Cosmetic Dentistry
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the specialty field of dentistry dedicated to enhancing the appearance of the teeth, gums, and smile while maintaining a patient’s oral health. A cosmetic dentist receives additional training in aesthetic procedures to develop greater skill and understanding of the latest techniques and technology. All dentists receive a small amount of training in basic cosmetic concepts; however, you can benefit from choosing a dentist who has opted to complete continuing education in cosmetic treatments and achieves membership status with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the largest and most prestigious community of cosmetic dental professionals.
Premier Smile Design Services
Current trends in dentistry reflect our patients’ desire for conservative long-lasting treatments that also look great. At Scripps Center for Dental Care, our cosmetic dentists, who have reached the highest levels of Accreditation within the prestigious American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, recognize that all forms of dental care are directly related to appearance, and we strive to help our patients achieve the very best in function and aesthetics when it comes to their smiles. Research shows that people with healthy smiles are more likely to be hired for jobs, be respected for their opinions, and have higher levels of self-confidence. As materials, techniques, and technology improve, we are increasingly able to provide subtle yet effective treatments that look beautiful and blend perfectly with natural teeth. Plus, with a number of anesthesia and sedation options available, it is more comfortable than ever to undergo aesthetic procedures.
Your Cosmetic Dentistry Options
Planning Your Perfect Smile
See your dream smile before you wear it with the help of Digital Smile Design from our innovative practice. We can customize a treatment plan to enhance the beauty of your teeth, gums, and smile using the latest technology, make adjustments to best suit your needs and preferences, and let you preview the result—all before starting any procedures.
Porcelain Veneers For Natural-looking Aesthetics
Have more than one aesthetic concern affecting your smile? Porcelain veneers can address a multitude of common issues and create natural-looking improvement that lasts for a decade or more.
Repairing Chipped Teeth
Noticed a chip or crack in one or more of your teeth? Dental bonding and single unit veneers from our experienced dentists can repair your smile with beautiful, lasting, and strong results.
Replacing Missing Teeth
We offer a broad array of prosthodontic options to replace missing teeth and repair damage. These are designed to suit the wide range of needs of our patients. We offer dentures, partial dentures, dental implants, and many more techniques to restore your smile.
Teeth Whitening
Clear away stains and discolorations with state-of-the-art teeth whitening options. Our advanced techniques, including BriteSmile®, ZOOM!®, and KöR®, can address even the most set-in stains—even tetracycline effects.
Aesthetic Restorations
We offer metal and mercury-free dentistry. If you have amalgam fillings or other metal restorations, we can replace them with a tooth-colored composite counterpart that looks more natural and doesn’t put your health at risk.
Gummy Smile Treatment
Many patients have “small” teeth, an uneven gumline, or what’s called a “gummy smile.” These common concerns can be improved more comfortably than ever before with laser gum reshaping therapy.
Cosmetic Dentistry Costs
The price of your cosmetic dental treatment will depend on which procedures you choose and the complexity of your program. As a helpful tool, we have provided a general resource on approximate costs for some of the most common techniques:
- Digital Smile Design: $500 to $750, includes all records measurement, photos, digital scans, and the 3D smile try on “test drive” smile.
- Porcelain Veneers: $1,500 to $2,000 per tooth, includes custom temporaries, all lab fees, and guaranteed results.
- Teeth Whitening: $350 to $450 in-office procedure, includes touch-up trays and a three-month supply of whitening gel.
- Dental Bonding: $750 to $950 for anterior composite full veneers.
- Aesthetic Restorations: $350 to $500 per tooth for back chewing teeth and anterior teeth.
- Dental Implants: $5,000 to $6,500 per tooth, includes titanium fixture, healing abutment, custom abutment, and final porcelain crown.
- Gummy Smile Treatment: $2,300 to $3,500 for the surgical phase only; does not include veneers or bonding.
- Invisalign®: $6,500 to $7,500 for a full treatment case (upper and lower), depending on the number of trays. Includes retainers.
Why You Should Choose Scripps Center For Dental Care
Choosing a cosmetic dentist is the first, and potentially most important, step of your journey toward a more beautiful smile. You want to select a dental professional who is experienced and skillful in the treatment for which you’re interested, offers patient-focused and compassionate care, and emphasizes conservative, biomimetic techniques that preserve and protect your dental health (after all, what’s the use of a lovely smile if it’s damaged or painful?). Our comprehensive team of professionals is extensively trained in all subspecialties of dentistry, and our cosmetic dentists are accredited members and fellows of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. We are committed to your care from start to finish, and you can receive all treatments, cosmetic or otherwise, in-house—no need to travel elsewhere to see a specialist. Schedule a consultation today to see the difference elite care can make.
Cosmetic Dentistry Faqs
How Long Does A Full Smile Makeover Take?
The length of the smile makeover process often differs for each patient—some individuals can finish their combination treatment plan in one appointment, while others may complete their smile transformation in stages. It all depends on your goals, the current state of your oral health, and your treatments-of-interest. Fortunately, our Digital Smile Design technology can allow you to see a preview of the anticipated final results beforehand so you can gain a visual understanding of your dream smile before it becomes a reality.
Can I Complement Cosmetic Treatments With Sedation Dentistry?
If you have anxiety about being in the dentist’s chair, sedation dentistry can certainly help provide a more relaxing treatment experience. That said, patients typically feel minimal discomfort during cosmetic treatments, if any. With cutting-edge dental technology such as laser dentistry and digital x-rays, our cosmetic techniques are designed to be as gentle and minimally invasive as possible.
Why Does Accreditation From The Aacd Matter?
There are several tiers of accreditation awarded by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry based on a dentist’s level of training in aesthetic procedures. This certification is important because it demonstrates a commitment to furthering one’s proficiency in cosmetic dentistry techniques beyond the bare minimum. Like most fields of study, more training typically equates to superior final results. All of our cosmetic dentists are accredited members of the AACD, with Dr. John Weston even achieving the status of “Accredited Fellow”—the highest level of certification possible.
Does Every Dental Office Offer Cosmetic Dentistry?
There are numerous dental offices that may offer one or two cosmetic services, such as teeth whitening or tooth bonding, but very few practices have a team of providers comprised of AACD-trained cosmetic dentists. In fact, Scripps Center for Dental Care is one of the only offices in the Southern California region whose team includes multiple accredited members of the AACD. We believe this allows us to optimize your care through collaborative treatment planning when compared to other dental providers.
Can I See Before-and-after Photos?
Absolutely! Our expansive smile gallery showcases the results of several successful cases achieved with our previous patients. We encourage you to explore these before-and-after photos to see exactly how transformative cosmetic dentistry can be.
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Only Improve My Smile?
One of the most advantageous aspects of cosmetic dentistry is the ability to advance your oral health and wellness in conjunction with your smile. All of our cosmetic treatments are designed with your general well-being in mind, and conservative techniques are employed where applicable to preserve as much natural tissue as possible. With mercury-free tooth-colored fillings, dental lasers, and digital x-rays standing out as some of the many ways we work to provide holistic dental care, our cosmetic services can enhance your health as much as your appearance.
Additional Faqs About Scripps Center For Dental Care
Have additional questions about your treatment? We’re here to help. We have provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. For more information, please reach out to our practice.
Whether you wish simply to refine the appearance of your teeth or dramatically reinvent your smile, our dental specialists can help. To schedule an appointment at our cosmetic dentistry practice in La Jolla, please contact Scripps Center for Dental Care today. We proudly serve the entire San Diego region and are always pleased to welcome new patients to our practice.