Compare whitening, bonding, veneers, and other cosmetic options before you commit. Our Hillcrest office is a short drive from Adams Avenue.
Cosmetic Dentist in Normal Heights, San Diego
Personalized Treatment Plans
Flexible Scheduling
Choosing a cosmetic treatment gets easier once you know how the options differ. Some are quick and reversible, others last longer but are permanent, and each one fits a different kind of problem. Dr. Andy Keith and our team at Sunrise Dental Arts walk Normal Heights patients through those tradeoffs before recommending anything. This page lays out the main differences, and our overview of cosmetic dentistry in San Diego covers every service we offer.
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Questions That Narrow Down Your Options
Three questions usually point to the right treatment. What exactly do you want to change: color, shape, spacing, or position? How much of your natural tooth are you willing to alter? And how long should the result last before it needs upkeep? Your answers, along with what we see at your exam, shape the recommendation.
Normal Heights is northeast of our office, and the drive from the Adams Avenue corridor into Hillcrest is a short one. For cleanings, general care, and more about our practice, see our Normal Heights dentist page.
Comparing Your Cosmetic Options
What to Weigh Before You Decide
Reversibility
Whitening and bonding leave room to change course later. Veneers and crowns are permanent commitments because enamel is removed to fit them. If you are unsure, starting with a reversible option is often reasonable.
Number of Visits
Whitening and bonding can often be done in one visit. Veneers and crowns usually need two appointments, with temporaries while the lab makes the final pieces. Aligners involve check-ins every few weeks over several months.
Upkeep Over Time
Whitening fades gradually and may need touch-ups. Bonding can pick up stains and may need polishing or repair. Porcelain holds its color well but can chip, so a night guard may be recommended if you grind your teeth.
Cost and Coverage
Cost depends on how many teeth are involved and which materials are used, and most insurance plans treat purely cosmetic work as elective. We give you a written estimate before treatment and check whether any part of your plan is covered.
Combining Treatments
Many smiles benefit from more than one approach, such as aligners followed by whitening, or whitening followed by bonding. A smile makeover puts these steps in a planned order so each result supports the next.
From Adams Avenue to Our Hillcrest Office
Our office sits at 3645 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest, southwest of Normal Heights. Most patients head west from the Adams Avenue area through University Heights, and the drive is usually short, depending on traffic.
We see patients Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If dental visits make you nervous, ask about nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation when you book.
Find the Right Cosmetic Option Near Normal Heights
You don’t need to know which treatment you want before you call. Bring your questions, and we will compare the options for your teeth at Sunrise Dental Arts, with photos and a clear estimate in hand.
Call (619) 291-2980 or request a consultation online. We are in-network with Delta Dental and can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and Cherry and CareCredit financing is available for treatment that insurance does not cover.
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FAQs
How do I get to your office from Normal Heights?
Our office is at 3645 Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest. From Normal Heights, most patients drive west from the Adams Avenue area through University Heights and into Hillcrest. It is a short trip for most of the neighborhood, depending on traffic.
Is bonding or a veneer better for a chipped front tooth?
For a small chip, bonding is often the simpler choice because it can be done in one visit with little or no removal of tooth structure. A veneer may make more sense if the tooth is also discolored or misshapen, or if neighboring teeth are getting veneers too. We will walk you through both at your exam.
Can I whiten my teeth if I already have crowns or veneers?
Yes, but whitening only lightens natural enamel. Crowns, veneers, and bonding keep their original shade, so whitening can leave them looking darker than the teeth around them. We will check whether any dental work would need replacing to match before you whiten.
Which cosmetic treatments can be undone?
Whitening simply fades over time, and bonding can usually be removed or replaced without harming the tooth underneath. Veneers and crowns are not reversible because enamel is reshaped to fit them, so a tooth that has one will always need a covering.
Do you offer financing for cosmetic treatment?
Yes. We offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, which lets you spread the cost of treatment into monthly payments. We are also in-network with Delta Dental, can bill most other PPO plans out-of-network, and can check whether any part of your treatment is covered.
