Summer Smile Dental · South Gate, CA 90280

Cosmetic Dentist in South Gate, CA

Stained, chipped, crooked or gapped teeth can make you hide your smile in photos and conversations. At Summer Smile Dental, Dr. Dona Torbati and Dr. Shaila Torbati offer teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, Invisalign and natural-looking crowns in one South Gate office. We start by listening to what bothers you, then show you the options that fit your teeth and your budget.

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What Would You Like to Change About Your Smile?

Most people come to a cosmetic dentist with one thing that bothers them. Find yours below to see which treatment usually fixes it.

My teeth are yellow or stained

Coffee, tea, soda and age all darken teeth over time. Professional whitening lifts those stains far more than store-bought strips, and we protect your gums while we do it.

I have chips, gaps or worn edges

Small chips and gaps can often be repaired in one visit with tooth-colored bonding. For a bigger change across several front teeth, porcelain veneers give a longer-lasting result.

My teeth are crooked or crowded

Invisalign clear aligners straighten teeth without metal brackets, and you take them out to eat and brush. For more complex cases we also offer braces for teens and adults.

One tooth is broken or misshapen

A porcelain crown covers the whole tooth and is matched to the color of the teeth beside it. With our in-office CEREC system, many crowns are made and placed the same day.

I have dark metal fillings

Old silver fillings can show when you laugh. Tooth-colored composite fillings blend in with your natural tooth, and they are also what we use for new cavities.

I am missing a front tooth

A gap in your smile is a cosmetic problem and a health one, because nearby teeth start to drift. A dental implant or bridge fills the space with a tooth that looks natural.

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments We Offer in South Gate

Each treatment suits a different problem, takes a different number of visits and lasts a different length of time. The figures below are typical ranges. Yours depends on your teeth and how you care for them.

Professional teeth whitening

Best for: yellowing and surface stains on natural teeth. Visits: usually one. Lasts: several months to a few years, depending on coffee, tea, wine and tobacco. Whitening does not change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings, so we plan around any you already have.

Dental bonding

Best for: small chips, narrow gaps and uneven edges. Visits: usually one, with little or no drilling. Lasts: around 3 to 10 years. Bonding costs less than veneers but stains and chips more easily.

Porcelain and composite veneers

Best for: front teeth that are discolored, chipped, worn or slightly uneven. Visits: two to three for porcelain. Lasts: often 10 to 15 years for porcelain with good care. A thin layer of enamel is usually removed first, so porcelain veneers are a permanent decision. We make sure you understand that before you choose them.

Invisalign clear aligners

Best for: crooked, crowded or gapped teeth in teens and adults. Visits: a short check every several weeks. Lasts: treatment often takes 6 to 18 months, and a retainer keeps the result. If aligners are not the right tool for your bite, we will talk about braces instead.

Porcelain crowns

Best for: a tooth that is broken, badly shaped or heavily filled. Visits: two, or one with a same-day crown. Lasts: commonly 10 to 15 years or longer.

Tooth-colored fillings

Best for: new cavities and replacing dark metal fillings that show. Visits: one. Lasts: many years with regular checkups.

How We Plan Your Smile Makeover

1. You tell us your goal

Bring a photo if it helps. We ask what you like, what you do not, and whether there is a date you are working toward.

2. We check your teeth and gums

An exam and X-rays show whether there are cavities or gum problems. Those are treated first, because cosmetic work only lasts on healthy teeth.

3. You see options and prices

We lay out each option that would work, how long it lasts and what it costs, so you can compare before deciding.

4. Treatment in the right order

Straightening usually comes before whitening, and whitening before veneers or crowns, so the final colors match.

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Right for You?

Most adults with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates. A few things are worth knowing before you start:

Health comes first. Cavities, gum disease and infections need treatment before whitening or veneers.
Whitening has limits. It works on natural enamel, not on crowns, veneers or fillings, and it may not suit teeth that are very sensitive.
Porcelain veneers are permanent. Once enamel is removed, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown.
Grinding wears cosmetic work. If you clench or grind at night, a night guard protects your investment.
Teens and pregnancy. Some treatments are better delayed. We will tell you which.

If a treatment is not a good fit for you, we will say so and suggest something that is.

What Cosmetic Dentistry Costs and How to Pay

The price depends on the treatment and how many teeth are involved, so we give you an exact figure after your exam, before any work begins.

Dental insurance and Medi-Cal usually do not pay for treatment that is purely cosmetic, such as whitening or veneers. Crowns and fillings are often partly covered when the tooth needs them for health reasons. We check your plan and tell you what it will pay.

For the rest, many patients use a 0% interest CareCredit payment plan. See our insurance and payment options.

Why South Gate Patients Choose Summer Smile Dental

Two dentists you get to know. Dr. Dona Torbati and Dr. Shaila Torbati plan and carry out your cosmetic treatment and see you for checkups afterward.
Everything in one office. Whitening, veneers, Invisalign, crowns and implants are all done at 8116 California Ave, so your smile plan is not split between clinics.
Open when you are free. We are open 7 days a week, with evening and weekend appointments that fit around work and school.
English and Spanish. Our bilingual team explains every option in the language you prefer.
Close to home. Patients visit us from across South Gate and from Lynwood, Huntington Park, Cudahy, Bell, Bell Gardens, Downey and Walnut Park.

Getting ready for a wedding, quinceañera, graduation or job interview? Tell us the date when you call. Whitening can be done in a single visit, while veneers and aligners need more time, so the earlier we start the more choices you have.

Cosmetic Dentistry Questions We Hear Most

What does a cosmetic dentist do?

A cosmetic dentist improves how your teeth look: their color, shape, size, position and spacing. Common treatments are whitening, bonding, veneers, clear aligners and tooth-colored crowns and fillings. A good cosmetic plan also keeps your teeth healthy and your bite comfortable.

How much does cosmetic dentistry cost in South Gate?

It depends on the treatment and the number of teeth. Whitening and bonding cost the least, veneers and Invisalign cost more. We give you an exact price after an exam and before any work starts, and many patients spread the cost with a 0% interest CareCredit plan.

Does insurance or Medi-Cal cover cosmetic dentistry?

Usually not when the treatment is only for appearance. Crowns and fillings are often partly covered when the tooth needs them for health reasons. Bring your insurance or Medi-Cal card and we will check your benefits for you.

Is teeth whitening safe for my teeth?

Yes, when it is done or supervised by a dentist. Some people feel sensitivity for a day or two afterward. We check your teeth and gums first and adjust the treatment if your teeth are already sensitive.

What is the difference between veneers and bonding?

Bonding uses tooth-colored resin shaped directly on the tooth in one visit. It costs less but stains and chips sooner. Porcelain veneers are thin custom shells made in a lab. They take more visits and cost more, but they resist stains and usually last much longer.

Ready to Talk to a Cosmetic Dentist in South Gate?

Tell us what you would like to change. We will show you what is possible, how long it takes and what it costs.

Make an Appointment