Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Going to the dentist may not be a the top of your list as a favorite thing to do, but it certainly drops to the bottom of the list if you don’t have a way to pay for the treatment you need.

Our caring dental team understands how confusing and stressful it can feel when it comes to financing major dental treatments; that’s why we’re here to guide you through the process.

Several Ways to Pay

Golden Coast Dental Care offers financing options to help you pay for your dental care, including the following:

• CareCredit — You can apply for this healthcare credit card and make payments over time. With good credit, you may qualify for an interest-free loan. It only takes a few minutes to get approved!
• Sunbit — This financing option allows you to split your dental bill into installments. For shorter terms, you may qualify for 0% interest, and even if you have a lower credit score, Sunbit boasts a high approval rate.

We also accept these forms of payment:

• Insurance — We accept all PPO insurance plans and will file your paperwork for you.
• Cash, check, or credit card — You can pay with cash, a personal check, or one of the major credit cards.
• Apple Pay and Google Pay — If you prefer, you can pay with either Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Want to Learn More About Your Payment Options in Long Beach?

To ask a question about our financing options, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment, give us a call! At Golden Coast Dental Care, we can help you navigate your dental insurance coverage and provide payment options that fit your lifestyle and budget.

You can reach us at (562) 421-8401.

At our multi-specialty practice, you can expect a warm greeting from the front desk, a welcoming dental team, and professionals who listen to you and are happy to address your concerns. You’ll find that we take measures to make you feel at home with us from the very first visit.

If you’re coming for a checkup and teeth cleaning in Long Beach, CA, expect a comprehensive approach, including x-rays and an oral cancer screening. Our hygienist is also happy to share nutritional information and tips on brushing and flossing with you.

After your checkup, the dentist will discuss all findings with you and lay out treatment plans if applicable. We always make time to answer your questions.

What to Bring to My First Dental Appointment

Bring your dental insurance card, information to complete a health history if not completed in advance, any recent x-rays or diagnoses, payment for your treatment, and identification.

If you have questions about your first dental visit, we encourage you to contact our dental office to speak with a team member.

Contact Your Dentist or Periodontist in Long Beach, CA

We look forward to meeting you and helping you enjoy a healthy and happy smile for life. If you ever have questions, a dental team member will be happy to answer them.

We recommend full-mouth reconstruction for Long Beach, CA patients who need to correct several restorative and cosmetic issues. Our dentists and specialists will coordinate to create a personalized treatment plan that may include a combination of dental services to address your unique needs.

Full-Mouth Reconstruction Treatments

Here is a list of dental services our dental team might recommend as part of a full mouth reconstruction:

• Dental implants — If you have one or more missing teeth, implants are a highly effective solution that can last a lifetime.
• Dental Crowns — Also called caps, we recommend a dental crown for damaged, decayed, or broken teeth to restore their strength, function, and appearance.
• Fixed Bridges — Another excellent tooth replacement we offer is a dental bridge that uses prosthetic teeth attached to adjacent teeth for support.
• Dentures — We offer full and partial removable dentures and implant dentures for a more secure fit and feel.
• Invisalign clear braces — Clear aligners are discreet, comfortable, and address numerous orthodontic issues.
• Periodontal treatment — We’ll tailor your treatment to your needs with a deep cleaning, pain-free laser gum surgery, or bone grafting.
• Teeth whitening — Our dentists often recommend tooth bleaching as part of your treatment plan to rejuvenate your smile.

Do You Have Multiple Dental Issues to Correct?

Full mouth reconstruction, also called a full smile makeover, restores your oral health and appearance and gives you a reason to smile. If you are dealing with a combination of issues like decayed, broken, or missing teeth and aren’t sure what treatment you need, we can help you.

Please call our Long Beach, CA, dental office to schedule an appointment to get started.

Unlike traditional dentures that require adhesives to stay in place, implant-supported dentures (or All-on-4®) are secured to your jaw by dental implants. Implant dentures are anchored by four or more dental implants, making them more stable and comfortable than removable dentures.

Traditional dentures are a common option for full mouth restoration, but they tend to move when eating and speaking and require adhesives to hold them in place. Implant-supported dentures stay securely in place thanks to dental implants, with no need for messy adhesives.

Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures may be a good option if you are missing a full arch of teeth and have adequate bone mass to place the implants. At Golden Coast Dental Care, we customize dentures with the same care we use for all our tooth restorations.

Our dentists will work with you to custom-craft your implant dentures, so they enhance and complement your appearance and do not detract from it. Once your new teeth are in place, no one will ever guess they’re not the real thing.

Implant-Supported Dentures in Long Beach, CA

To find out if you are a candidate for implant dentures, we invite you to contact our Long Beach dental office to schedule an appointment. Our dentists will evaluate your oral health and make a treatment recommendation best suited to your needs.

Many patients wonder why the All-on-4® treatment uses just four implants when traditional approaches usually require more implants per arch. This implant method involves using strategic placement to deliver superior results at a significantly lower cost.

Precise Placement Strategy Hastens Recovery

All-on-4 implants in Long Beach are placed at precise angles that maximize the use of your existing bone structure. Our dental team uses 3-D scans of your mouth to determine the optimal implant placement location. This strategic positioning allows the four implants to provide the same stability and support as traditional multi-implant approaches.

The All-on-4 approach reduces surgery time compared to traditional multi-implant approaches. With fewer implants needed, the procedure is less complex, which contributes to faster recovery. 

A Cost-Effective Solution

Using four strategically placed implants instead of more implants per arch significantly lowers the overall cost. Fewer implants mean reduced material costs and less surgical complexity, making full-arch tooth replacement more accessible while maintaining the same strength and stability you need for confident eating, speaking, and smiling.

Ready to explore affordable full-arch restoration and get your smile back? Contact Golden Coast Dental Care to schedule your All-on-4 consultation with one of our team members. 

Of course! Many of our patients love the idea of combining cosmetic treatments to create a total smile makeover. We can craft a treatment plan for you if you want to:

• Replace missing teeth
• Brighten your smile
• Refine the shape and alignment of your teeth

For example, if you're getting dental implants in Long Beach, you might want to whiten your natural teeth first so your new implant crown blends in seamlessly. If you're thinking about veneers, they can help create a more symmetrical, polished look while covering up chips, gaps, or discoloration. And if you're straightening your teeth with clear aligners, you can finish things off with dental bonding or contouring to perfect the final shape.

Some treatments are best done in stages to get the best results. For instance, teeth whitening is usually done before veneers to ensure a perfect color match and dental implants need time to heal before we can place the final crown. When you visit Golden Coast Dental Care, we’ll chat about your goals, check out your oral health, and map out the best way to get you the smile you’ve been dreaming of.

Call Our Cosmetic Dentist in Long Beach, CA 

Are you ready to transform your smile? Let’s chat and create your perfect treatment plan!

A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged, weakened, or cosmetically imperfect tooth, restoring strength, function, and appearance. Crowns are typically made from porcelain, ceramic, metal, zirconia, or a combination. They offer durability and a natural look by fully encasing the visible portion of the tooth above the gumline and providing protection against further damage.

Crowns improve oral health and function and enhance the appearance of your smile. With proper care, a well-placed crown can last 10-15 years—or longer!

When Is a Dental Crown Necessary?

If you have a damaged or weakened tooth, your dentist may recommend a crown to restore your bite, comfort, and confidence in your smile. Here are a few more specific instances in which a dental crown may be called for:

• A severely decayed tooth that a regular filling can’t repair
• A cracked, broken, or worn-down tooth requiring reinforcement
• A post-root canal tooth that’ requires extra support
• A dental implant that requires a functional replacement tooth
• Aesthetic concerns like discoloration or misshapen teeth

Precisely Placing Dental Crowns in Long Beach, CA

If you're looking for a Long Beach dentist with extensive experience in precisely placing dental crowns, guidance, and preventive care to maximize their lifespans, contact Dr. Brock Lorenz and the Golden Coast Dental Care team to schedule a consultation!

This is one of the most common concerns patients have about cosmetic dentistry, and the good news is that properly planned cosmetic treatments should enhance rather than compromise your bite and speech function.

Function Meets Beauty

At Golden Coast Dental Care, our cosmetic dentists combine creativity with advanced techniques to create a blend of beauty and functionality. Every cosmetic treatment is carefully planned to improve your smile's appearance while maintaining or enhancing proper bite alignment and speech clarity.

Treatment-Specific Considerations

Different cosmetic procedures affect function in various ways. For example, Invisalign clear aligners correct many bite and alignment issues, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and gaps between teeth, improving both function and appearance. Dental veneers and crowns are custom-designed to maintain proper bite relationships while concealing imperfections.

Comprehensive Planning Process

During your cosmetic dentistry consultation, one of our expert dentists performs a thorough dental examination of your teeth, gums, and jaws and takes detailed images. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that any cosmetic work will support proper function. Your personalized treatment plan considers how each procedure will affect your overall oral health and bite function.

Call Your Long Beach Dentist Today for Professional Expertise

Ready to explore cosmetic options that enhance both beauty and function? Consider contacting Golden Coast Dental Care to schedule your consultation and discuss how cosmetic dentistry can improve your smile without compromising your bite or speech.

Dental implants are the strongest and longest-lasting tooth replacement solution available. With proper care, an implant—the titanium post surgically screwed into the jawbone as a replacement root—can last multiple decades, if not a lifetime! Meanwhile, the dental crowns typically attached to implants typically last 10-20 years before requiring replacement due to normal wear and tear.

Factors Affecting Dental Implant Longevity

Several factors affect the lifespan of a dental implant, including:

• Oral hygiene habits — Brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups help prevent gum disease, which can compromise implant stability.
• Bone health — A strong jawbone is vital to long-term implant success, with conditions like osteoporosis impacting longevity.
• Lifestyle choices — Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and teeth grinding (bruxism) can shorten the lifespan of an implant.
• Material quality — High-quality titanium implants and durable porcelain or zirconia crowns extend longevity.

With good oral care and professional maintenance, most patients enjoy their dental implants for decades without concern. Unlike dentures or dental bridges, implants don’t require periodic replacement. If you’re considering implants, consult your dentist to determine if they’re the right long-term investment for restoring your smile.

Precise and Painlessly Dental Implant Placement in Long Beach, CA

If you’re in the Long Beach area and want to learn more about the dental implant process and implants’ potentially transformative impact on your smile, bite, and overall self-confidence, contact Dr. Brock Lorenz and the helpful Golden Coast Dental Care team to schedule a consultation!

Dental implants have one of the highest success rates among tooth replacement options, with studies showing a 95 to 98 percent success rate when placed by an experienced dentist or specialist. The longevity of dental implants depends on several factors, including:

• Overall health
• Gum condition
• Bone density
• Oral hygiene habits

Since implants are designed to fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, they create a sturdy and long-lasting foundation for replacement teeth.

With proper care, which includes maintaining good oral hygiene, avoiding tobacco use, and attending regular dental checkups, dental implants can last a lifetime. However, certain lifestyle choices and medical conditions—such as smoking, diabetes, or osteoporosis—can increase the risk of implant failure by affecting bone healing and gum health.

Also, untreated gum disease or insufficient bone volume can affect implant stability, which is why a thorough evaluation is necessary before the procedure.

Call Our Implant Dentist in Long Beach, CA

At Golden Coast Dental Care, we take every step to ensure a successful implant placement by evaluating your oral and overall health, using advanced imaging technology, and tailoring a treatment plan to your unique needs. If you’re considering dental implants, schedule a consultation with us to see if they’re the right solution for you. 

Invisalign® is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment system that uses mouthpiece-like aligners to gradually align a person’s smile and bite. Invisalign aligners are custom-made for each individual to ensure a precise fit and maximum comfort during treatment.

Patients using Invisalign wear a series of sets of aligners for roughly two weeks each. Each set gradually shifts teeth further toward the desired position. Invisalign can correct various orthodontic issues, including crowded or spaced teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and relapses following previous treatment with metal braces.

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners are virtually invisible, allowing for comfort and confidence throughout the treatment. Additionally, while the aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours a day for optimal results, they are removable for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing, allowing for unencumbered oral hygiene and no dietary restrictions during the (typically) 12 to 18-month treatment period.

Factors Influencing Invisalign Treatment Time

The duration of each individual’s Invisalign treatment relies on a number of factors. The most significant of these are:

• The severity of the misalignment being treated
• Commitment to consistently wearing the aligners and adhering to treatment instructions
• The responsiveness of the individual’s teeth to the treatment

Top Quality Invisalign Treatment in Long Beach, CA

If you’re in Long Beach and want to learn more about Invisalign and what you can expect from clear aligner orthodontics, contact Dr. Brock Lorenz and the excellent Golden Coast Dental Care team to schedule a consultation!

To achieve optimal results, individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment with Invisalign® must wear their clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day. Every day.

This means wearing the aligners at all times, except when eating, drinking non-water beverages, or brushing and flossing. Consistency is crucial to success with Invisalign. Removing the aligners too frequently or for extended stretches greatly increases the risk of uneven progress, extended treatment duration, or suboptimal results.

To stay on track, it’s important to integrate wearing Invisalign aligners into your daily routine. Each set of aligners gradually shifts teeth into place, typically over a couple of weeks. Consistently failing to wear Invisalign aligners as directed can make them feel tighter or uncomfortable, extend your treatment time, and affect the treatment’s ultimate success.

Following the recommended wear schedule ensures that your Invisalign treatment stays efficient and effective, helping you achieve your ideal smile as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Make the Most of Your Invisalign Treatment in Long Beach, CA

If you’re in Long Beach and looking for a top-quality dental team to help you navigate the Invisalign treatment process in comfort to optimal results, contact Dr. Brock Lorenz and the friendly and helpful Golden Coast Dental Care team to schedule a consultation!

Hormonal changes, as seen in pregnancy, are a risk factor for gingivitis and even advanced gum disease. And regular gingivitis and pregnancy gingivitis are similar, even if the contributing factors differ.

Preventing Gingivitis During Pregnancy

Your Long Beach dentist recommends continuing dental care even though you are pregnant. Not only is it safe to do so, but it’s also recommended!

Gum disease has been associated with low birth weight and even premature labor. Keeping you and your baby safe is a top priority.

During pregnancy, your dentist can monitor your gum health and take measures if issues arise.

Signs of Gingivitis and Gum Disease

If you have gingivitis or gum disease, you may notice some or all of the following symptoms:

• Bleeding gums when flossing or brushing
• Bad breath that recurs
• Loose or mobile teeth
• Inflamed, red, or sore gums

See your dentist every six months and throughout pregnancy to lower your risks. And be sure to brush and floss regularly. Contact our office for guidance if you notice anything new, like bleeding gums.

Periodontal Disease Treatment in Long Beach

If you would like more information about our dental treatments and services or if you would like to schedule an appointment with the dentist, call us today.

Gum disease is a staged condition that starts as gingivitis. In the early stage, your dentist in Long Beach can often reverse the situation and restore you to full oral health. When gingivitis advances and becomes periodontitis, it is treatable but not curable.

Bleeding gums when you brush or floss can be a sign of gingivitis or periodontitis—bleeding gums can occur in all stages of gum disease. In some cases, bleeding gums are not indicative of gum disease but may mean anemia or that you’re brushing or flossing too aggressively.

Establish Regular Dental Care

If you visit your dentist every six months for checkups and teeth cleanings, you significantly lower your risks for gum disease. Additionally, it would be best if you were brushing and flossing after every meal or at least twice daily.

We encourage potential patients or those who have not visited the dentist in a while to reestablish care. Periodontitis has been linked to severe health issues, including tooth loss, specific types of dementia, low birth weight, and more.

Contact your dentist if you notice bleeding gums or other concerns like bad breath or loose teeth.

Periodontal Treatment in Long Beach, CA

To schedule an appointment, contact a member of our dental team today.

A periodontist is a dental professional specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating periodontal disease. Maintaining excellent gum health is crucial because untreated gum disease can damage your gums, bones, and other tissues that support your teeth.

Scaling and Root Planing

One common service our Long Beach, CA, periodontist provides is scaling and root planing. Also called a deep cleaning procedure, this treatment addresses advanced gum disease by removing plaque and tartar below the gum line to prevent further damage.

LANAP Laser Gum Treatment

Dr. Lorenz is also pleased to offer leading-edge LANAP laser gum treatment, which replaces traditional gum surgery performed with a scalpel. LANAP is less invasive, more comfortable, involves little to no bleeding, and has shorter recovery times.

Soft Tissue Gum Grafting

Our periodontist recommends gum grafting to rebuild gums around teeth where recession has occurred. The procedure involves taking gum tissue from your mouth and using it to cover exposed tooth roots.

There are numerous benefits to a soft tissue graft, including reduced tooth sensitivity, improved aesthetics, and reduced risk of continued gum recession.

Dental Implant Placement

Dr. Lorenz commonly performs dental implant placement using leading-edge technology to achieve the best possible long-term results. After your implant heals, our dentists will custom-craft replacement teeth so you can eat, speak, and smile confidently.

Gentle, Caring Periodontal Treatment 

There’s nothing to worry about if you received a referral to our periodontist from your dentist!

Dr. Lorenz is a friendly, caring professional who provides gentle, compassionate treatment.

We are delighted to report that root canals, in addition to being highly effective long-term solutions for tooth decay and immediate solutions from (usually quite severe) pain, are generally pain-free themselves!

What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a minor surgical procedure in which, due to severe decay or damage, a tooth´s infected “pulp,” consisting of nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissue, is removed to relieve pain and prevent further damage. Once the pulp is removed, the dentist fully cleans the remaining space and seals it with a filling material that prevents bacteria from re-entering the remainder of the tooth.

From the time the dentist numbs the gums around the damaged tooth until the pulp is removed and the tooth is sealed, it is uncommon for a patient to feel any pain. After the procedure, the tooth and the surrounding area require roughly a week to heal. Once this healing period is over, the tooth is typically topped with a dental crown for protection.

Barring any unforeseen complications, at no point during this process should you feel anything beyond minimal pain.

Pain-Free Root Canals in Long Beach, CA

If you’re in Long Beach and want to learn more about the measures your dentist will take to ensure your comfort throughout the root canal process, contact Dr. Brock Lorenz and the friendly and knowledgeable Golden Coast Dental Care team to schedule a consultation.

If your dentist referred you to our endodontist in Long Beach, CA, it's because you need specialized dental care to preserve your overall oral health. An endodontist is a specialist who focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating conditions that affect dental pulp, the soft tissue deep inside your tooth. Their ultimate goal is to relieve pain and save teeth.

Root Canal Treatment

The most well-known procedure our endodontist, Dr. Darren Smolkin, performs is root canal treatment. During this procedure, he removes the infected or damaged pulp, then seals it to prevent further damage or infection.

Root Canal Retreatment

Sometimes, a root-canaled tooth develops a further infection, so our specialist would recommend retreatment. This process involves removing remaining infected or damaged material, similar to routine root canal therapy. 

Apicoectomy

Another endodontic treatment we may recommend is an apicoectomy. An apicoectomy is an advanced endodontic treatment involving removing the root's tip or apex and surrounding tissue. Dr. Smolkin typically recommends this treatment to treat persistent infections within the root canals.

Our Endodontist Cares about Your Comfort

We know you may feel apprehensive or anxious about undergoing endodontic treatment. Dr. Smolkin is an experienced specialist who cares deeply about his patients' comfort and safety and empathizes with your concerns.

At Golden Coast Dental Care, we use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure your treatment is gentle and pain-free. We also take time to explain the process and answer your questions, so you feel fully informed and comfortable.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Endodontist

If you think you need root canal treatment in Long Beach, CA, please call us to schedule an appointment so we can help you.

Dental anxiety is real, keeping many people from getting the care they need and deserve, but if you are fearful of going to the dentist, we can help! Our Long Beach dental office offers several types of sedation, so whether you have anxiety, special needs, or have to undergo a long dental procedure, we’ve got you covered.

Do You Offer Sedation Dentistry?

Yes! Here are the types of dental sedation you can choose from:

• Nitrous oxide — Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a mask. It keeps you calm and wears off right away once the mask is removed.
• Oral sedation — For a deeper form of relaxation, we can prescribe a pill for you to take before you arrive for your appointment. You’ll need someone to drive you to and from our dental office.
• IV sedation — If you have severe dental anxiety, we can administer a sedative directly into your bloodstream through an IV. You’ll be monitored carefully during your procedure and go home to rest afterward.

Want to Learn More About Dental Sedation in Long Beach?

If you’d like to speak with a dental team member about how to reduce dental anxiety, we’d be happy to talk to you!

Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (562) 421-8401.

Yes, sedation dentistry is safe when administered by trained professionals like our Golden Coast Dental Care team. The safety of these methods has been established for decades, over a century in the case of nitrous oxide, in dental practices nationwide.

Dental Sedation Options

At our Long Beach practice, our professionals carefully evaluate each patient’s needs and recommend the most appropriate type of sedation for their anxiety levels: 

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) provides mild relaxation that wears off quickly after treatment. This form of sedation allows you to drive yourself home afterward and return to your busy day without drowsiness. Nitrous is ideal for patients with mild anxiety or those undergoing shorter procedures.
• Oral Sedation involves taking a prescribed medication before your appointment to induce deeper relaxation. You will remain conscious but feel drowsy and experience a sense of calm throughout your treatment. This option requires arranging transportation home afterward, as effects commonly linger for several hours.
• IV Sedation delivers sedative medications directly into your bloodstream for the deepest relaxation. Our specially trained professionals continuously monitor vital signs throughout treatment, ensuring complete safety. IV sedation is an excellent option for those with severe dental anxiety or undergoing extensive treatment.

Safe Sedation Dentistry in Long Beach, CA

Before we recommend any sedation method, trained professionals review your medical history and current medications to ensure sedation is appropriate for you. A commitment to ongoing training and strict adherence to established protocols makes sedation dentistry at Golden Coast Dental Care a safe, effective solution for dental anxiety.

For many, visiting the dentist is an anxiety-inducing experience. Golden Coast Dental Care offers sedation dentistry options to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your procedure.

Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas

A common type of sedation is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. This method involves inhaling a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a breathing mask. Nitrous oxide gives you a sense of calm and well-being throughout your appointment, and the effects wear off quickly once we turn off the gas.

Oral Sedation

If you need deeper relaxation, we offer oral sedation. This involves taking a sedative pill before your appointment, which helps you feel drowsy and calm. You will be conscious during the procedure but may not remember much about it afterward. The effects of oral sedation can last several hours, so a friend or family member will need to drive you home.

IV Sedation

Intravenous (IV) sedation involves our trained specialist administering the sedative directly into your bloodstream through an IV. We commonly recommend IV sedation for more complex procedures or patients with severe dental anxiety.

IV sedation puts you in a semi-conscious state, so you may not remember anything about the procedure afterward. You will need someone to drive you home and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

Can Sedation Dentistry Benefit You?

Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities at Golden Coast Dental Care. Our trained specialist will determine the best sedation option to ensure your comfort and safety. 

Don't let dental anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need—we are here to help! Call our Long Beach, CA, dental office to schedule your next appointment.

Dental restorations like crowns, veneers, and fillings cannot be whitened with professional bleaching treatments or over-the-counter products. These materials are made from porcelain, composite resin, or other materials that resist staining but also don't respond to whitening agents.

Teeth Whitening with Restorations

If you're considering both whitening and restorations, our dentists will recommend completing the whitening process first. Then, we can match the custom restorations to your newly-whitened smile, ensuring a uniform smile appearance.

What if you want to whiten your teeth and already have restorations? 

This situation does limit your options somewhat. Even selective teeth whitening is possible, but achieving a perfect match with existing restorations can be challenging. Other options include:

• We might recommend replacement of existing restorations if they are older and you want a significantly brighter smile. New crowns, veneers, or tooth-colored fillings can be created to match your newly whitened natural teeth.
• A complete smile makeover, including veneers or crowns on all visible teeth, can create a uniformly bright smile and address other aesthetic concerns in the same treatment plan. 

During your consultation at Golden Coast Dental Care, we'll evaluate your current restorations and discuss the most appropriate whitening strategy to help you achieve the beautiful, bright smile you desire. Call our Long Beach, CA, dental office to schedule a consultation to see how we can help you achieve your smile goals.

Root canal therapy is a common dental procedure where your dentist removes infected pulp from the inside of your tooth before cleaning and sealing it. Once you undergo a root canal, the next step is typically a dental crown on top of the affected tooth.  When you are looking for dental crowns in Long Beach, CA, you may be wondering if you can still whiten your teeth after you complete your root canal and dental crown procedure. Let’s find out.

Teeth Whitening after a Root Canal

If you have undergone root canal therapy, it’s possible that your tooth can become discolored from either the filling material used by your dentist or other factors. Because of this, you may undergo internal teeth whitening, where your dentist can whiten your tooth from the inside so that it will match the rest of your teeth.

Teeth Whitening after a Dental Crown

Fortunately, dental crowns are typically made of porcelain, which can be matched to your natural tooth color. Because of this, teeth whitening isn’t really necessary when you have a dental crown. As a rule, dental crowns do not respond well to teeth-whitening agents, so it isn’t recommended that you whiten your teeth if you have this type of dental restoration or that you whiten your teeth before getting dental restorations.

 Looking for a Dental Office in Long Beach, CA?

If you need a Long Beach dentist, consider the expert dental team at Golden Coast Dental Care. We strive to help you achieve and maintain the best oral health possible, so if you need root canal treatment in Long Beach, CA, we’ve got you covered. You can reach us by calling (562) 421-8401.

Cosmetic dentistry has become an extremely popular option for many people, so if you have ever wondered about cosmetic dentistry services in Long Beach, you’re not alone. One of the most popular cosmetic treatments is professional teeth whitening. Now that it’s 2023, what does teeth whitening cost? Keep reading to find out more about it.

Teeth Whitening Costs 

Because your dental insurance probably won’t cover your teeth whitening treatments, many people are curious about what this cosmetic treatment will cost. Unfortunately, teeth whitening costs can vary significantly based on the following circumstances:

Location – Depending on where you live, teeth whitening costs can vary greatly.

Type of treatment – Your teeth whitening cost can vary depending on whether you opt for in-office teeth whitening, which can give you immediate results, or take-home teeth whitening trays, which can take longer to work.

Existing dental issues – If dental work needs to be done before you can undergo professional teeth whitening, this will undoubtedly affect your cost.

The best thing to do is schedule a consultation with our dental office to discuss your teeth whitening options. We can help you form a treatment plan that works for your budget.

Are You Interested in Dental Crowns in Long Beach, CA?

If you’re looking for a Long Beach dentist or a dental office in Long Beach, CA, look no further than Golden Coast Dental Care. Our dental team is ready to help you with all your dental needs. So, if you need root canal treatment in Long Beach, CA, or any other type of dental care, please call us at (562) 421-8401.

A tooth extraction typically heals within 10 days — though some patients may require up to two weeks for full recovery. This is most common in cases involving impacted wisdom teeth. During this period, a blood clot forms in the newly-empty socket, creating a healthy environment for bone and tissue regeneration.

The Dental Extraction Process — What to Expect

Dental extractions themselves are straightforward procedures. After numbing the area using a local anesthetic, the dentist uses tools to gradually loosen the tooth from its socket in the jawbone. Once the tooth is sufficiently loose, it is typically easily removed. Once the tooth is out, the extraction site is stitched closed to allow the gum tissue and the empty socket to heal properly.

After the extraction, certain aftercare measures are recommended to facilitate faster healing. These include regular rinses with lukewarm water, avoiding vigorous brushing or flossing, and maintaining a diet of soft foods until healing is complete. In the event of discomfort, an ice pack and over-the-counter painkillers are usually sufficient.

Effective and Pain-Free Tooth Extractions in Long Beach, CA

If you’re in Long Beach and looking for an experienced and empathic dental care team to guide you through the tooth extraction process, including aftercare, contact Dr. Brock Lorenz and the friendly and knowledgeable Golden Coast Dental Care team to schedule a consultation.

Wisdom teeth are also called third molars and are the last adult teeth to develop. A common sign they need to be removed is pain, swelling, or discomfort in the back of your mouth.

At our Long Beach, CA, dental office, we recommend wisdom tooth extraction on a case-by-case basis. We invite you to contact us so our dentists can evaluate your teeth to determine the best course of action based on your needs.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth a Problem?

Because wisdom teeth are located so far back in your mouth, they can cause numerous oral health problems.

Wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth or become painful, especially if they don’t emerge properly or become impacted. They are also difficult to clean properly, which puts you at increased risk for cavities and gum disease.

Some signs that your wisdom teeth may need to be removed include:

• Pain or discomfort in the back of the mouth or jaw
• Swelling or redness in the gums around the back teeth
• Jaw stiffness
• Difficulty chewing
• Frequent headaches

Safe, Comfortable Wisdom Tooth Extraction

If you experience any of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment so our dentists in Long Beach can determine if a wisdom tooth extraction is necessary. At Golden Coast Dental Care, we are committed to your comfort and safety and offer sedation options, including IV sedation, to help you relax. We use the latest techniques and technologies to ensure safe, comfortable, and efficient wisdom tooth extraction.