We offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry services to our patients in and around Manhattan Beach, CA…
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Dental care should start as early as the first month from birth. Caring for your teeth and oral health, in general, doesn’t necessarily end with regular brushing and flossing at home. It requires more than just brushing and flossing to keep away the harmful bacteria that attacks and destroys the teeth.
To achieve optimum dental and oral health it is crucial to observe your regular dental visits without skipping. It is during these visits the dentist can note any dental problem at an early stage and address and adjust accordingly.
What is restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is when periodontal disease is identified, managed and prevented from recurring again. Restorative dentistry in many cases usually starts during the regular visits. A dentist might locate tartar formation on your teeth which he/she will clean using a dental brush and toothpaste and later on conduct preventive measures to stop it from recurring.
When you have a cavity in your tooth, the dentist will clean and inject filling to the gap to prevent further damage. When a tooth is destroyed and in need of extraction, the dentist will guide you on the various types of tooth replacement.
In short, restorative dentistry includes:
- Implants
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Bridges
- Veneers
- Root canal
- Dentures
- Extractions
These are some of the most common restorative dentistry in any standard dental clinic.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry focuses more on the appearance and to some extended treatment of the tooth. It also improves the appearance of your mouth and smile as well. It is done professionally by a dentist who specializes in cosmetic procedures, one who deeply understands the dental structures and treatments involved.
Cosmetic dentistry can be restorative to some extent. An example is when you want an inlay or only done on your decayed tooth. You’ll be restoring a decayed tooth back to its original structure, but this time you are free to choose a material of your choice.
Cosmetic dentistry is a part of restorative dentistry to some extent but not always. It is applicable during the following dental procedures:
- Composite bonding
- Onlays and inlays
- Veneers
- Implants
Restorative and cosmetic dentistry are more related than different. This is evident when patients are having corrective procedures done on their teeth. They consider the appearance the most instead of the functionality and overall health of the teeth. In this era most restorative dentistry clinics have incorporated cosmetic aspects of dental procedures to meet the rising demands of patients.
If you have any additional questions about restorative or cosmetic dentistry, please contact Manhattan Dental Care Studio today. We’ll schedule your consultation and get your oral health back on track, leaving you with a seriously good-looking smile.
As you head back to work or school after summer vacation, are you considering making some changes to your smile? Fortunately, there is a wide array of cosmetic dental treatments from which to choose. Of course, it’s great to have all these options, but how do you choose which is right for you?
Today, the Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist talks about the benefits of porcelain veneers vs. those of dental composite bonding. Both procedures can be used to build up and change the shape of a tooth, but which is right for you in the long-term?
Choosing Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin layer of dental material, usually porcelain, that replaces enamel and is bonded on to the underlying natural tooth.
Porcelain veneers are one of among the most aesthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile. Your cosmetic dentist can place them on just one or several teeth to allow for alteration of the tooth’s shape, size, and color. Veneers require a minimal amount of tooth preparation and are a more conservative restoration than crowns, which require significant removal of healthy tooth structure.
In general, porcelain veneers provide a better look than composite bonding. Composite bonding generally stains over time, while porcelain veneers can’t. Veneers are a better long-term option because, if made beautifully and natural-looking, they will retain their look for up to 20 years. Bonding has a shorter lifespan – up to 10 years at the most.
Advantages of Dental Composite Bonding
The three advantages of composite bonding are:
- Less tooth structure needs to be altered
- One or several teeth can be treated in only one visit
- Since less time is involved and the material used, bonding costs less than veneers
Dental bonding is a good choice if you are younger. Whether you choose bonding or veneers, you will need to have them replaced at some point in your lifetime. So it’s a good idea to go with the less expensive option to start. You can always opt for veneers in the future.
Choosing the Right Solution for You
When choosing the right treatment for you, it’s important to communicate your wants and needs to your Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist. We will take all the time necessary to make sure we have a clear understanding of the results you are looking for. You are investing time and money, so you should be thrilled with the results, no matter which treatment you choose.
If you would like more information about dental bonding and veneers, please give us a call to schedule a consultation!
Spring is here, and it’s time for a change! Professional teeth whitening at our Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist office is one of the best ways to improve your smile at a reasonable cost.
Your smile is a valuable commodity, and our teeth whitening treatment will ensure you have a dazzling smile all year round. Our teeth whitening treatments are easy, affordable, and improves your smile, enhancing your appearance and self-confidence.
Professional Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening can brighten your teeth by several shades in an hour or less and is an excellent way to look your very best in time for that important occasion. If you choose an in-office whitening treatment, we’ll provide you with bleaching trays and a take-home kit so, you can stay one step ahead of staining you eat.
A brighter smile immediately helps our patients look more youthful and feel more confident. Professional teeth whitening at our cosmetic dentist office is the most requested cosmetic dental treatment. The procedure’s simple and harmless, and a terrific way to reduce or eliminate unsightly stains brought on by age, chemical damage, and certain foods or beverages.
Benefits of Professional Whitening
Professional teeth whitening has several benefits over the alternatives:
- Easy – you’ll see beautiful results in just one visit.
- No downtime – get your teeth whitened at lunch and go back to work with a dazzling smile.
- Customized treatment – we’ll adjust your whitening depending on your level of sensitivity and aesthetic goals.
- Professional products provide quick, long lasting results.
Please Call to Arrange an Appointment
Teeth whitening is fast, safe, and effective for just about anyone who has undesired tooth discoloration. To keep your teeth bright and healthy, we recommend that you limit your intake of acidic vegetables, coffee, wine, acidic fruits, and other staining foods and beverages so that your smile will be bright for years to come.
Please call the Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist if you’d like to learn more about professional teeth whitening.
Spring is here, and we are all ready for a little renewal! This is the perfect time to think about easy ways you can spruce up your smile! Nothing can ruin a smile faster than teeth that are stained or discolored, and nothing can fix it faster than a professional teeth whitening treatment.
Many patients of the Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist are interested in learning more about options for keeping their smile bright. Here are a few tips to help you smile confidently into the Spring season.
Why Your Bright Smile Is Fading
In recent years you’ve probably noticed that it is getting harder to keep your teeth shiny and white as you get older. You may be following the same brushing and flossing routine, but the results are not keeping up with the changes to the appearance of your once youthful smile.
We commonly hear from our patients that they don’t understand why their teeth are becoming duller and harder to whiten. There are actually a number of reasons dental enamel can change in appearance over the years. Environmental factors contribute to some extent but more often this dulling is part of the natural aging process.
The teeth of a young person are covered with a thick layer of white enamel, concealing the inner core of the tooth. As you age, this enamel begins to erode, exposing more of the dentin beneath the surface. Dentin is naturally a darker, yellow color so older teeth often appear dull and yellow in comparison to healthy new teeth.
Avoiding Discoloration and Staining
You can remove some stains on the surface of dental enamel with regular flossing and brushing and professional cleanings at our dentist office. These stains are often caused by consuming stain-producing food and drinks such as colas, coffee, dark teas, and red wine, which can all leave stains on teeth.
But the absolute worst thing you can do is use tobacco products. Smoking or using chewing tobacco makes enamel appear dark, dull, and discolored. When they are relatively new, these stains can often be removed with a whitening treatment by a cosmetic dentist, but will eventually seep into porous enamel, making them difficult to remove.
Reverse the Effects of Aging with Effective Cosmetic Treatments
Your teeth will naturally change appearance and lose some of their luster over time in addition to accumulating environmental stains. But today’s modern cosmetic dentistry can restore the bright and luminous nature of your teeth, resulting in a more youthful looking smile.
Different teeth whitening options are available depending on your cosmetic goals, the extent of discoloration, and urgency with which you need to see results. There are patients who respond well to professional teeth bleaching treatments developed to lighten discoloration using a solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Dental veneers, which completely resurface enamel using thin layers of porcelain, may be a better option for patients with extensive or resistant staining.
Call the Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentist office today to learn more about teeth whitening and other cosmetic treatments that will rejuvenate your smile.
If you are hoping to improve your dental alignment using orthodontic treatment, it can be daunting to figure out what treatment is best for your situation. That is why our Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentists are here to help!
Keep reading to get some facts on some of the most popular orthodontic options available!
Traditional Braces
What it is: using metal brackets and wires, our dental team applies torque and pressure to your teeth in order to move them into better alignment.
What it can do: conventional braces are a tried and true dental solution for a reason. This treatment can straighten crooked teeth, close gaps in your smile, improve your bite, and widen your smile.
How long does it take: generally, it takes about 18 to 24 months for people to see full results.
Six Month Smiles
What it is: this treatment focuses on the teeth that are most visible when you smile. Our team straighten and perfects these teeth using metal brackets and wires, so that your smile looks better proportioned and aligned.
What it can do: Six Month Smiles is really designed to improve dental aesthetics and minor overbites/underbites. This treatment is not used to achieve major structural dental changes.
How long does it take: as the name suggests, the average treatment time is around 6 to 9 months.
Invisalign
What it is: rather than moving teeth with metal brackets and wires, Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners to shift your teeth. During the treatment process, you will actually wear a series of aligners, switching to a new aligner every two weeks or so.
What it can do: Invisalign is appropriate for many dental patients who want to improve dental aesthetics and structure.
How long does it take: the average Invisalign treatment duration is about 18 months; your exact timeline will depend on the state of your smile and the results you want to achieve.
If you want to learn more about all of your orthodontic options, our Manhattan Beach cosmetic dentists are here to help. We look forward to speaking with you!
Were you born with a picture-perfect smile? Most people have something they would like to change about the appearance of their teeth. Maybe they dislike the uneven gaps or spaces between teeth. Often a chipped or broken tooth can cause someone to try to hide their smile. One of the most common concerns we hear about is the brightness of their smile.
We Take Your Unique Needs Into Account
We know that not every patient who comes to our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office is the same. The treatment we recommend to address cosmetic dental concerns needs to be matched to the individual patient and their needs and desires. Fortunately, we offer a variety of cosmetic treatments, which allows us to work with you to determine which one is most appropriate in your specific case.
Finding the Right Treatment
Probably the complaint we hear most frequently from our patients is that the youthful brightness of their smile has faded, leaving their teeth looking dull or stained. This change can be the result of any number of issues. Consuming discoloring foods or drinks, such as wine, cola, coffee, and tea is the main culprit. However, structural changes in the tooth can also cause teeth to look darker. Over time the surface enamel of your teeth can thin, allowing more of the underlying yellowish dentin to show through.
Patients suffering from dental staining can benefit greatly from professional teeth whitening treatments. These treatments bleach dental enamel, lighten stains, and refresh the appearance of teeth. If teeth whitening treatments are not successful for you, you may find that porcelain veneers are effective. Our beautiful, natural-looking veneers completely cover the surface of a tooth to mask even severely stained teeth that resist whitening.
Another common complaint from patients is that their teeth are crooked, misaligned, or uneven. Porcelain veneers can also give the appearance of a straight, seamless smile, and we can place your new veneers in only two appointments. Our veneers are expertly shaped and shaded by our dentist to fit your smile, so they are sure to look natural and enhance your overall appearance.
Please Contact Our Office for More Information
Thanks to advances in cosmetic dentistry, there are solutions for common dental problems that are easily attainable. If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile, contact our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office. We will be happy to consult with you so that we can provide treatment options and help you decide which is best for you.
We all know it is a simple fact of life that age impacts our bodies and health in various ways. But many patients at our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office are surprised at the effects that aging has on their teeth. There is no way around the fact that your teeth will become darker and more yellow as you age.
Aging and Tooth Whiteness
A common cause of teeth discoloration is dental staining. This can be a result of the foods you eat, drinks you consume, and tobacco use. Beverages like coffee, tea, and cola can darken and stain teeth over time. Dark berries and chocolate may also cause discoloration. However, tobacco use is a primary contributor to cosmetic dental problems.
As if this isn’t enough, natural changes to tooth enamel as we age can make teeth appear dark and dull. As children our teeth are naturally white and bright. Underneath this pristine white tooth enamel is a yellowish layer called dentin.
When you are young, the dental enamel is strong and completely masks the dentin. But as we age this enamel just naturally wears with age. Not only does it become thinner but it also becomes more porous. The porous nature of the enamel begins to attract microscopic food particles. On top of that the thinning of the enamel makes the yellow dentin underneath more noticeable.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Even if you are diligent about taking care of your teeth, you will likely experience these changes since they are just a by-product of the aging process. But this does not mean that you are destined to go through life with a smile that gets duller and more yellow with age. The Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist offers effective cosmetic treatments that will whiten dental enamel quickly and easily.
Teeth whitening is painless, and patients see results after only one or two sessions. If you have dental stains that are resistant to traditional whitening methods you may benefit from dental Lumineers. Lumineers are thin layers of porcelain that are placed directly over dental enamel. Consequently, they can give patients the white teeth they want regardless of the cosmetic problem.
You don’t have to live with a smile that is less than dazzling even though some tooth discoloration is natural. If you’re concerned about the impact the aging process is having on your smile, contact our dentist for a free consultation. We will be happy to work with you to find the cosmetic treatment that is best for you.
Invisalign clear orthodontics is a great alternative to traditional braces. The Manhattan Beach, CA Cosmetic Dentist uses Invisalign clear removable aligners instead of metal and wire used in traditional braces. Invisalign clear braces offer a more comfortable and virtually invisible method for gently straightening your teeth.
How Do Invisalign Clear Braces Work?
We start by taking impressions of your mouth so that we can create a clear BPA-free plastic aligner. This aligner is designed to fit your teeth like a mouth guard. Unlike a mouth guard, however, the Invisalign aligner is designed to gently move your teeth into the proper position.
Approximately every two weeks you remove the current aligner and move to the next set that has been carefully crafted to shift your teeth gently to the next stage in the straightening process. You will make visits to our cosmetic dentist office about every six weeks so we can check on your progress.
But the beauty of Invisalign is that you will see the improvement every time you step up to a new set of aligners. It usually takes about a year for Invisalign aligners to gradually shift your teeth to achieve a straight and beautiful smile.
Invisalign aligners correct nearly any adjustment issue you may have with your teeth. The Manhattan Beach, CA Cosmetic Dentist is an approved Invisalign provider, and patients choose the system to correct issues like the following:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbites/Underbites
- Overcrowding
- Spaces/gaps in teeth
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign?
Discreet: Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible. The casual observer will not notice any difference when you’re wearing your aligner.
Removable: You can remove your aligners when you eat, brush your teeth, or any other time that is necessary.
Comfortable: Since Invisalign aligners are made of a soft, flexible material, they are much less likely to create any irritation to your mouth.
The Invisalign system is a perfect choice to fit into your busy lifestyle while providing the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always dreamed of.
If you have ever looked in the mirror, and found some problems with the smile that you saw reflected there, you are not alone. Many dental patients come to see our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist because they want to address esthetic problems with their smiles. The good news is that our dental team provides the high-quality, effective cosmetic treatment that these patients need in order to love their smiles again.
Here are just a few examples of the types of cosmetic problems we can address:
Straighten Teeth
If you suffer from misaligned (crooked/crowded) teeth, our dental team will help you straighten and perfect your smile. You can move your natural teeth into better positions using Invisalign orthodontic treatment. Or, you could cover your misaligned teeth with customized porcelain veneers, which will effectively resurface the contours of your smile.
Whiten Teeth
Now, let’s say that you have developed some dental staining and discoloration (a very common occurrence!). Again, you can improve the appearance of your natural enamel by using professional teeth whitening treatments. If, however, these treatments are not effective on your type of dental discoloration, you can cover dull/discolored teeth with porcelain veneers. If you simply need to lighten one or two teeth, you might benefit from dental bonding (which involves our dentist applying dental resin over your tooth).
Replace Teeth
Patients suffering from tooth loss can reclaim strong, healthy, and complete smiles by undergoing dental implant treatment. Every dental implant has a titanium root, which replaces the natural tooth root. The titanium root grounds the replacement tooth in the patient’s jawbone; our dentist then caps the titanium root with an abutment and customized dental restoration.
These are just some of the things that our dental team can accomplish using state-of-the-art dental technology. To learn more, please feel free to call our Manhattan Beach Cosmetic Dentist office.
