Cosmetic Dentistry in Beverly Hills

Treatments in a Smile Makeover

Every plan is different, and many include only two or three of these. Here is what each treatment is best at:

• KöR whitening. Brightens your natural teeth, including deep, long-standing stains. A good choice when color is the main concern and your teeth are otherwise in good shape.
• Porcelain veneers. Thin ceramic shells that change the color, shape and length of front teeth. Used to cover chips, gaps, worn edges and stains that whitening cannot lift.
• Composite veneers and Lumineers. More conservative veneer options that remove little or no enamel. Well suited to smaller changes, such as closing gaps or lengthening short teeth.
• Bonding. Tooth-colored resin added in a single visit to repair a small chip, close a minor gap or reshape an edge.
• Invisalign. Clear aligners that move crowded, spaced or crooked teeth into better positions, often reducing how much other work you need.
• White fillings. Tooth-colored composite fillings that treat cavities or replace older metal fillings so they blend in.
• Crowns. Cover a whole tooth that is cracked, heavily filled or badly discolored, restoring both strength and appearance.
• Dental implants. Replace a missing tooth with a post in the jaw and a natural-looking crown, so there is no gap in your smile.
• Gum contouring. Reshapes an uneven or high gum line so your teeth look better proportioned.
• Cosmetic injectables. Dental Botox can relax overworked jaw muscles that wear down teeth, and lip filler can add balance around a new smile.

Why the Order of Treatment Matters

A smile makeover works best when each step sets up the next. In most plans we straighten first, whiten second and match restorations last.

Straightening comes first because moving teeth into better positions can mean less reshaping for veneers or bonding later, and sometimes no veneers at all. Whitening comes next because porcelain, composite and crowns do not change color with bleaching. Once your natural teeth reach the shade you want, we match new veneers, crowns and fillings to it, so everything blends. Doing it the other way around can leave you with restorations that look darker than the teeth around them.

Not every plan needs every step, and we will explain why your plan is ordered the way it is.

Designing a Smile That Looks Like You

The goal is not the whitest or most uniform smile possible. It is a smile that fits your face. During your smile assessment we look at your facial features, how much of your teeth and gums show when you smile, the line of your lips, the height and symmetry of your gum line and your skin tone.

We take photos and a digital scan, then plan the shape, length and shade of each tooth. Where possible, we show you a digital preview of the planned result before any treatment begins, so you can ask questions, request changes and approve a design you are excited about. Natural teeth have slight variations in shape and translucency, and keeping some of that character is a big part of why good cosmetic work does not look obvious.

Is a Smile Makeover Right for You?

A makeover may suit you if you have several cosmetic concerns, such as stains, chips, gaps, worn edges, crooked teeth or older fillings and crowns that no longer match. It is also a good option if you have been putting off changes one tooth at a time and would like a clear plan for the whole smile.

Healthy foundations come first. Before cosmetic work, we look for and treat:

• Tooth decay, which needs to be repaired before teeth are whitened or covered
• Gum disease, since healthy gums are needed for restorations to fit and look right
• Grinding or clenching, which can chip and wear veneers and natural teeth if it is not managed

Taking care of these first protects your investment of time and helps your results last.

Your Cosmetic Dentists

Two dentists at our Beverly Hills office plan cosmetic care. Dr. Caroline Malakuti is a cosmetic and restorative dentist who designs veneers and complete smile makeovers and also places dental implants, which makes her a natural fit for plans that combine cosmetic and restorative work. Dr. Helene Julius completed a cosmetic dentistry internship at USC's Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry and helps patients brighten and straighten their smiles with KöR whitening, porcelain veneers and Invisalign.

Depending on your goals, one dentist may lead your plan or both may be involved, so each part of your treatment is in experienced hands.

Keeping Your New Smile

Good results last longest with good habits. Brush twice a day, floss daily and keep your regular cleanings and exams so we can catch small problems early and polish your restorations. If you grind or clench, wear a custom night guard to protect both your natural teeth and your veneers or crowns. Whitening fades gradually with coffee, tea and red wine, so occasional touch-up whitening with your trays helps keep your natural teeth matched to your restorations.