Dr. Michael T. Fulbright

COSMETIC DENTIST
Redondo Beach, CaliforniaOffice Location
310.316.4477
Changing lives...one smile at a time.
NewBeauty Expert since:

Services Offered

  • Porcelain Veneers
  • Crowns
  • Tooth Whitening
  • Dental Implants
  • CEREC®
  • Single-Visit Restorations
  • Invisalign®
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Sleep Apnea Treatment
  • Full-Mouth Reconstruction
  • Smile Makeovers

Expert Insight


Case 2

This male patient was unhappy with the look and feel of his teeth. As an attorney, he was in front of people all day and wanted a long-term solution to look his best. Full-mouth reconstruction was performed using all-ceramic restorations, and the patient raves about his amazing experience. 


Case 1

This female patient was unhappy with the appearance and position of her teeth. Dr. Fulbright explained several options including orthodontics and veneers, and the patient chose veneers to correct shape and color. Six veneers were used to create this makeover and the patient loves the results. 

Philosophy

Dr. Michael Fulbright has a passion for perfection. A cosmetic and restorative dentist, he completed post-graduate training in the advanced aesthetic continuum at UCLA, and more recently, a surgical continuum at the Pacific Implant Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credentials aside, Dr. Fulbright’s referrals pour in for one simple reason: he creates beautiful, natural-looking smiles. Fulbright Dental Aesthetics is part of the aesthetic edge medical spa, where those seeking self-improvement can enjoy medically-supervised beauty treatments, spa-inspired amenities, and ample reason to smile.

Expert Insight

Case 1

This female patient was unhappy with the appearance and position of her teeth. Dr. Fulbright explained several options including orthodontics and veneers, and the patient chose veneers to correct shape and color. Six veneers were used to create this makeover and the patient loves the results. 

Case 2

This male patient was unhappy with the look and feel of his teeth. As an attorney, he was in front of people all day and wanted a long-term solution to look his best. Full-mouth reconstruction was performed using all-ceramic restorations, and the patient raves about his amazing experience. 

Revitalizing Smiles and Lives

When it comes to smile design, Dr. Fulbright looks at form, function and aesthetics to create lasting, beautiful smiles. “Every smile we create is custom-made—not cookie cutter. Gender differences come into play and so does the patient’s age,” he says. “We can take years off your appearance simply by lengthening the center teeth.” Dr. Fulbright leads a practice that affords his patients a high degree of pampering, with the kinds of perks you’d expect at a posh day spa. Colorfully eclectic artwork creates a cheerful ambience, while patients enjoy spa water or freshly brewed espresso served by a staff barista. Treatment rooms boast flat screen TVs, iPods and BOSE® noise-blocking headphones to keep anxiety at bay. “For every procedure, I always help patients focus on the benefits and the end results to put them at ease. My patients tell me all the time how their new smile has changed their lives—that’s what makes this field so rewarding,” Dr. Fulbright says.

Better by a Smile

This patient was unhappy with the look of her smile when she met with Dr. Fulbright. She hoped for change, and the results exceeded her expectations. “I’m finally proud of my teeth and I feel like I can laugh and smile without being self-conscious. I know this sounds cliché, but Dr. Fulbright has truly changed my life,” she says. 

Philosophy

Dr. Michael Fulbright has a passion for perfection. A cosmetic and restorative dentist, he completed post-graduate training in the advanced aesthetic continuum at UCLA, and more recently, a surgical continuum at the Pacific Implant Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credentials aside, Dr. Fulbright’s referrals pour in for one simple reason: he creates beautiful, natural-looking smiles. Fulbright Dental Aesthetics is part of the aesthetic edge medical spa, where those seeking self-improvement can enjoy medically-supervised beauty treatments, spa-inspired amenities, and ample reason to smile.

About my practice:

What makes your practice unique?

We take a collaborative approach when it comes to helping patients achieve their goals. Having a board-certified plastic surgeon and a team of skin-care specialists on staff allows us to offer patients a total makeover experience beyond the cosmetic dentistry I provide.

How do you customize your smile designs?

We look at things like facial shape, age and personality traits. I do extensive facial analysis and take extensive photographs, with the goal being to give each patient a smile that is as unique as they are.

Why did you invest in a cerec cad/cam device?

The patient benefits are tremendous. We can provide same-day visit crowns, veneers and porcelain onlays with no messy impressions and no unstable temporaries. Because we’re also a full-service aesthetic center, patients can optimize their time and look by indulging in spa treatments while their restoration is being fabricated.

What personal attributes make a good cosmetic dentist?

You have to be a good listener, especially because what one person thinks is aesthetic may not be what the patient is really looking for. I listen to each of my patients to get a sense of what they want and need, and then explain to them how I am going to accomplish it and turn it into a reality for them.

How do you alleviate dental fear?

We offer a safe, pill form of oral sedation because we see a lot of patients with dental phobia of all sorts—everything from a filling to a surgery—and we aim to make their experience as comfortable as possible. 

What is your most-requested cosmetic treatment?

Definitely Smile Makeovers, which can include the use of teeth whitening procedures, porcelain veneers, inlays and crowns or a combination of these. Nowadays with so many of the Baby Boomers entering retirement, they have the means and the funds to achieve their goals of looking younger and continuing an active lifestyle. These patients know that their teeth play an important role in their overall appearance, and I can help them reach their goals with a Smile Makeover. Whether it’s whitening or lengthening, the results of the Smile Makeovers I’ve performed have allowed me to help change many patient’s lives. It’s how our tagline came to be, ‘Changing lives, one smile at a time,’ because I had patient’s tell me that they were afraid to smile for decades and now they’ve found a renewed confidence—some have even returned to the workforce. I truly believe that no matter how much plastic surgery you get, or how you dress and style your hair, a your look will never be complete without a great smile.

About me:

Tell us about your training.

I just completed a year-long continuum at the Pacific Implant Institute in Vancouver, BC. As a dental surgeon, I can offer dental implant surgery and restoration to my patients without the inconvenience of sending them to another doctor with whom they have no rapport.

Why did you become a cosmetic dentist?

I knew I wanted to be a dentist from the time I was 10. I gravitated toward cosmetic dentistry because it allows me to express my creativity.


What do you enjoy most about your job?

I don’t think of it as a job—I love what I do and that I can give somebody a better quality of life.

What are you reading now?

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. 

What do you do to unwind?

My wife and I are very active—we love snowboarding, mountain biking and relaxing at the beach.

What’s one thing you would never want to be without?

It’s two things—my wife and my iPhone! 

What are you most proud of?

Completing my surgical training and being able to provide this service to my patients.

Education & Credentials

EDUCATION:

AFFILIATIONS:

  • American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery
  • American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
  • American Academy of Implant Dentistry

Q&A

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smilemakeover

SMILE MAKEOVER

What are crowns and when are they used? Do you need to alter my natural teeth?

 

Crowns are often referred to as "caps". It is like putting a new "top" on a tooth.  They are used when the restoration needed  is too large to use a white composite filling. Crowns are made from a porcelain material that is much stronger than the composite fillings and therefore holds up much better to chewing pressure. As far as "altering" the tooth, the tooth is  shaped removing any decay or cracks and any old filling material. The end result should look like a beautiful natural tooth that hasn't had anything done to it. There is a "full crown" which completely covers the existing tooth and comes down to the gums on all sides, or a "partial crown" which is more conservative and only replaces the defective part of the natural tooth. It is always a good idea to be as conservative as possible and keep as much of the natural tooth as you can. There is a technology available that uses  Cad Cam technology allowing your dentist to design and make the crown on site. The benefit of this technology is the proceedure can be finished in one appointment rather than having to send it out to a lab to be made requiring a 2nd appointment. The end result is also a stronger and more beautiful natural looking tooth.

Can a gum lift erase my gummy smile and how much will it hurt?

Depending on how much your gums are exposed when you smile, a gum lift can erase a patients gummy smile and give them the confidence they need to show off those big pearly whites. These procedures are typically done with local anesthesia to make you comfortable and sometimes coupled with fillers to give the patient a fuller lip thus eliminating the gummy smile.

How are stem cells used in dentistry?

This is still a subject that is in research but theoretically stem cells can be saved from extracted teeth and banked for future use to regenerate diseased cells and tissue in the mouth and body. Stem cells are cells that have not yet evolved into specific cells (i.e., skin cells, liver cells) They can be extracted from bone marrow and the umbilical cord and stored for future use. These procedures can be expensive and in the case of bone marrow - invasive. Teeth that have to be extracted anyway have been found to also be a rich source. The advantage is if a person receives their own stem cells and avoids the rejection issue that can be a problem with stem cells from a donor. Talk to your dental professional and ask them if they are a Stem Save provider to take advantage of your extracted teeth

How do you replace teeth that are missing?

There are really 3 types of procedures one can do to replace missing teeth. The first is a removable partial or full denture. There are many problems that occur from the wearing of a denture that will eventually cause the patient to stop wearing it or have to replace or repair it. The second option is a traditional bridge that is fixed in the mouth. This was the gold standard for many years but the problems with these are one has to usually sacrifice 2 good teeth in order for the bridge to fit over the missing tooth or teeth. Also, the lifespan of a bridge is around 15 years. The third option is a dental implant. This has become the new gold standard for missing teeth. The benefits are it is fixed, no adjacent teeth are sacrificed and once the implant is integrated you can expect it to last a lifetime. There is almost nothing that prevents you from being a candidate nowadays so check with your dental professional!

Can you get a cavity in a crown?

Patients often ask me if they can still get a cavity on a tooth even if they have a crown placed on it? The answer is YES. If a crown is poorly fabricated and does not fit properly bacteria can invade the open margin and produce a cavity underneath the crown. Also, some of the older cements that were used to cement crowns will become soluble in your saliva with time and eventually wash out causing an open margin and again allowing bacteria to invade underneath the crown and cause a cavity. With the more modern adhesives that are on the market today we don’t cement crowns anymore but instead are bonding crowns to a tooth which has a much better seal on the tooth and decreases the chance of recurrent decay. Lastly, the fit of crowns is so important that with todays technology using digital dentistry we can fabricate a crown using a computer in the same day.  The crown is better fitting, stronger, and more aestheticly pleasing!

Why do you do three to five consultations for smile makeovers?

Depending on the extent of the case and if there are other doctors involed, you ususally do not need quite so many.  Your doctor should be able to address any concerns or desires in the initial consult.  In the second appointment, if not the first, your doctor should be able to commence treatment.  If the patient is committed and ready for treatment, generally speaking 1-2 appointments should be more than enough to have mutual success. 

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VENEERS

When do you need crowns instead of veneers?

By definition a veneer is nothing more than a partial crown. That being said I will always try to be conservative in my approach to restoring teeth whenever possible and doing veneers over crowns is just that. We charge the same for either restoration which takes the price out of the equation as to which one to use and really let the tooth dictate how to proceed. For instance, if you have a tooth with lots of old fillings that will need to be removed and there isn’t a lot of tooth structure remaining I will then go with a crown for a bit more structural stability. Also, if I need to change the patients bite then I have more flexibility with a crown over a veneer. Again, conservation of tooth structure is always the goal so if we there isn’t any chance of loss of structural integrity or aesthetics then I would go with a veneer.

How can I whiten my veneers?

Unfortunately they will need to be replaced because you will not be able to lighten your veneers with bleach due to the color stability of porcelain. That is why I recommend whitening your natural teeth prior to starting veneers and then color matching the lighter shade of your teeth. I usually recommend my patients to wait about a week after their in-office whitening treatment prior to choosing the shade for their veneers, as teeth are often still whitening after the treatment. Sometimes the tooth structure beneath the veneer darkens over time causing the tooth to look darker. In this situation you have to redo the veneer to lighten the color.

Before & After

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  • Braces

    Before

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    After

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    Invisalign
    Female, Age: 35-44
  • Braces

    Before

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-invisalign-b

    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-invisalign-b
    Invisalign
    Female, Age: 35-44
  • Smile Makeover

    Before

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    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-smile-makeover-b
    Smile Makeover
    Male, Age: 45-54
  • Smile Makeover

    Before

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    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-smile-makeover-b
    Smile Makeover
    Male, Age: 45-54
  • Veneers

    Before

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-invisalign-b

    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-invisalign-b
    Veneers
    Female, Age: 35-44
  • Veneers

    Before

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-invisalign-b

    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-invisalign-b
    Veneers
    Female, Age: 35-44
  • Veneers

    Before

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    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-b
    Veneers
    Female, Age: 35-44
  • Veneers

    Before

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    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-veneers-b
    Veneers
    Female, Age: 35-44
  • Veneers

    Before

    dr-michael-fulbright-smile-makeover-b

    After

    dr-michael-fulbright-smile-makeover-b
    Veneers
    Male, Age: 45-54
Next

Videos

Snoring Sleep Apnea Treatment Redondo Beach - Fulbright Cosmetic & Reconstructive Dentistry
Dr. Michael T. Fulbright
Is this a common theme in your household? Turn to the professionals in Redondo Beach at Michael Fulbright D.D.S. We work with a board certified sleep doctor who can diagnose the severity of your sleep apnea, based off of a sleep test you can administer in the convenience of your own home. Dr. Fulbright & team can help determine if an oral appliance is the best option for treating your sleep apnea, as opposed to the bulky & uncomfortable CPAP machine. 

For more detailed information on sleep apnea and snoring treatments or other cosmetic dentistry options offered at Michael Fulbright, D.D.S. - please visit our website or contact us directly.
Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Redondo Beach (CA) - Michael Fulbright D.D.S.
Dr. Michael T. Fulbright

In this video, take a look inside Michael Fulbright Aesthetic & Reconstructive Dentistry of Redondo Beach, California. We are a full service dental practice specializing in: porcelain veneers, Invisalign orthodontics, dental implants, teeth whitening, smile designs, smile makeovers and much more. Dr. Michael Fulbright & his exceptional dental team take great pride in adhering to standards of excellence and integrity through all phases of dental treatment. We utilize only state-of-the-art equipment and systems in our office as a means of achieving safe & predictable patient results to make you look and feel your very best. For more detailed information on cosmetic and restorative procedures performed by Dr. Michael Fulbright please visit our website or contact us directly to schedule your 1-on-1 personal consultation.

Dr. Michael Fulbright Gives Back To The Community - Redondo Beach
Dr. Michael T. Fulbright

In this video, learn more about the outpouring of community support for a Long Beach man that was the unfortunate victim of a hate crime. The communities of Long Beach & Redondo Beach came together to host a fundraiser for the victim at the Algeria Cocina restaurant. 


Additionally, our very own Dr. Michael Fulbright chose to personally involve himself by providing complimentary dental work to the victim. For more detailed information on cosmetic dentistry options provided by Dr. Michael Fulbright at Michael Fulbright DDS in Redondo Beach, please visit our website or contact us directly.

Testimonials

Top-flight dentist in the South Bay
Anonymous PAtient
Dr. Fulbright and his staff are first rate. Appointments are on time, very friendly and professional assistants, and Dr. Fulbright's dental work is exceptional. If you are looking for a top-flite dentist in the South Bay, you've found him!
I am ecstatic!
Anonymous Patient
Hi Margie, I received a call from Dr. Fulbright this morning, but my day has been beyond busy. So since I have not had a chance to call back yet, I wanted to at least respond by email to report that I completely LOVE my new teeth!! I am ecstatic! I am looking forward to going to Del Mar this coming weekend, and loving all of the candid weekend pics that will surely be taken!

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Contact

Locations

Primary Location
1815 Via El Prado
Ste. 200
Redondo Beach, CA, 90277
Ph: 310.316.4477

Doctor Q&A

 

Depending on how much your gums are exposed when you smile, a gum lift can...

This is still a subject that is in research but theoretically stem cells can...

Patients should look for a professional who has ample experience and has...

What's New

In order to provide our patients with the necessary tools to accomplish all of their cosmetic dentistry needs, we make sure to offer the latest effective treatments and technologies. Our patients now have the option to receive Six Month Smiles—short-term orthodontics for those who are looking for more of a cosmetic result versus a corrective result such as a bite issue. “It’s a great way to get the teeth into position in order to effectively place veneers or other restorations,” says Dr. Fulbright. “The brackets are clear with white ceramic wire, and not removable like Invisalign®, but the Six Month Smile process tends to be shorter and less expensive with more predictable results.”

Dr. Fulbright also offers a new surgical sinus lift procedure, in which he uses an internal approach instead of the standard lateral wall method. “When a patient needs a dental implant in their upper jaw to support a restoration, most of the time the sinus is in the way and we actually have to lift it to expose more tissue for the procedure to be successful,” says Dr. Fulbright. “With the addition of this surgical technique to our practice, we are now able to place implants in the upper jaw where we weren’t able to place them in the past.”

The Doctor Speaks