Cosmetic dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry in Corona del Mar
Good cosmetic dentistry does not announce itself. The teeth look like better versions of your own — the right proportions for your face, the right shade for your skin, edges that catch light the way natural enamel does. Nobody should be able to tell you had work done.
Dr. Polonus designs cosmetic cases around function first. A smile that looks beautiful but fights your bite will chip, loosen, or wear out. Getting the mechanics right is what makes the aesthetics last.
What sets this apart
- Digital smile design so you see the plan before we begin
- Porcelain from ceramists we have worked with for years
- Whitening, bonding, and veneer discounts built into membership
Treated by Dr. Zak Polonus, DDS MS at 2345 East Coast Hwy, Ste. C, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.
What cosmetic dentistry covers here
Porcelain veneers
Thin, custom-made ceramic facings that correct shape, shade, chips, and small gaps. Designed case by case — never a single generic shape repeated across ten teeth.
Professional teeth whitening
In-office whitening for a fast change, or custom take-home trays for gradual control. Both go several shades beyond what a drugstore kit can reach.
Tooth-colored bonding
Composite artistry for chipped edges, worn corners, and small gaps. Often finished in one visit, with no enamel removal.
Gum reshaping & contouring
Recontouring an uneven or low gum line so teeth are framed evenly. Frequently the difference between a good veneer case and a great one.
Clear aligners
Discreet orthodontic movement for crowding, spacing, and relapse after old braces — often the cleanest fix before any cosmetic work is placed.
Full smile makeovers
A coordinated plan combining whitening, veneers, crowns, and gum work, sequenced so each stage sets up the next.
We design the smile before we touch a tooth
Cosmetic work starts with records: photographs, a 3D digital scan, and a conversation about what actually bothers you. From there Dr. Polonus designs the proposed result so you can see the proportions, length, and shade before any enamel is prepared.
It is far easier to change a design on a screen than to remake finished porcelain. Members receive that Smile Design consultation as part of their plan.
Conservative first, when conservative will do
Not every case needs veneers. Whitening and a few hours of careful bonding solve a surprising number of complaints for a fraction of the cost, and they keep your enamel intact. Alignment issues are often better handled by moving the teeth than by covering them.
We will lay out the conservative option alongside the comprehensive one, with honest expectations about how each ages, and let you choose.
How it works
The path from first visit to finished work.
01
Consultation & records
Photos, a digital scan, shade mapping, and a clear brief on what you want to change.
02
Digital smile design
A proposed result you can see and adjust, with proportions checked against your face and your bite.
03
Preparation & try-in
Minimal, conservative preparation, then a provisional stage so you live with the shape before it is final.
04
Final placement
Porcelain bonded, bite verified, and a night guard made to protect the investment.
Questions we get
Cosmetic Dentistry, answered.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
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Well-designed veneers commonly last ten to twenty years. What shortens that is almost always an unmanaged bite or untreated grinding, which is why we address both as part of the case and make a night guard when the work is finished.
Will veneers look fake?
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Not if they are designed for your face. We choose length, shade, and surface texture per tooth and use ceramists who build in the subtle translucency real enamel has. Most patients tell us friends notice they look well, not that they had dentistry.
How much whiter will professional whitening get my teeth?
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Most patients see several shades of change, considerably more than an over-the-counter kit delivers. Results depend on what is causing the discoloration — surface staining responds quickly, while internal or medication-related staining sometimes calls for veneers or bonding instead.
Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
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Purely cosmetic treatment is generally not covered, though work that also restores a broken or worn tooth often is, at least in part. We verify coverage in advance and quote your out-of-pocket cost before you commit.
Is cosmetic treatment uncomfortable?
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Most of it is straightforward with local anesthetic. For longer appointments, or if dental visits make you anxious, oral and IV sedation are available in this office.
Related care
All servicesGeneral Dentistry
Cleanings, exams, fillings, and gum care — the everyday dentistry that keeps everything else simple.
Read moreAnti-Aging Dentistry
Restoring the tooth structure and bite height that hold up the lower third of your face.
Read moreFull Mouth Reconstruction
Rebuilding a worn, broken, or failing mouth as one sequenced plan, function before aesthetics.
Read moreReady when you are
Curious what is possible?
Bring us the one thing you would change about your smile. We will tell you honestly what it takes to fix it.
- New patients welcome
- Most major PPO plans accepted
- Takes about a minute
Would rather write than call? Send the front desk a note and we will usually reply the same business day.