What You Need To Know About Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Angeles
It seems that just about everyone in the South Beverly neighborhood has a perfect smile. Is it just genetics? Or is everyone slowly starting to figure out the secret world of cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles?
The world is changing. Having the “perfect look” is no longer a prerequisite for becoming a star (or even getting a date). On top of the body positivity movement, we’ve seen skincare brands vow to stop photoshopping their models with flawless skin.
Suffice to say that patients don’t ask for cosmetic dental work in Los Angeles isn’t administered in the name of vanity.
It’s actually more about your oral health.
Oral hygiene routines haven’t quite hit the trending page yet, but it’s coming. And a part of maintaining your dental hygiene is making sure your teeth’ positioning isn’t causing you harm.
Because believe it or not, overcrowded teeth and overbites can lead to much worse health problems than a toothache.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
You’re familiar with cosmetic surgery. These are surgical (and sometimes nonsurgical) procedures that enhance and reshape structures of the body— including your teeth! We define Cosmetic dentistry as a practice that focuses on improving your teeth.
Being immersed in a glamorous environment such as Los Angeles, it’s easy to want to look fabulous all of the time. Almost everyone does.
But cosmetic dental work is more than just a vain indulgence. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry describes that “having a great smile through cosmetic dentistry can lead to positive changes in your daily life.”
People decide to partake in cosmetic dentistry for a variety of reasons, including medical ones. For example, did you know that crooked teeth can lead to plaque build-up and cavities? Cosmetic work like Invisalign has health benefits, too!
Some other reasons why you might want cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles include:
- Improving self-confidence and self-image
- Preventing further oral health problems
- Repairing damage caused by oral disease
Who Can Get Cosmetic Dental in Los Angeles?
Most people want to have a healthy smile, so we see patients of all ages asking about cosmetic dentistry services. Most dentists would agree with the idea that anyone over the age of 18 is eligible for this type of service.
We’re also not opposed to providing cosmetic dental work to anyone under the age of 18. However, they may only participate with a parent or guardian’s permission.
What are the Best Options For Cosmetic Dentistry Los Angeles?
The first thing a person typically sees is your smile. It’s only natural that you would want it to look and feel as best as possible.
But what type of dental work do you actually need done?
Today, cosmetic dentists perform a wide array of procedures to help build a healthy smile. Whether you want to fix your grin for your Instagram photos or because you have problems like tooth decay, LA dentists are going to have options for you.
Some of the best options for cosmetic dentistry consist of teeth whitening, veneers, Invisalign, and dental implants.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry due to its quick results and easy accessibility. You can have teeth whitening procedures done in a dentist’s office and see improvements almost immediately.
Dental hygienists typically perform this procedure by removing any substances that keep the tooth from its natural state. This includes plaque, tartar, and any other debris. After cleaning the teeth, the process for whitening begins by coating your teeth with a bleaching agent containing hydrogen peroxide. This is the stuff that enhances your tooth’s natural tone to a brighter appearance.
And yes, there are at-home teeth whitening remedies that can temporarily whiten your teeth. However, overuse of certain products or practices can lead to more damage to dental health. Using home remedies can lead to side effects such as:
- Sensitive teeth
- Damage to tooth roots
- Enamel erosion
- Uneven bleaching
- Gum damage
- Tooth nerve damage
By visiting a dental professional’s office, you’ll avoid these complications and see faster results (like… same-day results).
READ MORE: TEETH WHITENING IN LOS ANGELES
Crowns
A dental crown or cap covers a damaged tooth to restore it to an ideal shape, size, and alignment with surrounding teeth. Patients need a crown after a root canal procedure, which usually means only one tooth needs correcting.
This is probably the most basic (and affordable) type of cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles. Depending on the materials used to make your crown, you can pay anywhere between $300 and $3,000 per tooth.
For aesthetic purposes, you might want a crown because of a cracked or chipped tooth. Although, chipped teeth can cause medical trauma as well.
Or, as mentioned, a crown is necessary if you’ve had a root canal done to prevent or treat oral disease.
READ MORE: DENTAL CROWN: PRICE, PROCEDURE, AND OPTIONS
Veneers
In recent years, dental veneers have grown in popularity amongst people involved with social appearances. But again, they contribute more than just looks.
These thin shells can cover cracked, chipped, or even stained teeth. Veneers are shaped and colored exactly like your natural teeth so that nobody will be able to tell the difference!
Veneers are an excellent solution for consistent oral health complications such as:
- Chipping
- Cracked teeth
- Stubborn stains
The procedure for veneers is simple:
- First, you make a consultation appointment.
- On your second visit, we make an impression of your teeth to get the best fit.
- We send it out to a specialist to build your custom veneers.
- To affix the material to your enamel, we may need to shave down your teeth to ensure the veneers don’t crowd your teeth.
- During your next visit, we’ll officially bond your resin or porcelain veneers to your teeth. We’ll do a quick cleaning to ensure there isn’t any debris in your teeth or gums.
- Finally, we’ll mix a cement bonding agent and slightly scrape the surface of your tooth to create texture before applying the veneers.
Depending on what type of veneers you choose, they could last for 10-15 years!
READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LOS ANGELES VENEERS
Invisalign
Gapped, crooked, overbites, and underbites put you at a greater risk for dental issues, which is why dentists recommend straightening them. Invisalign has made it easier and more accessible for people to have straight teeth.
We talked about Invisalign before. We define it as “flexible plastic, free from Bisphenol A (BPA), used to align your teeth.”
To start, we may take impressions of your teeth. However, we’re kind of fancy these days, so it’s more likely that we’ll use a 3D scanner. Then we can use the imaging to create a series of molds— a.k.a your clear Invisalign trays. Using these trays over a series of months will force your teeth into new positions, improving your smile.
It’s common that when people first think of straightening their teeth, they believe braces are the only option. Thankfully, this isn’t the case! Here’s a little bit more about Invisalign vs. braces.
Braces obtain metal brackets that can be very uncomfortable against your mouth. Contrary to braces, Invisalign is completely clear and a bit more comfortable to wear.
Another upside to Invisalign is that patients using them can remove them at any time, which allows them to eat or drink anything they want! Meaning, you can eat that In-and-Out burger without having to be worried about it getting stuck in your metal brackets.
READ MORE: INVISALIGN IN LOS ANGELES: DO YOU REALLY NEED IT?
Dental Implants
Imagine being able to comfortably smile without any concerns about your appearance. We can reconcile those worries of a cracked or missing tooth with dental implants.
Dental implants are metal roots that provide a base for permanent artificial teeth. It’s a procedure that helps repair portions of a completely damage to a tooth. The downside to this approach is that it takes a while.
To give you a better synopsis of what the procedure looks like, we broke it down into steps:
- 3D scans
- Teeth pulling and bone grafting
- Placement
- Abutment (Attachment) and healing
- Final Crown
The dental implant procedure is a long road to take, but it is entirely worth its longevity if you desire a permanent fix to your teeth!
READ MORE: WHAT HAPPENS DURING A DENTAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE?
How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost in Los Angeles?
Access to cosmetic dental work in Los Angeles has become easier to obtain over the years. The increased public interest has led to many dental offices being at just a fingertip’s reach of patients. However, it leaves the question, “how much does cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles cost?”
Well, that answer varies.
Prices depend on the dentist’s experience, location, and type of procedure you choose to get done. To give a reference, the average cost of services can look like this:
- Dental implant: The average price of a dental implant can be around $3,000.
- Teeth whitening: Can produce an average of $650 for its services.
- Invisalign: These can cost anywhere from $3,000- $5,000.
- Veneers: On average, you can expect to pay $925 to $2,500 per tooth
If those numbers made you cringe— don’t worry! There are payment plans available at most dentist offices.
Insurance also plays a big part in lowering the financial costs of cosmetic dentistry. Those without insurance also have the option to use CareCredit, depending on which offices you go to. Again, these costs are rough estimates of the services provided. There are a plethora of factors that go into the cost that can actually lower the price.
Overall, if you’re looking for a sustainable and secure solution for your teeth, costs will be a slight implication. Everyone deserves the beautiful and healthy smile they’ve always wanted!
RELATED: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO THE DENTIST WITHOUT INSURANCE?
This is a highly informative piece that sheds light on the transformative energy of cosmetic dentistry’s past aesthetics. It’s refreshing to peer the emphasis on the fitness blessings of approaches like Invisalign and dental crowns, which cope with not longer handiest appearance but also issues like overcrowding and plaque construction. I appreciate the transparency concerning fees and the inclusion of fee alternatives, making these existence-improving procedures reachable to greater human beings. Well carried out!