Cosmetic Dentistry
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Beautiful Smiles Dental
Zaihly Azar Santana, DDS
Dentist located in San Diego, National City, CA
Who wants a great-looking smile? Everyone, that’s who! And at Beautiful Smiles Dental, Dr. Zaihly Azar can help you achieve that goal, using state-of-the-art treatments to develop custom solutions based specifically on your needs and your goals. As a leading cosmetic dentist in San Diego, Dr. Azar is skilled in addressing single issues as well as performing more complex “smile makeovers” designed to address multiple issues for a truly beautiful result. Why not take the first step toward the great-looking smile you’ve been dreaming of? Contact the office and schedule a consultation today to learn about all your options.
Cosmetic Dentistry Q & A
What are cosmetic dentistry procedures?
Cosmetic dentistry includes all the treatments designed to help improve the way your teeth and smile look. Some people may have a single issue they want to have addressed to improve the appearance of their teeth and smiles, while others may have several problems they want to have corrected. One of the benefits of cosmetic dentistry is that because there are so many possible treatment options available, each patient can have a complete treatment that’s customized specifically for their needs and their treatment objectives. Some of the most common cosmetic procedures include:
Teeth whitening
Dental veneers
Tooth-colored fillings (sometimes called white fillings)
Crowns
Inlays and onlays
Dentures
Bridges
Dental implants
Gum contouring
Some of these procedures, like veneers and whitening, are purely cosmetic, while others are also restorative. Multiple treatments can be combined into a complete smile makeover.
What are tooth-colored fillings?
Tooth-colored fillings are fillings made of a special composite resin that can be tinted and shaped to match the rest of the tooth so the restoration essentially becomes invisible, leaving you with a beautiful, healthy-looking smile. Many patients prefer resin fillings because they don’t turn dark like metal fillings, and they also don’t contain any mercury.
What are inlays and onlays?
Inlays and onlays are restorations used to treat large cavities, usually ones too large to be adequately treated with a filling, but too small to need an entire crown. Inlays and onlays are made in a lab just like a crown so they fit perfectly and restore the natural, healthy look of the tooth.
Can cosmetic treatments improve my oral health?
Some cosmetic treatments can improve your oral health in addition to improving the way your smile looks. For instance, crowns can protect and strengthen teeth, preventing further damage to the tooth, and Invisalign prevents decay by eliminating odd nooks, crannies, and angles that can make it easier for bacteria to grow. Likewise, tooth-colored fillings and porcelain onlays and inlays help prevent further decay and damage without using any potentially unhealthy mercury.
Will the cost of a cosmetic treatment be covered by my dental insurance?
That depends on the procedure, among other factors. Purely cosmetic procedures like whitening and veneers are not covered by dental insurance, while procedures that also provide a restorative benefit may be covered, at least partially. Our staff will review your benefits and your procedures to determine if your insurance provides any coverage. They can also help you identify financing options to help make the cost of your care “fit” your budget.
