But how does the process work? Are there any risks associated with it? How much does it cost? We will answer these questions and more as we examine San Diego dental veneers in more detail.

What Are Dental Veneers Anyway?

Before we get specific about your San Diego cosmetic dentistry options, let’s talk about what these products are and how they work. The word “veneer” typically suggests a covering of some kind, and that is the case with dental veneers as well. Basically, they are tooth coverings or shells that are designed specifically for your teeth. They are very thin and made of a tooth-like material that looks and feels natural.

How and Why Are They Used?

Dental veneers are used primarily for cosmetic purposes, to repair (or technically to cover) teeth that are chipped, discolored, uneven or worn down. Of course, this process usually improves the patient’s bite as well, but the primary focus is cosmetic improvement.

The process usually requires three visits to the cosmetic dentist. Here’s an overview of what takes place during these visits:

• Visit #1 - During the initial consultation, the dentist will examine your teeth, explain the process to you, and explain the different types of dental veneers (such as porcelain and resin composite). If you decide to pursue the procedure, he or she will then schedule your second visit.
• Visit #2 – You will eventually return to your San Diego dentist to have a mold created of the teeth that will be covered. This is basically an impression or model of your teeth that will be used to create your dental veneers. The dentist will send the mold to a dental lab that specializes in creating veneers for patients.
• Visit #3 – When your dentist gets the veneers back from the lab, he or she will schedule your third visit. This is where you actually have them applied to your teeth. Veneers are bonded to the problematic tooth (or teeth) with a strong, cement-like material. Your San Diego dentist will then use a special light that activates a certain ingredient in the cement, causing it to dry and set.

In San Diego you can find dental veneers in several varieties. The two most common types are porcelain and composite resin, with porcelain being the most popular option. Porcelain veneers tend to last longer than the composite version, thus they are more expensive as well. The porcelain type are also more stain resistant. For these reasons and more, porcelain veneers are more popular among patients than the composite resin variety.

Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers

As with any other cosmetic dentistry procedure, porcelain veneers have their pros and cons. Here’s an overview of each:

• Pros – They look very natural and are hard to distinguish from real teeth. Typically not as expensive as having crowns, but are stronger and more attractive than bonding alone. A good “middle ground” approach to cosmetic dentistry. The porcelain variety have the added benefit of being stain resistant.
• Cons – The process is irreversible. Once you have your teeth prepared for veneers, you will always need them. They must be replaced every few years. They cannot be repaired if they get cracked or chipped. Porcelain veneers may not match the color of your natural teeth as much as you would like. Not recommended for people with periodontal disease or other tooth problems. Not recommended for people who clench or grind their teeth.

How Much Do They Cost?

The cost of veneers will vary based on a number of factors, including the level of demand, the dentist’s skill and experience, etc. In the San Diego area, you can expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500 per tooth for porcelain veneers. These are the most expensive kind because they last the longest. The composite resin type are less expensive, $250 – $350 per tooth.

Choosing a San Diego Dentist

You need to do some research before choosing a San Diego cosmetic dentist to perform your procedure. For starters, try to find somebody who has been accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). When you start with this criteria, you’ll know that your dentist has undergone specialized training in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Find out how long he or she has been working with dental veneers (the longer the better), and ask about patient results. A qualified dentist should also be able to show you before-and-after pictures of their patients.

Cosmetic surgery has become increasingly popular in the United States. It is even more popular in San Diego and other areas of Southern California, where the demand is typically higher.

There are several reasons for this growth. But the point of this article is not to pass judgment for or against San Diego cosmetic surgery procedures. Instead, I will list the three most popular cosmetic procedures, explain how they work, and offer some approximation of the cost.

So here they are in no particular order, the most common cosmetic surgery options in San Diego and across the U.S.

Breast Augmentation

The Process — Most people know it as the “boob job.” This type of San Diego cosmetic surgery uses synthetic (man-made) implants to enlarge a woman’s breast size. There are currently two kinds of implants available in San Diego — silicon and saline. Silicon implants are said to feel more natural, like the real thing. Saline implants have the benefit of being the safer options. As with most things in cosmetic surgery, there are pros and cons of each option.

The Popularity — According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), approximately 212,000 breast augment surgeries were performed in 2000. These are nationwide across the U.S., not just in San Diego. In 2007, there were more than 347,000 of these surgeries performed. So the “boob job” is not only one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery, but is also one of the fastest growing procedures.

The Cost – As with most plastic surgery procedures, the cost of a breast augmentation will vary based on several factors. The geographical location, the level of consumer demand, and the surgeon’s experience all play a role. After doing some price sampling from a dozen or so websites, I found that the cost ranges from $4,000 to $10,000. That includes all fees associated with the procedure, such as the cost of the implants, anesthesia, surgeon’s fee, etc. You can expect to pay more than the national average in the San Diego area, just because the demand is higher.

Rhinoplasty

The Process – Commonly known as the nose job, this procedure involves a reshaping of the nose for cosmetic purposes. First, the surgeon makes a small incision below the nose that also extends into the nostrils. The surgeon uses this as an entry point through which he or she will insert tools used to reshape certain areas of cartilage within the nose. I know … it makes my nose hurt just thinking about it too.

The Popularity — Rhinoplasty is another popular form of cosmetic surgery in San Diego and across the United States. According to data provided by the ASPS, nearly 285,000 nose jobs were performed in 2007 (nationwide).

The Cost – Here again, the cost of this procedure will vary based on different factors. Based on my research, the average cost of rhinoplasty was around $6,000, but could run as high as $12,000 in places with higher demand (think Beverly Hills and Los Angeles).

For a related article, see this blog post on face lift procedures.

Liposuction

The Process – Most people are more familiar with this type of cosmetic surgery than any other, because you often see this one performed on TLC and other educational TV channels. To perform liposuction, the surgeon uses a long and thin suction device to remove unwanted fat from the hips, thighs and abdomen area. After the initial incision, the doctor will use a stainless steel tube to break up and remove fatty tissue. This is the “push and pull” technique you may have seen on television.

The Popularity — This surgery technique is actually unique in that the numbers have dropped over the years. Even so, it’s still one of the most common types of cosmetic surgery in San Diego and elsewhere in the U.S. In 2007, more than 301,000 liposuction surgeries were performed in this country.

The Cost – There are several different types of liposuction available (and probably even more by the time I finish this article). It can also be performed on various parts of the body. For these reasons, the cost varies quite a bit. Lipo on the abdominal area, for example, can range from $4,000 upward to $8,000.

Cosmetic Surgery Disclaimer

You new this was coming! The purpose of this article is not meant to trivialize or glamorize San Diego cosmetic surgery procedures, but only to explain the most popular procedures currently in use. All of the procedures listed above have potential risks and complications associated with them. So you need to do plenty of research before making any final decisions about them. Always seek the advice of a medical professional.

* Source used for statistical data: American Society of Plastic Surgeons, data compiled between 2000 and 2007.

Brandon Cornett is the publisher of My Outer Self, a website offering unbiased information on all types of plastic surgery. Learn more by visiting the author’s informative blog at http://www.myouterself.com/blog