Cosmetic Treatments

 

Smile Evaluations


There are two steps to our Smile and Beauty Evaluations Process. During the first step, Dr. Rai will physically examine your gums, teeth, and bite. Both of you will talk about the condition of your teeth and address any dental problems that are present. Dr. Rai will then carefully analyze your facil symmetry and bone structure to customize and craft a winning smile, just for you. 

After your Smile and Beauty Evaluation, Dr. Rai will create a personalized treatment plan, specially developed to improve the health and appearance of your teeth, compliment your features, and enhance your overall image.

Teeth Whitening


Your smile is the way you greet the world. While you have many options for whitening your teeth, your dental professional is the best resource for whitening treatments. Only dental professionals have access to the most powerful, professional-strength whitening and can ensure your treatment is safe and your results are outstanding.

Zoom is the number one patient requested professional teeth whitening brand. It offers a full range of “in the office” or “take home” whitening treatments based on your needs and your lifestyle. Professional teeth whitening with Philips Zoom is safe, pain-free, affordable and used by over 10 million people.

Benefits of Zoom Whitening

  • Philips Zoom professional whitening is a fast, effective and safe way to whiten your teeth. Your dental professional will either apply the treatment for you, or fit you with a customized trays so you can do the treatment at home.
  • Results from professional treatments can be immediate (up to 8 shades whiter in 45 minutes), and because a dental professional is involved, the process is safe, reliable and hassle free.

Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers


Deciding that porcelain veneers will create the look you want is only one step in the process. There is much more to learn before proceeding further.

Minimal Prep or “No-Prep” Veneers

Some patients are looking for an alternative to traditional dental veneers or bonding, but be aware that this treatment option is not appropriate for everyone.

Just as with porcelain veneers, “no-prep” or minimal preparation veneers— so called because they typically don’t require the dentist to remove as much tooth material—are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Often, the placement of no-prep veneers can be done more quickly and with less discomfort than traditional veneers.

Dr. Rai will let you know if you are a good candidate for minimal preparation or “no-prep” veneers and if this option makes a sensible treatment plan.

Benefits of Veneers

Since veneers are individually sculpted for each patient, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Unlike natural teeth, custom-made veneers resist coffee and tea stains, and cigarette smoke because they are made of high-tech materials. With veneers—as opposed to crowns—your natural teeth remain largely intact with only a minimal amount being altered to fit the veneer.

For teeth that resist whitening, veneers can make even the darkest teeth appear bright white.

Replace Metal Fillings with Tooth Colored Fillings


One of the biggest controversy in dentistry today deals with the choice of using an amalgam (silver) or a white filling for cavities.

Over the past few years the popularity of white filling materials have increased tremendously. The white filling material is a composite material is composed of an oligomer with an inorganic filler such as silicon dioxide. It is tooth colored so it blends in with your tooth and it can also be used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth. The newer composites also come in more shades and therefore they can be better blended in with the existing tooth.

While the FDA maintains that amalgam fillings are within current safety limits, there is still a major controversy about the safety of the toxic metals used to make up the amalgam.

Crowns & Bridges


Crowns & Bridges 

Dental porcelain can be sculpted to closely replicate the look of natural tooth enamel, while providing desirable strength and resilience. Porcelain crowns are an excellent choice when recreating the form and function of a damaged tooth, because a crown basically replaces the entire external portion of the tooth down to the gum level. Crowns are not limited to simply replacing the original tooth, but can be designed to create an even better esthetic appearance.

Cosmetic Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations that can be used to help an otherwise healthy tooth with a large filling. Inlays are placed within the grooves between the cusps (points) of a tooth, whereas onlays are placed within the grooves and over the cusp tips. Your AACD member dentist can help determine which restoration is better for you. Inlays and onlays can be used to replace old filings, and are more esthetically pleasing because they can be made to match a tooth’s natural color. Aside from improving a tooth’s appearance, inlays and onlays can strengthen the structure of a tooth because of their durability and longevity.

Crown Consultation

Crowns can be selected for necessity or cosmetic reasons. No matter what the case, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your AACD dental professional. The dentist will examine your teeth and in some cases will immediately see that a crown is the best option. In other situations where the problems aren’t so obvious, you may need to express your concerns and discuss your future smile goals so both you and your dentist have all the facts.

The Hows and Whys of Porcelain Crowns

Crowns are the treatment of choice in situations where tooth decay has destroyed most of the original tooth, when a traumatic event has caused damage, or in cases of severe enamel erosion. They are also an option for people who grind and clench their teeth so much that the original structure of their teeth has been compromised.

 When patients select a porcelain veneer for cosmetic reasons, they’re usually covering up the front portion of the tooth that has some esthetic flaw. A porcelain crown is thicker than a veneer and, in some situations, this thickness is needed. 

Porcelain Bridge

A porcelain fixed bridge is very useful when replacing a tooth or a couple of teeth that are no longer viable. The porcelain can be sculpted to replicate the look of natural tooth enamel and using this durable material gives your bridge a strong base to rely upon.

Porcelain is so flexible in its design capabilities that it can be used not only to replace lost teeth, but also to improve the original appearance of those teeth and create a flawless replacement.

Dentures


Partial Dentures

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For many years, partial dentures have been used to replace groups of teeth or a few teeth scattered across the lower or upper jaw. There are a variety of removable partial dentures available to patients and each one comes with its own set of benefits and disadvantages. All partial dentures attach to remaining teeth and have a gum–colored portion meant to blend into the existing gum, with prosthetic teeth to replace the missing teeth.

Full Dentures

Full dentures are similar to partial dentures in that they are prosthetic teeth and gums used to replace missing teeth. The main difference between full and partial dentures is that full dentures are a total replacement system for either upper or lower teeth and, in some cases, both.

Overdentures

Overdentures are a newer alternative to dentures, combining traditional denture technology with modern advancements in dental implants. By establishing two implanted attachments to the lower jaw, an overdenture is able to sit securely in place to instantly increase retention, stability, and comfort. This is especially important in lower-jaw full-denture situations where traditional dentures tend to have less adhesion due to a limited foundation and the tongue muscle dislodging the prosthetic teeth.

Another benefit of overdentures compared to traditional dentures is the limited amount of bone loss where the implants are placed, making the procedure more successful in the long run and helping to preserve facial structural integrity.

Overall, when considering full dentures for the lower jaw, an overdenture should be discussed with Dr. Rai as he can provide the most effective, satisfying, and longest-lasting alternative. Traditional full and partial denture options should be explored, weighing their benefits and pitfalls carefully to find the right dentures for your tooth loss.

Dr. Rai and his staff provide gentle and professional care every time I visit. I have been a patient at Santa Barbara Dental Spa for 3 years. The office is very clean and inviting. I love my hygenist, she is always extremely gentle and provides a pleasant atmosphere that takes the edge off of being at the dentist. Dr. Rai has filled a few cavities for me and has done excellent work everytime, and is always very polite and friendly. I have always felt safe and cared for during eacy and every one of my procedures here. Easy location and parking too, which is a plus in Santa Barbara!
Stephanie M. - Atascadero, CA

News

Sleep More Soundly Tonight

By BK Rai in Dental Education

Think you might be experiencing sleep apnea but aren’t sure? To help you start figuring out what may be going on with your sleep, you can take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Sleep Apnea Assessment below.

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3 Dental Treatments That Can Transform Your Smile

3 Dental Treatments That Can Transform Your Smile
By BK Rai in Santa Barbara Dental News, Dental Education

Behind every dull, tired smirk is a smile waiting to beam. Your dentist loves helping patients unlock the smile of their dreams and offering them the latest and greatest in cosmetic dentistry.

Here are three of the best treatments to get if you’re looking to transform your smile.

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We Are Open And Taking Appointments!

By BK Rai in Important Announcements

Due to COVID 19 we have had to make changes in our schedule. Hygiene days are now Wednesdays and Thursdays. For the meantime, any appointment made for routine care will have to be kept and we will handle cancelations on a case by case basis. A fee will be applied to appointments canceled with less than 48 hours notice. Please contact our office about this policy if you have any questions.


  • All patients will be prescreened before appointment.

  • Call/Text upon arrival, we will meet you at the door when it is ok for you to come in.

  • Shoes will be sanitized at the door.

  • Wear a mask at all times unless advised otherwise.

  • Oxygen levels and/or temperature will be taken upon arrival. 

  • We have designated "Sanitation Stations" throughout the office to be used freely.

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