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Cosmetic Dentistry
How Would You Improve Your Smile?

Dr. Aaron Ochoco offers smile design services in Santa Monica customized just for you.

Cosmetic Dentistry | Dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry

Patients who come to Dr. Aaron Ochoco for cosmetic dentistry do not necessarily think their smile looks bad; it's that it no longer looks like them. Maybe it’s the worn-down, chipped, or discolored teeth that make you look older than you feel. Or maybe it’s the outdated veneers or bonding that made sense years ago but no longer reflect the results you'd want today.

Cosmetic dentistry at Schuster and Ochoco Dental is not about dramatic transformations. Dr. Ochoco’s focus is restoring your smile so it looks natural, suits your face, and feels like yours.

If you’re ready to learn more, please call our Santa Monica cosmetic dental office at (310) 453-5300 to schedule a consultation.

What Would You Change About Your Smile?

Do you have a specific concern but aren’t sure which treatment might address it? Dr. Ochoco's priority is understanding what bothers you and what you would like to see instead. Some of the most common he sees are:

  • Teeth that look worn, short, or flat
  • Chips or cracks that affect the appearance of one or more teeth
  • Staining that hasn't responded to whitening
  • Uneven spacing or proportion
  • Old veneers, crowns, or bonding that look dated, bulky, or unnatural
  • A smile that makes them look older than they feel

Benefits of Personalized Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Aaron Ochoco carefully evaluates your needs, considering your cosmetic goals and what's right for your smile. His considered approach offers several benefits:
Natural-Looking Results
The goal is the right smile for your face, your age, and your personality. Dr. Ochoco's aesthetic standard is that cosmetic work should enhance what is already there, not replace it with something that doesn't fit.
Conservative Treatment
Dr. Ochoco recommends the least invasive option that achieves the desired result. If bonding can accomplish what veneers would, he will tell you. Preserving healthy tooth structure is always part of the conversation.
Predictable Outcomes
You will approve the design before treatment begins. Mockups, digital planning, and clear communication at every stage mean the final result reflects what you and Dr. Ochoco discussed, not an interpretation of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing the right cosmetic treatment depends on several factors: The specific concerns you want to address, the condition of your existing teeth, how much change you're looking for, and how conservative you'd like the approach to be.

Common Cosmetic Smile Concerns

Dr. Aaron Ochoco uses personalized smile design to address numerous aesthetic issues:

  • Chips, cracks, or minor gaps — Composite bonding is often the first option to consider. It requires little to no removal of tooth structure and can significantly improve aesthetic smile issues in a single visit.
  • Staining or discoloration — Professional whitening addresses many types of staining, but not all. If the discoloration is internal or doesn't respond to whitening, Dr. Ochoco may recommend bonding or veneers instead.
  • Shape, proportion, or multiple concerns — Veneers offer more control over the final result and work well when several teeth need correction. 
  • Old or outdated restorations — Existing veneers or bonding that look unnatural, have worn down, or no longer match your surrounding teeth can typically be replaced with updated materials and a revised design.

Dr. Ochoco evaluates each case individually. During your consultation, he reviews your concerns, examines your teeth, and explains which options make the most sense given your goals and tooth structure. 

To schedule a cosmetic smile consultation at Schuster and Ochoco Dental, call (310) 453-5300. Our Santa Monica dental practice serves patients from Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, and the surrounding Westside communities.

Cosmetic Dentistry at Schuster and Ochoco Dental

  • Veneers — Dr. Ochoco places thin, custom-crafted porcelain shells over the front surfaces of teeth to correct shape, color, and proportion.
  • Composite Bonding — This versatile, conservative option for chips, cracks, gaps, and minor discoloration requires little to no removal of tooth structure and can often be completed in a single appointment.
  • Teeth Whitening — Professional whitening addresses staining that over-the-counter products cannot. Dr. Ochoco evaluates the cause and degree of discoloration before recommending the best approach for you.
  • Full Smile Makeovers — If you have multiple concerns, a smile makeover combines treatments in a carefully sequenced plan.

Personalized Smile Design

No two patients have the same combination of concerns, facial features, or goals. Before recommending any treatment, Dr. Ochoco might ask you to share an old photo from a time when you were happy with your smile.

Then, he listens carefully to what you want to change and what you want to preserve. He evaluates your tooth shape, proportion, and how your smile fits your face. Then he looks for the most conservative path to getting the result you want.

As part of the design process, Dr. Ochoco creates hand-crafted mockups before a custom lab prepares the final restorations. You will see and approve the proposed results before we finalize anything, so there are no surprises.

  • Dr. Aaron Ochoco

    Dr. Aaron Ochoco

    Dr. Aaron Ochoco earned his dental degree from Loma Linda University, where he developed strong clinical skills alongside a genuine commitment to compassionate, whole-patient care. He brings that same thoughtful approach to every patient he sees, taking the time to listen, understand individual concerns, and provide care that goes beyond the teeth.

    Dr. Ochoco is passionate about patient education and believes an informed patient is an empowered one. Whether you're coming in for a routine checkup or exploring cosmetic options, he'll walk you through your choices and help you feel confident ...

    Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you decide whether veneers or bonding is the better option?

It depends on the degree of change you are looking for and how much tooth structure needs to be involved. Bonding works well for smaller corrections; veneers provide more control over shape and color for more significant changes.

Will my smile still look natural?

That is the standard to which Dr. Ochoco holds himself. He will not place restorations that look obviously cosmetic. If your desired result is not something he can achieve within that standard, he will tell you directly.

Can you replace old veneers?

Yes. Replacing outdated or poorly fitting veneers is one of the more common cosmetic cases Dr. Ochoco performs. He evaluates the existing restorations, underlying tooth structure, and your goals before recommending a path forward.

How many appointments does cosmetic treatment usually take?

It depends on the treatment. Dr. Ochoco can often complete cosmetic bonding in one visit. Veneers and smile makeovers typically require at least two, with a design and mockup phase before placing final restorations.

Testimonial

I canno't say enough great things about Dr. Ochoco.

Having used numerous dentists over my 74 years the services, expertise and great hospitality of Dr. Ochoco are the very best. Always helpful, patient and so gentle. His communication is simple, clear and thorough. I canno't say enough great things about Dr. Ochoco. The BEST!!!!!!
-Jeffrey E.

Your Best Smile Begins with a Conversation

Cosmetic dentistry done well starts long before Dr. Ochoco picks up a handpiece. It starts with understanding what you want and why. He takes the time to have that conversation at every consultation.

We would love to welcome you to our upscale Santa Monica dental office to get to know you and see how we can help. Please call (310) 453-5300 to schedule a cosmetic consultation.

Schuster and Ochoco Dental is pleased to welcome patients from Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and the surrounding Westside communities.