Cosmetic Dentistry in Los Angeles
The short answer
Veneers, bonding and whitening, chosen for your teeth, not a trend.
Cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles improves how your teeth, gums and smile look while protecting their health. At Veneers & Co. Dental Group, Dr. Faraz Farahnik is a general dentist whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry. He offers porcelain veneers, bonding, whitening and complete smile makeovers. He always starts with the most conservative option that meets your goal.
- Dentist
- Faraz Farahnik, DDS
- Training
- DDS, USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
- License
- California-licensed dentist
- Patients
- Patients travel from across the country and around the world.
Cosmetic Dentistry
What does a cosmetic dentist do?
A cosmetic dentist improves how your smile looks. That includes the color, shape, size, alignment and spacing of your teeth and the way your gums frame them. Good cosmetic work also respects function, so teeth still bite, chew and wear properly after treatment.
In California, licensed dentists provide cosmetic treatment; there is no separate cosmetic license. Cosmetic dentistry is not one of the ADA-recognized dental specialties. Dr. Farahnik is a general dentist whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry. That means he also looks after the health underneath the result.
Cosmetic or restorative: what's the difference?
Restorative dentistry repairs damage, such as decay, fractures or missing teeth. Cosmetic dentistry changes appearance. In practice they overlap constantly. A crown can make a damaged tooth stronger and improve its appearance at the same time. The formal definition of dental esthetics covers how the teeth work as well as how they look.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Which cosmetic treatments are available at Veneers & Co.?
Veneers & Co. Dental Group offers the full range of cosmetic dentistry in Encino. Treatments run from a single visit's polish of your shade to a complete redesign of your smile. Each links to a page with the details, risks and steps. For outside reading, MouthHealthy, the ADA's consumer site, covers teeth whitening and other treatments.
- Porcelain veneers. Lab-made ceramic facings bonded to the front of teeth, for lasting changes to color and shape. Porcelain veneers
- Composite veneers and bonding. Tooth-colored material bonded and sculpted directly on the tooth, often with less enamel removed than porcelain. Composite veneers
- Teeth whitening. Lightens natural enamel; does not change existing crowns, fillings or veneers. Teeth whitening
- Clear aligners. Gradually move teeth into better positions. Invisalign and clear aligners
- Crowns. Caps that cover a whole tooth when it is weak, heavily filled, broken or badly discolored.
- Dental implants. Replace missing teeth; Dr. Farahnik places implants himself, with a periodontist and oral surgeons on our in-house team. Dental implants
- Smile makeovers. A coordinated plan combining several of the above. Smile makeover
Cosmetic Dentistry
What can cosmetic dentistry change?
Cosmetic dentistry can change stained, chipped, gapped, worn or crooked-looking teeth, and each concern has more than one possible answer. Dr. Farahnik helps you choose based on the cause, the health of the tooth and how lasting you want the change to be.
- Yellowed or stained teeth. Yellowing that comes with age or from coffee, tea and red wine often lightens with whitening. Discoloration caused by medication or an injury may not respond, and bonding or veneers can cover it instead.
- Chips and rough edges. Bonding can often repair small chips, and it usually takes fewer visits. A broken tooth, or several damaged edges, may be better served by veneers or crowns.
- Gaps between teeth. Bonding or veneers can mask small gaps. For larger gaps, or gaps caused by tooth position, straightening with aligners is another option.
- Short or worn teeth. Dr. Farahnik can often rebuild teeth worn down by grinding or acid. He also looks at what caused the wear, because grinding can damage new surfaces too.
- Crowded or crooked teeth. Aligners move the teeth themselves. Veneers can improve how crooked teeth look, but they don't move teeth.
- A missing tooth. Implants, bridges or removable dentures replace it; veneers can't.
- Dark or discolored old fillings. Fillings don't whiten, so Dr. Farahnik will tell you whether to replace old ones to match.
If several of these apply, a combined plan may make more sense than treating each one separately. Smile makeover
Cosmetic Dentistry
How do you choose a cosmetic dentist?
When choosing a cosmetic dentist, look for a licensed dentist who shows you real, unretouched results. They should explain alternatives and risks in plain language and give you a written plan before you agree to anything. Titles matter less than what you can verify.
Questions worth asking any practice
- Is the dentist licensed, and can I check? You can look up every California dentist's license through the Department of Consumer Affairs.
- Who will actually do my treatment? Ask who plans each step and who performs it.
- Can I see your own patients' results? Before-and-after photos should be of real patients, taken under comparable conditions, labeled with the procedure, and not retouched. California law requires this.
- What are my alternatives, including doing less? A careful dentist will name lighter options even when they cost less.
- How much of my natural tooth would change? Some treatments are reversible; others are not.
- What happens if something chips, comes loose or doesn't look right? Ask how the practice handles follow-up and repairs.
- Will I get the plan and fee in writing? You should, before treatment begins.
A note on titles in dental advertising
Because cosmetic dentistry isn't a separately recognized field, be cautious of advertising that implies a special cosmetic title without explaining what it means. Ask about training you can verify, and judge the work itself.
Cosmetic Dentistry
What happens at a cosmetic dentistry consultation?
A cosmetic dentistry consultation in Encino starts with a conversation about what you'd like to change. Next comes a health check of your teeth, gums and bite, then a discussion of options at different levels of commitment. The written plan and fee follow the exam.
Your goals, in your own words
Some people arrive with a precise picture; others only know they stopped smiling in photos. Both are fine. Dr. Farahnik will ask what you notice first when you look in the mirror. He'll also ask what you'd like to keep and how much change feels right to you.
A health check before any cosmetic plan
Cosmetic work rests on healthy teeth and gums. Active decay, gum inflammation or an unstable bite can shorten the life of any restoration, so Dr. Farahnik addresses those first. He will also note grinding or clenching and old fillings that won't match a new shade. Gum levels that affect how long your teeth look matter too.
Options laid out side by side
You'll hear what each approach can achieve, what it involves, how it ages and what it asks of your natural teeth. Then you choose, without pressure.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Is there a less invasive way to get the smile I want?
Often, yes. Before he recommends porcelain, Dr. Farahnik checks whether whitening, bonding or orthodontic movement could reach your goal. He will tell you when a lighter treatment is likely to be enough.
| Level | Typical treatments | Natural tooth changed | Can it be undone? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightest | Professional whitening, polishing | None | Nothing to undo; no tooth is removed |
| Light | Composite bonding, minor smoothing of edges | Little or none | Bonding is easier to repair or redo than porcelain |
| Moderate | Clear aligners | None (teeth move) | Nothing is removed; Dr. Farahnik explains how the result is held |
| Extensive | Porcelain veneers | Usually a thin layer of enamel | Generally no |
| Most extensive | Crowns, implants, full-mouth plans | More tooth structure, or replacement of teeth | No |
Combining levels is common in Dr. Farahnik's plans. He may suggest straightening a few teeth first when he expects that to mean fewer veneers, or thinner ones, later.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Is cosmetic dentistry safe?
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are routine dental procedures with well-understood risks. The common ones are temporary sensitivity after whitening or tooth preparation and irreversible enamel removal for veneers and crowns. Restorations also eventually need repair or replacement. Planning on a healthy foundation keeps those risks down.
Your plan will list the specific risks for your treatment, and Dr. Farahnik will answer questions before you sign anything.
Who may need to wait or choose differently
- Anyone with untreated decay or gum disease: Dr. Farahnik treats those first.
- People who grind heavily: a night guard or bite treatment may come before porcelain.
- Children and teens who still have baby teeth: pediatric guidance discourages whitening the whole smile at that stage.
- Pregnant patients: ask us before any elective whitening, and Dr. Farahnik will advise on timing.
Cost & insurance
How much does cosmetic dentistry cost?
The cost of cosmetic dentistry in Encino depends on which treatments you choose and how many teeth they involve. Dr. Farahnik works with all budgets and price ranges.
Insurance
We accept all PPO insurance plans.
Dr. Farahnik works with all budgets and price ranges.
What affects the cost?
Whitening a natural shade is a smaller undertaking than redesigning a smile in porcelain. The number of teeth, the materials, any health care needed first, and lab work all shape the fee. You'll receive a written treatment plan and fee after your exam.
Financing
Financing is subject to each lender's terms and approval.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about cosmetic dentistry in Los Angeles
Is a cosmetic dentist different from a general dentist?
Cosmetic dentistry is not one of the ADA-recognized dental specialties. Any licensed dentist may provide cosmetic treatment, so ask to see a dentist's own unretouched cases and how they plan the work.
What is the most conservative way to improve my smile?
It depends on what bothers you. Yellowing of natural teeth often responds to professional whitening. Dr. Farahnik will tell you when bonding or a small adjustment to a tooth's shape may be enough. He'll also tell you when veneers or crowns are the better route.
Do cosmetic dental treatments need maintenance?
Yes. Bonding can stain or roughen and may need polishing or repair. Veneers can chip, wear or loosen and need repair or replacement. Dr. Farahnik will plan any whitening touch-ups with you. Daily brushing and flossing, regular cleanings and a night guard if he prescribes one all help your results last.
Can cosmetic work be done if I already have crowns or fillings?
Usually, yes, but existing dental work affects the plan. Crowns and fillings won't whiten, so they may need replacing to match a new shade. Teeth with large fillings sometimes do better with crowns than veneers.
How long does cosmetic dental treatment take?
In-office whitening usually takes one visit, and at-home whitening a few days to a few weeks. Composite bonding usually needs fewer visits than porcelain veneers, which are custom made in a dental lab. Combined plans take longer, and your written plan will list your visits and timeline.
What should I ask at a cosmetic dental consultation?
Ask what the dentist recommends and why, and what the alternatives are. Ask how much natural tooth the treatment changes, what could go wrong and how they would handle it. Ask how long the result is likely to last, and ask to see unretouched photos of their own patients' results.
Can I start with a phone consultation?
Yes. A phone call is a good way to share your goals and hear which options might fit. Dr. Farahnik recommends a treatment and quotes a fee only after examining you in person.
The dentist
Who provides cosmetic dentistry at Veneers & Co.?
Dr. Faraz Farahnik provides cosmetic dentistry in Encino. He earned his DDS at USC and has practiced since 2018. Before that, he spent years on the other side of the chair as a dental assistant and office manager. Meet Dr. Farahnik
- Education
- UCLA, with honors · DDS, USC, 2018
- Practicing
- Practicing dentist since 2018
- Languages
- English · Farsi
Your first step is a conversation.
Faraz Farahnik, DDS · USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Begin
Not sure where to begin?
Tell us what you'd change if you could change one thing about your smile. That single answer is usually enough to start a useful conversation, in person or by phone.