a few small changes you can have done that will yield high impact results. 

Crowns are the tooth-shaped caps that usually cover the part of the tooth that extends above the gum line. Modern crowns help to restore the structure of compromised teeth and return them to full beauty and functionality. When cemented in place, they restore shape, size and strength of the teeth and improve appearance. But crowns aren’t just used for damaged and broken teeth, as they are also used to cover severely discolored and/or misshapen teeth. Crowns are very common and the service is usually provided by most dental offices.

Most crowns are permanent and constructed in a dental laboratory, made of resin, ceramic, porcelain or metal. Some, however, can be made at your local dental office and are referred to as temporary crowns usually made up of acrylic or stainless steel that are used for temporary restoration until a permanent solution is found. 

Missing teeth (late night at the bar, anyone?) can make it difficult to speak and even eat, not to mention self-consciousness and maybe embarrassment regarding appearance. In many cases, dental implants can remedy this problem, while helping to restore all needed functionality to the supporting structure. They also bring back confidence in your smile and appearance. 

It’s virtually impossible to tell today’s dental implants from real teeth. They are known to be strong and durable, and may be used with other restorative procedures. For a single missing tooth, an implant can be used as support for a crown, or for many missing teeth, implants can serve to support a dental bridge. 

As with many of these procedures, candidacy for implants varies from person to person, so you need to consult with a good dentist prior to making any decisions about the procedure. Dr. Shahin Safarian D.M.D., from Irresistible Smiles says the due diligence must be done when looking for potential doctors and procedures. “Research their before and after cases and their post dental school experience, and see if their labs utilize implant dentistry,” says Safarian.

Dental fillings are used to repair minor tooth fractures, tooth decay and help even out the surface of the tooth for improved biting and chewing. Previously, fillings have been made of varying metals such as mercury, silver amalgam and porcelain. But today’s fillings are comprised of composite resins and are being made to match the actual color of natural teeth. No longer do you need to worry about having fillings that are highly visible. Fillings can also help to eliminate tooth sensitivity caused by tooth decay due to enamel loss.

We all know about braces and how they help to straighten crooked teeth, with the added affect of being extremely visible for the most part. Well, now there’s Invisalign. Invisalign treatments do the job of braces by aligning your teeth. The system uses custom-made aligners that you wear and change out every two weeks, without the middle school brace-face banter. One of the key things about the treatment is that the aligners are clear, so they don’t draw any unwanted attention; you hardly know they’re there.

Aside from being virtually invisible, the other main benefit to using this system is the aligners can be easily removed during treatment. This allows the patient to brush and floss as they normally would without the aligner. Also, since the aligners are made of a thermoplastic material instead of wires or metal, your time spent at the dentist will likely be less when you go in for check-ups. For those of you wondering, Invisalign can even help even if you’ve previously had braces but your teeth have shifted back since the treatment.

Teeth whitening has become widely popular over the years. Discuss Dental is taking whitening a step further with the Zoom Teeth Whitening treatment. With Zoom, a patient’s teeth can get up to 8 shades whiter in just one visit. The treatment uses a proprietary gel that is applied, under a special lighting system, for three 15-minute sessions. It’s recommended to adhere to the post whitening care or brushing and flossing twice a day as well as touching up with Weekender or Nite White gels for long lasting effects. 

These are but a few small improvements that can be made that will greatly affect your smile. Many doctors are now offering these services in local offices. Proper research should always be done to find the right doctor for you, who can help you find the right procedure and bring out the best smile you’ve ever had. 

Discover these top cosmetic dentists in San Diego for your pearly whites: 

Irresistible Smiles in Torrey Hills
The goal of the office is to educate patients as well as help them with many of their cosmetic dentistry needs. Dr. Safarian specializes in a variety of services including TMJ therapy for migraine relief, and treating snoring and sleep apnea with oral appliances. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and available for consultations. For more information, visit Safariandmd.com.

Strober Dental in Banker’s Hill
Strober Dental prides itself on its peaceful, spa-like environment and state of the art operatories. It offers veneers, Invisalign clear braces, teeth whitening and a host of other services to help you achieve the best smile you can have. For more information, visit Stroberdental.com.

Smiles of Eastlake in Chula Vista

The staff at Smiles of Eastlake makes it a priority to make patients feel at home by putting their needs first and delivering energetic, fun-loving service to all who walk through the door. It offers services ranging from crowns to dental implants, with a team that gives exceptional quality. For more information, visit Smilesofeastlake.com

Art of Dentistry in Banker’s Hill
In this office, patients can enjoy the comforts of a modern atmosphere. The highly skilled staff is dedicated to taking health and beauty to new levels. They specialize in smile designs, bonding and oral sedation services. For more information, visit Sandiegoartofdentistry.com.

Zen Diego Dental Arts in Hillcrest
Zen Diego Dental Arts is unique in that the dentistry is conducted as a tranquil Asian spa. The facilities are comprised of many spa-like amenities and services to invoke a serene environment including massages, complete with soft, relaxing music. The staff focuses on minimal invasive procedures and more natural services. For more information, visit Zen-dentistry.com.

Smile Designers in Point Loma
Smile Designers specializes in every aspect of dentistry, with techniques geared toward prevention and maintenance of dental health. Patients are seen by appointment only, guaranteeing quality one-on-one time and virtually eliminating wait room boredom. The key to this practice is communication between staff and patient, so feel free to ask every question on your mind before and after your office visit. For more information, visit Sdsmiledesigners.com.

Discover more  San Diego cosmetic dentists and check out our beauty and health blog for more tips and trends.