Cosmetic Dentistry Creating Perfect Downtown Los Angeles Smiles
A beautiful, confident smile is one of the most appealing features any person can have. The arrangement and shape of your teeth as well as their shade are essential elements to your overall appearance. Studies have shown that people are viewed as more attractive, intelligent and successful in their career with smiles that have been enhanced with cosmetic dentistry versus their original smiles. If you are looking to improve the look of your teeth and gums, a consultation with Dr. Adam Geach will provide all the information you need before taking the next step towards a confident smile.
Creating a Natural Cosmetic Result
We are one of the only practices that combines the knowledge of a Board Certified Prosthodontist and a Master Dental Ceramist to design your cosmetic restorations. This unique collaboration, in one location, is the key to creating natural cosmetic results.
1. The process starts with a discussion of the improvements that you would like to make with your smile. A comprehensive examination of your teeth and surrounding tissues is necessary to assess your oral health. Intricate details of your teeth are evaluated such as the tooth position, shape, shade, length, bite and surface characteristics.
2. Pictures of your teeth and models are made to begin the design process. A diagnostic mock-up of the new shape and position is created along with the Dental Ceramist. This is shown and discussed with you before we begin treatment.
3. The treatment process begins and is based on the diagnostic plan that we have designed and you have approved. Temporary restorations are made while the final restorations are fabricated in our in-office laboratory. We may use a combination of treatments such as veneers, crowns and/or composite resin bonding to achieve the result you are looking for.
Shade matching is a critical step in the esthetic process. Intricate details of the natural teeth are mapped and incorporated into the final crowns or veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
When it comes to transforming the smile, nothing does it better than porcelain veneers. With them, we can:
- Instantly whiten the teeth
- Fix chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Close gaps
- Make misshapen or undersized teeth appear more uniform
- Straighten slightly crooked/rotated teeth
Veneers are ultra thin ceramic facings that are fitted to the front of the teeth. They are always custom-made to a patient’s specifications, so they can give you everything from a minor touch-up to a dramatic makeover all in just two to three appointments.
Metal-Free Restorations
At Geach Dental, when we restore a tooth, we don’t simply want to bring back its strength and function, but its beauty as well. Metal-free restorations allow us to do all three. These crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays are made entirely of high-quality dental ceramics, which in addition to being extremely durable, can also be shaped and shaded to completely mimic natural tooth characteristics. With this material, we can make restorations so lifelike that even our patients have trouble telling them apart from natural teeth!
Direct Bonding
Wouldn’t it be great if you could just get rid of that one tiny stain, chip, or gap that completely distracts from your beautiful smile? What if you could do it in an hour or less? Now you can thanks to direct bonding! For this procedure, Dr. Geach will apply a color-matched composite resin to your compromised tooth to build up any damaged/missing enamel and sculpt it to perfection. This treatment is fast, painless, and one of the easiest ways to dramatically improve your smile.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
In Los Angeles, if you don’t have a sparkling white smile, you’re bound to be looked over. Rather than trying to lift stubborn coffee and wine stains using over-the-counter whitening treatments, Geach Dental can send you home with your own custom-made whitening kit. It will consist of custom trays designed to fit your particular teeth and a bleaching agent much stronger than anything you’ll find in stores or online. Simply use the kit as directed for two weeks, and you can easily make your smile up to EIGHT shades whiter.
Learn More About At-Home Teeth Whitening
Gum Recontouring
Every picture needs the right frame, and every beautiful smile needs the right gum line to compliment it. If your teeth are overshadowed by an excess of gum tissue, Dr. Geach will recommend a crown lengthening procedure. This procedure is performed to reshape your gums and reveal previously hidden tooth structure to give you that perfectly proportioned look you desire.
Digital Imaging
With digital imaging, we can create your own “Before & After” photos before you actually undergo any cosmetic treatment. You’ll be able to see your new smile from the world’s perspective, allowing you to make a more informed decision as well as ask for any adjustments you might want.
Learn More About Digital Imaging
Understanding the Cost of Cosmetic Dentistry
Even if you want cosmetic dentistry, you might worry about the price. After all, the field’s treatments usually aren’t covered by dental insurance plans. However, we at Beach Dental can help you navigate the costs of cosmetic dentistry in downtown Los Angeles. Different procedures have different expenses, so our team will find an ideal, affordable option at your consultation. From there, you can achieve a beautiful smile that inspires priceless confidence!
Which Cosmetic Dental Service is Right for Me?
Cosmetic dentistry provides one (or more) of three improvements: whiter teeth, straighter teeth, or differently-shaped teeth. Depending on which you prefer, your dentist may suggest various options. Some of them include the following:
- Teeth Whitening – This fast service bleaches tooth enamel at a moderate cost. As such, it’s ideal for patients who want a brighter smile on short notice.
- Dental Bonding – Dental bonding’s tooth-colored resin covers small flaws and other damage. Treatment is pretty cheap, too, but only lasts a few years at most.
- Gum Recontouring – Using a specialized dental laser, recontouring removes excess gum tissue that makes smiles seem “gummy.” In doing so, it reveals hidden tooth structures to give your grin a more proportioned look. Even better, it’s a low-cost procedure when done per tooth.
- Metal-Free Restorations – Ceramic crowns and fillings protect your teeth while looking natural. Due to their high-quality materials, though, they cost more than other cosmetic treatments.
- Porcelain Veneers – Veneers are thin, artificial shells covering teeth' fronts. They correct multiple smile flaws and have a long lifespan, so they’re often expensive.
Cosmetic Dentistry is a Worthwhile Investment
At times, the cost of cosmetic dentistry in downtown Los Angeles runs high. Despite that fact, however, treatment has long-term benefits that make it a good investment.
You see, cosmetic dental work boosts your confidence as well as your looks. With its results, you won’t feel insecure or nervous around friends or family! This better self-image can then lead to a higher quality of life, especially when it comes to relationships and work prospects. All sorts of people would be charmed by your smile and make your days smoother.
How to Make Cosmetic Dentistry Affordable
As mentioned before, most insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic dentistry. That said, there are other ways to make treatment budget-friendly.
For instance, Geach Dental offers flexible financing with the third-party service CareCredit. They allow patients to pay for procedures with low-interest, monthly installments. That way, you don’t have to break the bank to care for your teeth.
If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic dentistry costs, feel free to book a consultation with us. Dr. Geach will certainly transform your smile in a way that fits your finances.
Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
Never had cosmetic dental treatment performed before? We understand if you have questions about a specific treatment or how the process works. You may not even be sure if you need cosmetic dentistry but want to speak with a professional directly! In either case, Geach Dental is happy to speak with you about any concerns you may have. In the meantime, take a moment to look over our most frequently asked questions below for additional guidance.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Expensive?
While many people assume cosmetic dentistry is expensive, this is not always the case. The reason it has a pricey reputation is because it’s not covered by dental insurance. This forces people to pay out-of-pocket to complete treatment. If you fear that your cosmetic dentistry will be too expensive, you’ll need to consider whether or not the treatment you want will be worth the cost. For most patients at Geach Dental, they believe the results were more than worth the price tag, especially when they realized how much it boosted their self-esteem, confidence and overall quality of life. We do also offer CareCredit financing if you’re in need of a long-term payment plan to cover costs.
How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Last?
The lifespan of your cosmetic dentistry generally depends on the type of treatment you receive. For example, quick and easy services like teeth whitening and direct bonding will generally not last as long as more extensive services like veneers. However, they are also much more affordable. Gum recontouring can be costly, but the results are almost always permanent since gum tissue does not grow back once removed. Additionally, the better you take care of your oral health, the longer your results should last. This means staying on top of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups. It also means wearing a mouthguard should you need one, never using your teeth as a tool, and limiting foods that can potentially stain your teeth.
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
Patients who are set on transforming their smile may be worried about their procedure being potentially painful, but Dr. Geach is prepared to make your treatment as comfortable and pain-free as possible. For example, most cosmetic treatments are considered non-invasive, including whitening and bonding, so you won’t even need anesthetic to receive them. If we need to modify your enamel beforehand (i.e. for veneers), then we will numb your tooth and surrounding gum tissue first. Residual soreness and sensitivity could be present for the next few days after treatment, but this is minor and temporary at worst. If you are particularly anxious about treatment, we may also recommend sedation dentistry.
Is Cosmetic Dentistry Safe?
When performed by a trained professional like Dr. Geach, you can expect your cosmetic treatment to be completely safe. Just remember that not every treatment is for everyone. For this reason, Dr. Geach performs a detailed exam of your mouth beforehand to confirm your eligibility to receive certain treatments. If you have any pre-existing concerns (i.e. tooth decay, gum disease, etc.) then these must be handled before we can recommend cosmetic dentistry.