Guide to Dental Care in San Diego

With near perfect year-round weather, a captivating 70-mile coastline, world-class attractions, and a sophisticated art, dining, and nightlife scene, San Diego is a top tourist destination. But “America’s Finest City” also has a reputation for highly acclaimed dental and medical care. 

Dental tourism isn’t about getting bargain-basement smiles—it’s about enjoying a beautiful city and returning home with a radiant new smile delivered by one of the best dentists in the country! 

Rest assured, San Diego offers a five-star vacation experience and first-class dental and medical services if you are seeing Dr. Sabourin. 

San Diego Attractions and Activities 

San Diego has a vibrant history and is often referred to as the “Birthplace of California” because it was the first site visited and settled by Europeans on what is now the U.S. West Coast. The city and its neighborhoods abound with historic landmarks, inspiring architecture, and magnificent natural beauty—from stunning beaches and Balboa Park to the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town. 

Beaches: From La Jolla and Mission to Coronado and Pacific Beach, San Diego is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. La Jolla Cove and Coronado Beach had the honor of being included in Tripadvisor’s recent list of top beaches in the U.S. 

Balboa Park: Minutes from downtown, 1,200-acre Balboa Park has a rich history reflected in its stunning architecture, thought-provoking exhibits, and year-round diverse cultural events. In addition to gorgeous gardens, Balboa Park is home to 17 museums, numerous galleries, performing arts venues, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. 

San Diego Zoo: Founded in 1916, the San Diego Zoo has long been considered one of the best zoos in the world. Across 100 acres, the zoo houses more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals and also has an accredited botanical garden with more than 700,000 individual plants. 

Gaslamp Quarter: Located in the heart and soul of downtown San Diego, this charming quarter offers a diverse selection of restaurants, intriguing shops, and entertainment options. Bars, clubs, cigar lounges, comedy shows, live music performances, and rooftop escapes await visitors looking to have a good time. 

Old Town: Within walking distance of a major transit center, historic Old Town is home to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and Presidio Park. Lush gardens and plazas, a huge array of restaurants and unique shops, strolling mariachis, and cultural events make Old Town a favorite tourist destination. 

Dining: In addition to serving up some of America’s most sought after Mexican cuisine, San Diego is known for its eclectic assortment of great restaurants. The choices are endless—hearty American favorites, sushi, seafood, Italian, French, farm to table, and many more delectable delights await diners. 

Dentistry and Medical Care in San Diego 

With an estimated 1,700 clinicians practicing dentistry in San Diego, you have a lot of choices. You can see a general dentist or a practitioner that specializes in a particular facet of dentistry. Depending on the needs of you and your family members, you may decide to schedule a consultation with a periodontist, orthodontist, prosthodontist, endodontist, oral surgeon, or pediatric dentist. The key is to research different types of dental professionals to find the best one to suit your needs. 

Every year, San Diego Magazine and the San Diego County Dental Society partner to honor excellence and professionalism in dentistry and publish the results. You can also check Yelp, Google, and ZocDoc to find out about a practice’s reputation or ask for personal recommendations. 

Since starting his dental career in 1987, Dr. David Sabourin has earned a stellar reputation by restoring smiles with an exquisite attention to detail. Thanks to his long standing dedication to providing extraordinary dental care, Dr. Sabourin received a top dentist in San Diego award in consecutive years. Patients in the San Diego community, throughout California, the U.S., and other parts of the world visit his practice to restore their smiles! 

San Diego Medical Care 

According to the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals survey, UC San Diego Health once again ranked #1 in San Diego and #5 in California, placing it among the nation’s best health care providers. Other top-rated institutions included Scripps La Jolla Hospitals, Sharp Memorial, Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente San Diego Zion and San Diego Medical Center. Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego ranked in the top 10 in four specialties in the publication’s Best Children’s Hospitals. 

Dental Procedures Commonly Performed in San Diego

You’ll find a full spectrum of dental services in San Diego, ranging from routine care such as dental cleanings to major medical procedures such as root canals and dental implants. Whether you lose a filling on the first day of a 10-day vacation in San Diego or are planning a smile makeover along with a dream vacation, a top-rated San Diego dentist like Dr. Sabourin can help restore your oral health and smile beauty.

Here is a brief overview of common dental procedures:

Porcelain Veneers: Veneers are a simple, yet highly effective and versatile restorative solution to fix cosmetic dental issues such as chipped, cracked, discolored, misshapen, or excessively spaced teeth. 

Teeth Whitening: Office-based teeth whitening with professional-grade bleaching agents can brighten your teeth multiple shades lighter in just one visit. 

Invisalign: This effective orthodontic treatment for a variety of bite issues relies on customized, discreet clear aligners that gradually and comfortably straighten your teeth instead of painful wires and brackets. 

Dental Implants: Dental implants are the most versatile tooth replacement option because they can support a single crown, a bridge, or several missing teeth in a row. They’re also the only option that offer the stability of natural teeth and prevent bone loss and facial changes associated with missing teeth. 

Periodontal Therapy: If you’re experiencing red, swollen, or tender gums that bleed when you brush, receiving prompt gum disease treatment is essential for protecting your smile, oral health, and systemic health.

Sedation Dentistry: Soothing customized sedation services helps ensure dental care is delivered with ultimate comfort. It’s important to choose a dental practice that is credentialed to administer a full range of dental anesthesia, especially if you’re planning major work. 

Dental Insurance and Costs in San Diego

In many cases, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan will allow you to choose any doctor/dentist who is in- or out-of-network with or without a referral. Call your company to find out what your benefits cover while traveling. Dental insurance policies typically don’t cover purely cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening or smile makeovers and may only cover the crown portion of dental implants. 

Certain parts of the country and geographical areas have a higher overall cost of living, which contributes to higher dental and medical costs. Typically, dental care may be less expensive in rural areas than in larger metropolitan cities, however, you have access to a far greater number of state-of-the-art dentistry practices in larger cities. 

Preparing for Your Dental Visit to San Diego 

When you call us to inquire about our services, our friendly team can answer any questions you have, including making recommendations for nearby accommodations. We’ll ask you to download and complete New Patient Forms and either submit them ahead of time or bring them to your initial appointment. 

Schedule a Visit Today with a Top San Diego Dentist 

Over the years, Dr. Sabourin has developed a reputation for providing exceptional cosmetic and restorative dentistry delivered with state-of-the-art technologies and a compassionate touch. His elegant practice is located on the campus of top-rated Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. 

When you choose Dr. Sabourin for destination dentistry, you’ll be treated to a relaxing and comfortable treatment experience and receive first-class dental care, but also enjoy everything America’s Finest City has to offer—from sparkling sandy beaches to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo! 

AUTHOR
Dr. David A. Sabourin, D.D.S.

Dr. Sabourin relocated to San Diego from Ann Arbor, Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan. He graduated at the top of his class with High Honors from the University of Detroit School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

Learn more about our team here.

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