Dental Cosmetics San Diego, CA
Dental cosmetics is a branch of dentistry dedicated to improving the appearance of teeth, gums, and overall smile. A beautiful smile can do wonders for your confidence. There is a wide range of dental cosmetics procedures to help people smile with confidence.
It is important to consult a cosmetic dentist to learn more about the available treatments and services. Dental cosmetics are available at Mission Valley Dental Arts in San Diego and the surrounding area. Call us at (619) 805-4248 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how dental cosmetics can improve your smile.
Cosmetic vs. General Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is different from general dentistry as it aims to improve people's appearance rather than bettering oral health. There are various dental cosmetic procedures people may choose from depending on their wants and needs. Whitening procedures help with stained or discolored teeth. Some possible whitening services are chemical whitening, veneers, bonding, or cosmetic crown placement. The right whitening option often depends on the reason for the staining. For example, a tooth with a dead root may have a grey tinge and appear darker than the surrounding teeth. Whitening may not fix this, as the discoloration is on the inside. In this case, a better option may be a veneer or a crown.
Other cosmetic procedures aim to create a more even, pleasing tooth shape. Services can include placing a crown over a misshapen tooth, enamel shaping, or orthodontic treatment. In some cases, these cosmetic procedures can also improve the patient's oral health. Some distorted teeth configurations, while aesthetically bothersome, can also negatively affect the health of the teeth and jawbone.
“Cosmetic dentistry is different from general dentistry as it aims to improve people’s appearance rather than bettering oral health.”
Dental Restoration Services
Restorative dentistry improves the appearance of teeth and helps support oral health. Dental restoration involves various methods of dealing with missing or non-functional teeth. For example, a tooth may be broken, worn down, or very decayed. A cosmetic dentist will select crowns or replacement teeth that match the other teeth in color and shape. Although the function is important, appearance remains an important factor in dental restoration. Options for dental restoration include:
- Crowns: While some crowns are placed over healthy teeth to improve aesthetics, in many cases, placement is needed to support a weak or broken tooth. In those cases, crowns enable patients to continue chewing comfortably. Crowns also help maintain proper spacing for the surrounding teeth.
- Fillings: This is a common type of dental restoration. Fillings are necessary to prevent further decay and maintain the structural integrity of the tooth. When selecting filling materials, dentists are also mindful of visible filling placement. Patients can also opt for fillings made of porcelain or other composite materials that look more like the color of natural teeth.
- Tooth Replacement: A common tooth replacement option for missing or damaged teeth. Tooth replacements include bridges, crowns, dentures, and dental implants.
“Restorative dentistry improves the appearance of teeth and helps support oral health.”
Tooth Replacement Options
Tooth replacements are one of the most common restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. According to the American College of Prosthodontists, an estimated 178 million Americans have at least one missing tooth. A replacement tooth is essential to maintaining good spacing and health for the remaining teeth. Popular tooth replacements include implants, dentures, and bridges.
Dental implants serve as artificial tooth roots and can sufficiently support a tooth replacement such as a crown or bridge. Dentures are fixed or removable tooth replacements used in place of natural teeth for patients with many or all missing teeth. Bridges are connected teeth used to replace a row or several teeth that are close together in the mouth. Tooth replacements today are made of durable material and are tooth-colored to provide the most comfortable, natural-looking smile that both look and feel like real teeth.
“There are various dental cosmetic procedures people may choose from depending on their wants and needs.”
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The Benefits of Dental Cosmetics
Many people yearn for a more attractive smile. Correcting damaged teeth, bite straightening, and teeth whitening are a few of the many solutions people can use to improve their smile. These treatments can give people the confidence they need to smile bigger and more often. A 2017 study found that various dental disorders like malocclusion, anterior traumatic tooth, tooth loss, and untreated decay profoundly affected adolescents' appearance and psychosocial behavior, thus affecting their self-esteem. Dental cosmetics may have positive psychological effects, as some patients have reported improved self-esteem after receiving treatment.
Dental cosmetics can have other benefits by offering solutions to improve a patient's aesthetic appearance. Some procedures can fix aesthetic issues like crooked, damaged, or diseased teeth. In some cases, dental cosmetics can also improve facial appearance and structure. Although the primary focus of dental cosmetics is improving appearance, specific procedures can also improve health and function. For example, implants are a common way to address the difficulties of missing teeth. Bonding and crowns can fix the appearance of a chipped tooth and alleviate the resulting discomfort.
“Dental cosmetics can have other benefits by offering solutions to improve a patient’s aesthetic appearance.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the benefits of dental cosmetics?
Q. What differentiates cosmetic dentistry is from general dentistry?
Q. What is dental restoration?
Q. What are the types of dental cosmetic treatments?
People Also Ask
Q. What are dental care routines for cosmetic treatments?
Q. What should I look for in a dental provider?
Q. What are composite fillings?
Q. What home care routine should I follow?
Q. Where can I learn more about my dental diagnosis and treatment?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can benefit from dental cosmetics?
A. Anyone who is not happy with their smile can benefit from dental cosmetics. People experiencing problems with their teeth or gums may need to get treatment first. Patients should discuss their goals with a dentist to determine which procedure is right for their particular situation.
Q. When do insurance companies cover cosmetic dentistry?
A. People sometimes assume insurance will not cover a cosmetic procedure. However, this may not be true if the dentist identifies a health-based necessity. Patients should speak with their insurance provider and cosmetic dentist to clarify coverage for a particular procedure.
Q. How long will my teeth stay white after whitening treatment?
A. Teeth bleaching is a popular type of cosmetic dentistry. Most chemical whitening processes help teeth stay white between one and two years. Eating and drinking certain foods and drinks that result in staining can shorten this period.
Q. Is there any reason to get cosmetic dentistry for healthy teeth?
A. Patients who are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth can gain a lot from dental cosmetics. A person with healthy teeth can still have poor health in terms of self-confidence. In these cases, cosmetic dentistry may improve a patient's confidence and self-esteem.
Q. How long does it take to get dental implants?
A. Most patients will need at least two appointments that are four to six months apart to complete their dental implant. In some cases, a cosmetic dentist may be able to do everything in one appointment. In other cases, a patient will need additional visits to complete the dental implant placement.
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Dental Terminology
Schedule an Appointment
If you want to improve the appearance of your teeth, dental cosmetics may be for you. Our team is here to help you love your smile. Call (619) 805-4248 to schedule an appointment at Mission Valley Dental Arts.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
About our business, license, and website security
- Mission Valley Dental Arts was established in 2000.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: San Diego County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Mission Valley, San Diego, La Mesa, Chula Vista, La Jolla, Lakeside, Santee, Spring Valley, National City, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, Scripps Ranch, and Bonita
- CA (License #105712). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1851975734). View NPI Registry Information
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