Guide to La Jolla for Dental Care

Surrounded on three sides by the sea and a rugged coastline, La Jolla definitely lives up to its nickname, “the jewel” of San Diego. With natural beauty, beautiful beaches, a famous public golf course, fine dining, luxury shopping, a rich array of outdoor attractions, and first-class dental and medical services, La Jolla is a great place for getting your dental care done with Dr. Sabourin! 

La Jolla is also home to the University California San Diego, with an impressive campus covering 1,976 acres. UCSD is one of the world’s leading public research universities and ranked #34 in the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges, National University” rankings. 

La Jolla Attractions and Activities 

Artifacts indicate Native Americans settled along the shoreline nearly 10,000 years ago in what is now La Jolla. The name may originate from the Spanish word La Joya (jewel), which partially explains its nickname, or the Indian term Woholle (hole in the mountains), associated with caves and rock formations along La Jolla’s shoreline. La Jolla was incorporated as part of San Diego in 1850. 

La Jolla is consistently voted one of the top beach destinations in the world. You can choose from a wide range of five-star accommodations—from luxurious resorts—to laid-back beachfront rentals. Museums and art galleries, unique boutiques, fine dining, and a wide array of outdoor activities await visitors. 

Beaches: La Jolla Shores ranks at the top of nearly every best La Jolla beach list. Other jewels include La Jolla Cove, Shell Beach, and Marine Street Beach. Since the 1960s, Windansea Beach has been a favorite surfing beach, even for novices. 

Seal and Sea Lion Watching: Located close to downtown La Jolla, Children’s Pool Beach was once a popular destination for gentle swimming. While swimming is now discouraged, the walkway is open to the public and offers one-of-a-kind views of the surrounding seascape, Seal Rock, and a colony of harbor seals. 

Torrey Pines Golf Course: With spectacular ocean views and two world-class 18-hole courses, it’s not surprising this public golf course was ranked the “best” place to golf in San Diego Union-Tribune and San Diego Magazine reader polls. Golfweek Magazine also included it in their list of “America’s Best Municipal Courses.’’ 

Torrey Pines Gliderport: Tandem paragliding takes you over dramatic cliffs and the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll enjoy a birds-eye view of awe-inspiring beaches, the Torrey Pines Golf Course, and glorious mansions. 

Birch Aquarium: As the public outreach center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, this aquarium features a remarkable variety of colorful marine life in more than 60 habitats, including delightful seahorses and Little Blue Penguins.

Westfield UTC Mall: In addition to many high-end shops and restaurants, this upscale outdoor mall offers a free concierge service that truly makes it feel like a resort experience. A mini dog park, family-friendly amenities, and 70 original art pieces created exclusively by San Diego artists are among its highlights. 

Dentistry and Medical Care in La Jolla

Many of the best dentists in the country start their practices in La Jolla, including specialists. Whether you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry, periodontal therapy, orthodontics or any other facet of dentistry, you’ll likely find an excellent dentist such as Dr. Sabourin in La Jolla. 

To find the best practice to fit your needs, start by doing online research, including reading reviews on Yelp, Google, and ZocDoc or ask for personal recommendations. 

Dr. Sabourin’s practice is located on the campus of top-rated Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and adjacent to UCSD. With more than 35 years of experience, Dr. David Sabourin has earned a stellar reputation in La Jolla and further afield by combining trusted techniques and outstanding materials with a highly personalized and caring approach to dentistry. 

La Jolla Medical Care 

Boasting 13 facilities in La Jolla alone, UCSD Health was ranked #1 in San Diego and #5 in California, according to the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report “Best Hospitals” survey. Scripps La Jolla Hospitals also ranked high in this survey for orthopedics, cardiology and heart surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, gastroenterology and GI surgery, and urology. Specialty facilities in La Jolla include an eye institute, cancer institute, cardiovascular center, and a clinical and translational research institute.

Dental Procedures Commonly Performed in La Jolla

La Jolla dental practices offer a wide spectrum of services, from routine care such as teeth cleaning to major procedures like full mouth reconstruction. Whether you experience a sudden toothache on the first day of your dream La Jolla vacation or wish to schedule cosmetic dentistry ahead of your trip, a highly qualified La Jolla dentist like Dr. Sabourin can help restore your oral health and smile aesthetics. 

This is a brief overview of common dental procedures: 

Teeth Whitening: Office-based teeth whitening solutions use professional-grade bleaching agents that are far more effective than over-the-counter products. In just one visit, they can brighten teeth by many shades and restore your pearly whites to their radiant best. 

Dental Implants: Unlike other tooth replacement options, dental implants offer the stability of natural teeth, prevent bone loss and associated facial changes, and stimulate new bone growth. They’re designed to look and function like natural teeth and offer unsurpassed versatility, longevity, durability, and natural-looking aesthetics. 

Porcelain Veneers:  Made from ultra-thin, high-quality ceramic, veneers are a cost-effective method for concealing flaws in your smile zone, such as discoloration, small chips, and misshapen teeth. 

Invisalign: Invisalign treatment is an effective option for moderate misalignment and overbite, crossbite, or underbite. The clear aligners are far more comfortable and discreet than traditional braces. 

Periodontal Therapy: Prompt gum disease treatment is essential for preventing inflammation or an infection from worsening and causing bone and tooth loss, as well as systemic health problems. A deep cleaning eliminates plaque and tartar below the gum line. 

Sedation Dentistry: Dental anesthesia will help you feel calm and relaxed during dental procedures. It’s important to choose a practice credentialed to administer a full range of sedation options, especially if you’re planning major work. 

Dental Insurance and Costs in La Jolla 

If you’re considering going to La Jolla to see a dentist like Dr. Sabourin, call your insurance carrier to find out what is covered under your policy when traveling. Keep in mind that cosmetic dentistry isn’t covered by insurance whether at home or traveling, therefore, it shouldn’t be a factor in selecting a dental practice. 

Certain parts of the country and geographical areas have a higher overall cost of living, which contributes to higher dental and medical costs. While dental care may be less expensive in rural areas, a far greater number of state-of-the-art dentistry practices that offer better care are available in urban metropolitan areas. 

Preparing for Your Dental Visit to La Jolla 

When you visit Dr. Sabourin, you’ll enjoy complimentary parking, an elegant and soothing practice setting, televisions and music in treatment rooms, and your choice of sedation. We ask that you download and complete our New Patient Forms and either submit them ahead of time or bring them to your first appointment. And feel free to bring your own music or a favorite book to read while you wait. 

Schedule a Visit Today with Dr. Sabourin, a Top La Jolla Dentist 

Since 1987, Dr. Sabourin has developed a reputation for providing exceptional general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry delivered with state-of-the-art technologies and a compassionate touch. Thanks to his longstanding dedication to providing extraordinary dental care, Dr. Sabourin received a top dentist in San Diego award in consecutive years. Patients in La Jolla, greater San Diego, throughout California, the U.S., and other parts of the world visit his practice to restore their smile function and beauty! 

When you choose Dr. Sabourin for destination dentistry, you’ll enjoy a relaxing and comfortable five-star dental experience, and a wonderful getaway to the “jewel” of San Diego. From unrivaled natural beauty and great accommodations—to an eclectic choice of restaurants and sightseeing attractions, your trip to La Jolla will be unforgettable!

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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