Cosmetic Dental Care Los Angeles, CA
Patients can receive cosmetic dental care to improve the appearance of their smiles. Unlike traditional dental care that helps patients maintain or improve oral health, cosmetic dental care aims to restore or improve the look of teeth, gums, and overall smile. Cosmetic dentists have treatments to whiten discolored teeth, reshape gums, replace missing teeth, and enhance the mouth's overall appearance.
Cosmetic dental care is available at Dr. Robert B Tamaki, DDS in Los Angeles and the surrounding area to help give you a smile that you have always wanted. These treatments can boost your confidence and help you love your smile. Call us at (310) 402-0156 to schedule an appointment and find out which treatment is the best for you.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Care
There are various types of cosmetic services for people who want to improve their smiles. People interested in these services should keep the varying treatment length and price in mind when discussing cosmetic dentistry options. Some of the popular procedures include:
- Clear braces or aligners: These are ways to straighten teeth less visibly. Clear braces have clear brackets connected with a wire and are a good choice for more crooked teeth. Aligners are removable plastic trays. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, cosmetic dentists generally recommend aligners for patients whose cosmetic dental issues are minor.
- Dental implants: According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, implants are among the most important dentistry advancements. They replace one or more missing teeth by inserting a titanium rod into the jawbone and then placing a tooth cap on top. This treatment is secure, and the teeth look and function like natural ones.
- Teeth whitening: This is one of the most popular choices for smile improvement. It is also generally the easiest and least expensive method. A dental professional can bleach teeth in the office or recommend an at-home kit.
- Veneers: These are thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front surface of each tooth. Veneers can cover up discoloration, chips, gaps, short teeth, worn enamel, and other imperfections. They can also change the shape, length, or color of the teeth.
“There are various types of cosmetic services for people who want to improve their smiles.”
The Initial Consultation
It is important for patients to carefully research before choosing a cosmetic dental treatment and dentist. The best treatment option depends on each patient's wants and needs. A cosmetic dentist's consultation will guide the best treatment plan and set up realistic treatment expectations. As cosmetic dentistry is an elective treatment, it is also important for people to research the treatment cost and discuss coverage with their insurance provider. Patients should also consider the time and cost it takes to get the treatment, the number of follow-up appointments, and the required upkeep.
During the initial consultation, we work with patients to discover the smile they are looking for and address their primary concerns. X-rays provide us with a solid idea of the current state of the mouth and the treatments needed. We will also have a thorough discussion of the patient's health history and current oral condition and conclude with a physical examination. After the exam, patients can hear the cosmetic dentist's recommendations and ask any questions about the services available, cost, and post-care maintenance before deciding on a treatment. Upon gathering all important information, we curate a customized treatment plan for the patient, including all of the treatments they may need.
“Patients should also consider the time and cost it takes to get the treatment, the number of follow-up appointments, and the required upkeep.”
Choosing the Right Treatment and Cosmetic Dentist
Patients should carefully research and consider their treatment options. It is also essential to use careful consideration when looking for a qualified cosmetic dentist. Some criteria to consider choosing a cosmetic dentist are how long the dentist has been practicing, how extensive the practice is, what dental technologies they use, and previous patient results.
The initial consultation is important for patients to learn more about the practice and express their needs. This appointment is also an opportunity for the cosmetic dentist to advise which treatment will be the most beneficial and set up realist treatment expectations. The cosmetic dentist will gather information using X-rays and teeth impressions and review the patient's teeth shape, size, and color. This information will help the cosmetic dentist create a custom treatment plan for the patient.
“Patients should carefully research and consider their treatment options.”
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Home Care Routines
Home care and maintenance differs from treatment to treatment. For most cosmetic treatments, dental care and oral hygiene regimens are the same: brush twice daily and floss at least once a day along with visiting the dentist for routine checkups. However, some cosmetic treatments require more individualized care.
For dental implants, brushing and flossing twice daily is crucial. Using a soft toothbrush and low-abrasive toothpaste, gently brush under, in, and around the implant to clean hard-to-reach areas. We also recommend using an unwaxed tape for flossing or implant-specific floss along with an oral irrigator.
For gum contouring and teeth whitening treatments, we advise patients to rest and avoid rigorous activity including biting and chewing. The gums and teeth require healing, which may take up to a week. During this time, patients should avoid spicy, sticky, and acidic foods and beverages. They should also continue to brush teeth two to three times daily and floss at least once a day.
“For most cosmetic treatments, dental care and oral hygiene regimens are the same: brush twice daily and floss at least once a day along with visiting the dentist for routine checkups.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How should you choose the right treatment and cosmetic dentist?
Q. What are required home care routines for cosmetic treatments?
Q. What are some of the types of cosmetic dental treatments?
Q. What should people consider before seeking cosmetic dental care?
Q. What are dental care routines?
People Also Ask
Q. What are some of the most popular tooth-related dental aesthetics procedures?
Q. What are the benefits of composite fillings?
Dental Care Routines
Dental care routines consist of both home and dental office practices. After every treatment, we recommend a certain amount of dental checkups or follow-ups necessary for proper care and maintenance. It is important that patients continue visiting their primary dentist to receive their necessary routine checkups and professional cleanings.
To keep the teeth bright, clean, and healthy after cosmetic treatment, we recommend that all of our patients brush, floss, and rinse after every meal. We highly encourage patients to come to all of their follow-up appointments to ensure their treatment plan is going as intended and make any adjustments as needed. During these visits, we may also recommend other treatments as issues or conditions arise to keep them from developing further.
“To keep the teeth bright, clean, and healthy after cosmetic treatment, we recommend that all of our patients brush, floss, and rinse after every meal.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How does cosmetic dentistry differ from general dentistry?
A. General dentists focus on maintaining and restoring oral health. Cosmetic dentists focus on improving the look of the smile using elective procedures. This type of dentistry combines science and art to enhance aesthetics.
Q. How long does cosmetic dental care take?
A. Procedure length can vary. Some treatments, like teeth whitening, may only take one relatively short visit with the dentist. Other treatments, like dental implants and braces, will take a series of appointments. Patients can research or ask about treatment duration during a consultation.
Q. Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
A. The cost of cosmetic procedures varies greatly from one treatment to another. Every insurance policy is different, and not all cover cosmetic dental care. Contact your insurance company to see if they cover any procedure so you can plan financially.
Q. Who is a good candidate for cosmetic dental care?
A. Cosmetic dental care can benefit many people with cosmetic dentistry issues. People with misaligned, stained, worn, broken, chipped, or misshapen teeth can find solutions through cosmetic dentistry. Good candidates should also take good care of their oral health by brushing and flossing regularly.
Q. Are there side effects of cosmetic dental services?
A. There are generally few side effects to cosmetic care. For less complicated treatments, the patient may notice a little sensitivity in the teeth or gums. This discomfort should go away after a few days. More invasive procedures like implants may cause discomfort, swelling, and bleeding after treatment. These side effects typically also only last a short amount of time.
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Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
Having a beautiful smile is a confidence booster. Learn about how you can enhance your smile by speaking to our team at Dr. Robert B Tamaki, DDS. Call us today at 310-402-0156 to schedule an appointment and discuss the best treatment plan to meet your individual needs.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
About our business, license, and website security
- Dr. Robert B Tamaki, DDS was established in 1985.
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