Cosmetic dentistry in San Francisco is about more than appearances. A healthy, balanced smile improves how you eat, speak, and present yourself professionally — and modern techniques let us improve all three with minimally invasive treatment that preserves your natural tooth structure. At Soothing Dental, Dr. Sona Saeidi has practiced cosmetic and biomimetic dentistry from our Sutter Street Financial District office since 2011, working with patients across the Bay Area who want results that look natural, not “done.”
What Cosmetic Dentistry Includes at Soothing Dental
Treatment performed by Dr. Sona Saeidi, DMD, cofounder of Soothing Dental and graduate of Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. California license #60566. Practicing in California since 2011.
“Cosmetic dentistry” isn’t a single procedure — it’s an umbrella term for treatments that improve how teeth look while protecting their long-term health. The treatments we offer most often:
Porcelain Veneers
Thin, custom-shaped porcelain layers bonded to the front of your teeth. Used to correct chipping, discoloration that doesn’t respond to whitening, or teeth that are slightly out of alignment. Dr. Saeidi uses biomimetic preparation techniques that preserve far more of your natural tooth structure than traditional veneer protocols. Learn more about porcelain veneers.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Both in-office and take-home options available. Philips Zoom DayWhite and NiteWhite are our preferred at-home systems for sustained results without the sensitivity that strip-based whitening often causes. Learn about our whitening options.
Dental Bonding
For minor chips, gaps, or discoloration where veneers would be excessive. Composite resin is shaped, cured, and polished in a single visit — typically the most affordable cosmetic option. Learn about dental bonding.
Gum Contouring
If you feel your smile shows too much gum, or if your gum line is uneven, gum contouring uses a gentle laser to reshape gum tissue precisely. Healing is faster than scalpel-based gum surgery and most patients notice results immediately. Learn about gum contouring.
Masseter Botox
For patients who clench or grind their teeth (bruxism), or who have a wider jawline they’d like softened, masseter Botox relaxes the powerful chewing muscle that runs along the jaw. The cosmetic effect is real, but the bigger benefit is protecting tooth wear, reducing tension headaches, and improving sleep quality.
Dental Crowns & Bridges
When a tooth is extensively damaged, a crown restores both function and appearance. We use modern all-ceramic materials that are essentially indistinguishable from natural teeth, and same-day crowns are available for many cases. Learn about dental crowns or dental bridges.
Invisalign
Clear aligners aren’t strictly “cosmetic” — they correct bite issues that protect long-term tooth health — but the visible improvement is what most patients come to us for. We accelerate Invisalign with the Propel VPro5 device for patients who want faster results. Learn about Invisalign at Soothing Dental.
Our Approach
Cosmetic dentistry done well is invisible. The goal is a smile that fits your face — not a generic Hollywood-white blocky uniformity. Dr. Saeidi works with each patient through a careful planning phase that includes digital smile design, mock-up photos before any treatment begins, and review of similar before/after cases from our practice.
Three things we do differently:
- Biomimetic preparation. Where most cosmetic dentists remove substantial natural tooth structure to fit veneers or crowns, biomimetic technique preserves the maximum amount of natural enamel and dentin. Your teeth stay stronger long-term.
- Sedation options for anxious patients. If past dental anxiety has kept you from cosmetic treatment, we offer conscious sedation, IV sedation, and nitrous oxide. See sedation details.
- Concierge experience. Free Uber rides to and from appointments, Netflix and noise-canceling headphones during treatment, and a quiet office that doesn’t feel like a dental clinic. The full experience is described on our concierge dentistry page.
Pricing & Financing
Cosmetic procedures typically aren’t covered by dental insurance, but we believe in transparent pricing. Our cost transparency page lists ranges for each service. We accept all PPO insurance plans (which can apply to functional components of cosmetic work — for example, a crown that’s also a cosmetic improvement). 0% financing through CareCredit and our own monthly subscription plans (Silver $30/mo, Gold $65/mo, Platinum $130/mo) help spread the cost.
Before & After Gallery
The most accurate way to evaluate a cosmetic dentist is to see real cases from real patients. Our Smile Gallery shows before/after photos from our practice — full-mouth restorations, single-tooth corrections, whitening, veneers, and gum contouring. These are our patients, photographed with the same camera and lighting before and after, so you can judge the natural-looking quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does cosmetic dentistry cost in San Francisco?
It depends entirely on the treatment. Whitening at Soothing Dental starts at $400 for at-home trays. Bonding is $300–$700 per tooth. A single porcelain veneer is typically $1,500–$2,500. A full smile makeover (8–10 veneers plus whitening) ranges $12,000–$25,000 in our practice. We always provide a detailed treatment plan with all costs before any work begins.
Will my insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
Pure cosmetic treatments (whitening, veneers placed for appearance only) are not covered by any dental insurance. However, treatments with a functional component — crowns, bridges, Invisalign correcting a bite issue, even some bonding — often have partial coverage under PPO plans. We file the insurance claim for you and explain what’s covered before treatment.
How long do veneers last?
With good oral hygiene, modern porcelain veneers last 10–20 years. Bonded composite veneers last 5–7 years. We use minimally invasive preparation techniques that preserve more of your natural tooth structure, which extends the life of any future restoration.
Is cosmetic dentistry painful?
Most cosmetic procedures involve mild discomfort at most. Whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity. Veneer preparation requires local anesthesia. For patients with dental anxiety, we offer conscious sedation, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation — Dr. Saeidi is licensed for all three.
How do I know if I need cosmetic dentistry or a different treatment?
Schedule a free consultation. Dr. Saeidi will evaluate your concerns, take photos, discuss your goals, and explain the realistic options. Sometimes the answer is whitening alone; sometimes it’s a more involved plan. There’s no obligation and no pressure.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation
Book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Sona Saeidi at our 450 Sutter Street office. We’ll evaluate your smile goals, take photos, and show you what’s possible — with an honest assessment of cost, timeline, and what we’d recommend.
Schedule a free cosmetic dentistry consultation →
Call us directly at (415) 989-3953 or email appt@soothing.dental.