A radiant, healthy smile communicates joy, friendship, confidence, and good health. But many of the residents who live in Monrovia are forced to hide their smiles because of embarrassing cosmetic dental conditions, and that’s entirely understandable. But cosmetic dentist Dr. Q has the professional knowledge, experience, and artistic eye needed to correct a variety of aesthetic conditions. While these treatments are primarily aimed at enhancing the appearance of your teeth, it should be said that some do improve their functionality.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
It is important that Monrovia residents seek treatment for their various cosmetic issues just as they would for cavities or to replace a missing tooth. During your consultation, cosmetic dentist Dr. Q will discuss available options and combined procedures that will reveal the true beauty of your smile.
The Consultation
As part of the consultation process, all patients will undergo a thorough oral examination at our office in the Monrovia area.
An oral exam with Dr. Q includes:
X-rays for patients who need a bridge, crown, or other restorative procedures.
Measurements and shade matching to create a smile that is natural and your own.
Discussing your expectations and the likely outcome of your procedure.
Reviewing your dental and medical history to ensure your well-being and safety.
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Dr. Q is a Monrovia dentist with over a decade of experience as a cosmetic dentist. She has a gentle touch and treats each patient with the care and consideration they need to feel comfortable and confident in her hands.
Meet Your Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Q
Hear what patients have to say about cosmetic dentist Dr. Q and their personal dental experience.
What Is the Difference Between a Cosmetic Dentist and a General Dentist?
There is some overlap between a cosmetic and a general dentist. Both are qualified to perform the same treatments, but a cosmetic dentist emphasizes the appearance of your teeth in addition to restoring function. Each procedure that Dr. Q performs is intended to keep your teeth healthy in addition to enhancing their overall appearance.
What Procedures Does a Cosmetic Dentist Perform?
A cosmetic dentist has the specialized training required to dramatically improve your smile’s appearance. Dr. Q offers a variety of cosmetic procedures at her Monrovia office. The following is a list of cosmetic procedures and what you can expect during and after treatment.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are the most effective way to replace teeth that have fallen out or require removal. Not only do they replicate the tooth’s natural appearance, but dental implants have a fabricated “root” that fastens them to the jaw. Have you ever wondered why people who have lost their teeth look like their jaws have shrunk? It is not only that they are missing teeth but because the root stimulates the jawbone to grow. Dental implants require a team of professionals, so after a specialist surgically sets the dental implant, cosmetic dentist Dr. Q creates and attaches temporary restorations to the implant, which are finally exchanged for permanent crowns. The process takes approximately 4 – 6 months from start to finish, and the results are permanent.
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Teeth Whitening
When you aren’t confident about your smile, it can inhibit your work, social life, and also interfere with your love life. One example is that of stained teeth. Although you may not consider yellowed teeth a significant problem, the condition can cause some Monrovia patients to avoid a full smile for fear of how their teeth appear to others. Furthermore, you may be unaware of how others perceive you when you are reluctant to smile. For reasons such as these, it is important for Monrovia residents to consider the relatively simple, completely non-invasive process of teeth whitening. If you are a coffee drinker or enjoy other darkly colored foods and beverages, your teeth are probably stained. Because habitual smoking has so many stigmas attached, many prior and current smokers with yellowed teeth choose to have their teeth whitened. During this simple treatment, cosmetic dentist Dr. Q will fill trays with a teeth-whitening solution and then insert them into your mouth, and it takes as little as 30 minutes to lighten the shade of your teeth.
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Dental Bridges
For Monrovia patients who have lost a tooth but are not interested in getting a dental implant, a simple, more affordable alternative is a dental bridge. Bridges are a common, noninvasive approach used by cosmetic dentist Dr. Q to replace one or two missing teeth with natural-looking, secure replicas. To begin, you will have impressions made of the teeth on either side of the missing tooth taken so that two crowns can be created; you’ll be fitted with a temporary dental bridge and crowns that will be replaced in two weeks with permanent crowns and a bridge.
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Dental Veneers
If your teeth have minor chips, are slightly uneven, stained, or worn down, you may consider dental veneers to revitalize your smile. Dental veneers are thin shells fitted onto the front of your teeth after your cosmetic dentist has removed a fine layer of enamel from their surface. Dr. Q works in conjunction with reputable laboratories that use fine-quality materials to create veneers for her Monrovia patients. After your personalized dental veneers have been made, they are then bonded to your teeth.
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BOTOX® for TMJ
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause pain and discomfort in the head, neck, and jaw. One option for managing pain is BOTOX. While commonly used in facial cosmetics as a dermal filler, it can also be beneficial in cosmetic dentistry. BOTOX relaxes the muscles around the jaw and prevents them from spasming and contracting by temporarily blocking nerve signals. This can reduce tension and pressure, alleviate pain, and improve range of motion. It begins working within a day or two and typically lasts for three to four months.
While a general dentist may also offer these procedures, cosmetic dentists are more aware of the latest and most effective treatments available to patients.
Do Cosmetic Dental Procedures Hurt?
Some procedures performed by a cosmetic dentist are minimally invasive and require only local anesthesia to numb a small area. However, some Monrovia patients get nervous during even these procedures and need a sedative to relax them. We offer a range of anesthesia options to help you with any nervousness or anxiety about your cosmetic procedure. These include:
- Sedation Dentistry: Patients take a pill that relaxes them before the procedure. While awake, many people are so calm they forget they are at the dentist.
- Nitrous oxide: Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a gas you breathe in through a mask. While this is also meant to relax you, the effects wear off within five minutes of removing the mask.
We encourage all patients to discuss any nervousness or anxiety before their procedure so that Dr. Q can accommodate their needs with the right type of anesthesia.
Schedule A Consultation With Dr. Q in Monrovia
Dr. Q has been providing high-quality dental procedures and outstanding care to the community for over a decade. Let us know how we can help by scheduling a consultation today. We look forward to meeting with you.
If your teeth could use a “makeover,” we encourage you to consider cosmetic dentistry. To schedule your consultation, call Dr. Q’s office in the Monrovia area today at (626) 599-9818.