Veneers, whitening, bonding, and clear aligners planned by Dr. Andy Keith at our Hillcrest office on Fourth Avenue.
Cosmetic Dentist in San Diego, CA
Custom Smile Design
Same-Day Consults
A cosmetic dentist changes how your teeth look, including their color, shape, length, spacing, and alignment. At our Hillcrest office that usually means porcelain veneers, professional teeth whitening, dental bonding, or clear aligners, either on their own or combined into a smile makeover when several things need attention.
Dr. Andy Keith sees cosmetic patients from across San Diego at Sunrise Dental Arts. Before he suggests anything, he asks what bothers you about your smile, checks that your teeth and gums are healthy, and explains which of our cosmetic procedures can realistically fix it, what each one involves, and what it costs.
Request Appointment
What Does Cosmetic Dentistry Include?
Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments chosen mainly for appearance, though several of them also repair damage. These are the four our patients ask about most.
- Porcelain veneers cover chips, worn edges, small gaps, and stains that whitening cannot reach.
- Professional teeth whitening lightens natural enamel that has yellowed from coffee, tea, wine, or age.
- Dental bonding reshapes a tooth or fills a small chip or gap with tooth-colored resin, usually in one visit.
- Clear aligners straighten crowded or spaced teeth with removable trays instead of brackets and wires.
If a dark metal filling is what bothers you, tooth-colored fillings can replace it. A tooth that is cracked or heavily worn may need a porcelain crown rather than a purely cosmetic fix.
When Veneers Make Sense
Veneers suit people who want to change several things at once across the front teeth, such as color, shape, and small gaps. A thin layer of enamel is removed so each veneer sits flush, which makes the change permanent, so we only recommend them after talking through less invasive options.
Each veneer is made by a dental lab from impressions of your teeth and the shade you choose with Dr. Keith. Most patients need a few visits from planning to final bonding.
When Whitening Is Enough
If your teeth are well shaped but darker than you would like, whitening is usually the first thing to try. It is the least invasive option, and it often settles whether you need anything more.
Whitening only changes natural enamel. Crowns, veneers, bonding, and fillings keep their original color, so if you plan to have any of those, we usually whiten first and then match the new work to your lighter shade.
How Dr. Keith Matches the Treatment to the Problem
Most cosmetic concerns have more than one possible fix, and the right one depends on the tooth underneath. A chipped front tooth might take a single bonding visit, while the same chip on a tooth that is also dark and worn may be better covered with a veneer or crown.
At your consultation, Dr. Keith examines your teeth, gums, and bite, asks what you want to change, and lays out the options side by side, including the cost, how long each one tends to last, and whether it removes any enamel. The American Dental Association lists whitening, crowns, veneers, bonding, and aligners among the main ways to improve a smile, and it advises talking with your dentist before you start whitening.
Fitting Treatment Around Your Schedule
Whitening and bonding can often be finished in one or two visits. Veneers and aligners take longer, so if you have a wedding, a new job, or a trip coming up, tell us the date and we will plan backward from it.
Our office is open Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Same-day consultations are often available.
Meet the Team
Dr. Andy Keith’s approach starts with getting to know you, including your concerns, your preferences, and what you want from your smile. As your dedicated Hillcrest dentist, he and our support staff work together to keep each visit comfortable and on schedule, from check-in to follow-up.
We hire people for their clinical skill and for how they treat patients. Ongoing training in dental techniques and patient care keeps our team current as dentistry changes.
Services
Our Sunrise Dental Arts Care Process
- Initial Consultation
- Customized Treatment Plan
- Implementation of Treatment
- Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
- Follow-Up
Initial Consultation
We start by asking what you would like to change about your smile. Dr. Keith then examines your teeth, gums, and bite and reviews your dental and medical history, because cosmetic work only holds up on a healthy foundation.
Customized Treatment Plan
You receive a plan that lists each recommended treatment, the order it happens in, the number of visits, and the cost. If whitening is part of the plan, it usually comes first so any bonding, veneers, or crowns can be matched to your new shade.
Implementation of Treatment
We complete the treatments in the order we agreed on. Local anesthetic is used when a tooth needs preparation, and nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation is available if dental visits make you anxious.
Aftercare & Maintenance Tips
After each treatment you get care instructions written for it, such as which foods and drinks to limit after whitening or how to protect bonding and veneers from hard foods and grinding. Call us with any questions while you adjust.
Follow-Up
At your regular checkups we polish and inspect cosmetic work, look for chips or wear at the edges, and touch up bonding or whitening when needed so your results last as long as they can.
Testimonials
What Should You Expect at Your First Cosmetic Consultation?
Your first visit is mostly about listening. We will look at your smile, ask about your goals, and review your dental history so we can rule out any underlying issues before recommending purely cosmetic work.
If you have gum disease, cavities, or other concerns, we address those first, because a healthy foundation is what makes cosmetic results last. Once your mouth is healthy, we move forward with a treatment plan built specifically around your face, your bite, and the look you are going for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry
What is the difference between cosmetic and general dentistry?
General dentistry focuses on keeping your teeth and gums healthy through exams, cleanings, fillings, and other preventive care. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on how your smile looks, using treatments like porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, and cosmetic bonding to improve the color, shape, and alignment of your teeth. Many cosmetic treatments also protect or strengthen your teeth, and we always make sure your mouth is healthy before any cosmetic work begins.
Which cosmetic treatment is right for me?
That depends on what you want to change. Whitening works well for stains, bonding can repair small chips or gaps in a single visit, veneers can correct several concerns at once, and clear aligners straighten teeth without metal braces. During your consultation, we examine your teeth, gums, and bite and explain what each option can realistically achieve, so you can choose with confidence.
Does cosmetic dentistry hurt?
Most cosmetic treatments are very comfortable. Whitening and bonding usually need little or no numbing, and veneer preparation is done with local anesthetic. If you feel nervous about dental visits, we offer sedation options such as nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to help you relax.
How long do cosmetic dental results last?
It depends on the treatment and on how well you care for your smile. Porcelain veneers are a long-term solution, bonding usually needs touch-ups sooner, and whitening results fade gradually with coffee, red wine, and other staining habits. Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups at our Hillcrest office help your results last as long as possible.
Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?
Dental insurance usually does not cover treatments that are purely cosmetic, although procedures that also restore function, such as crowns, may qualify for partial coverage. Our team will review your benefits with you before treatment starts. We also work with financing companies such as Cherry and CareCredit to help fit your care into your budget.
How many visits does cosmetic treatment take?
Some treatments are quick. In-office whitening is completed in a single visit, and cosmetic bonding usually takes one appointment. Porcelain veneers take a few visits because each one is custom made by a dental lab. We give you a clear timeline at your consultation so you can plan around work, travel, and special events.
Book a Cosmetic Consultation in Hillcrest
Dr. Andy Keith and our team will look at your smile, explain what veneers, whitening, bonding, or aligners can and cannot change, and give you a clear plan and cost before anything starts. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit for cosmetic work that insurance does not cover.
Contact our office or call (619) 291-2980 to schedule your cosmetic consultation. Along with Hillcrest, we see cosmetic patients from North Park, Normal Heights, Bankers Hill, Golden Hill, and South Park.
Request Appointment
