Our cosmetic dental specialists know that your teeth aren’t just for chewing. Your smile is how you greet the most important people in your life and meet the new people who will matter to you in the future. Most importantly, your smile is an essential part of your self-image. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you should have a unique smile that helps you recognize and feel good about your unique self.

We understand that when you trust us with your smile, you’ve given us a sacred duty to honor, preserve, and, if possible, improve it. We take that very seriously, which is why we’ve devoted our careers to prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. This advanced training allows us to deliver restorative and aesthetic treatments that truly make you feel like smiling.

If you’re ready to explore what’s possible for your smile, call us at (310) 378-9261 to schedule your consultation today.

Dentist talking to her patient
Cosmetic Dentist talking to her patient

Meet Our Dental Experts

All the doctors at South Bay Prosthodontics are specialists: prosthodontists with additional training focused on restorative dentistry and work. They understand the techniques, tools, opportunities, and limitations of prostheses. When they tell you the results they can achieve, you can trust them to achieve those results.

Dr. A. Alejandra Rodriguez

Prosthodontist

Dr. A. Alejandra Rodriguez, DDS, is an accomplished prosthodontist and cosmetic dentist who brings advanced restorative and digital dentistry expertise to South Bay Prosthodontics. She earned both her Master of Science and Advanced Prosthodontics Residency from The Ohio State University, where she developed extensive experience in full-mouth rehabilitation and implant-supported care.

Her academic journey began at the Dominican University of California, where she graduated Cum Laude, and continued at USC, where she excelled in her DDS program and served as a teacher’s assistant. Dr. Rodriguez is passionate about community service and has volunteered with the USC Mobile Clinic and AYUDA to provide dental care to underserved populations.

As a fluent Spanish speaker and strong advocate for accessible care and patient education, she is known for her warm, confident approach and deep commitment to her patients. Dr. Rodriguez enhances our practice with both her clinical precision and dedication to modern, patient-centered care.

Dr. MariaElena Rodriguez

Prosthodontist & Dental Implant Surgeon

Dr. MariaElena “Malena” Rodriguez, DDS, is highly regarded for her work in prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthetics, and cosmetic dentistry, bringing nearly two decades of experience to Torrance. She completed her advanced education at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she also earned a geriatric fellowship, deepening her focus in prosthodontics and maxillofacial care.

Her training continued with a prestigious Fellowship in Implant Dentistry at Loma Linda University. As a mentor at UCLA and a leader within the American College of Prosthodontists, Dr. Rodriguez is dedicated to advancing dental education and supporting women in academia through her involvement with the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Her philosophy blends innovation with compassionate patient care, driving excellence in every aspect of her practice.

Dr. Michelle Ikoma

Prosthodontist

Dr. Michelle Ikoma, a distinguished cosmetic dentist, was selected for the exclusive ADAPT program, which allows students to enter dental school after just two years of undergraduate college. She then received her prosthodontist certification from the University of Southern California’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. Dr. Ikoma served as an educator at USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, including serving as Chair of Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.

Our Advanced Technology

At South Bay Prosthodontics, we understand the importance of finding the right tool for the job. It helps our cosmetic dentistry specialists utilize their skills to the fullest extent. We employ technologies that improve our results and help our patients enjoy a better dental experience.

Precise Implants Capture (PIC), for example, lets us capture the exact position and orientation of dental implants so we can craft restorations with optimal fit and function precisely.

Waterlase combines a powerful laser with a cooling jet of water to let us shape your teeth without the noise and discomfort associated with dental drills. In addition, we can use digital dentistry to scan your teeth and plan your treatment for highly accurate, comfortable, and convenient dentistry.

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FAQs

A prosthodontist is a recognized dental specialist in using prostheses to repair damaged teeth and improve the appearance of your teeth. This makes us the best choice for a restorative and cosmetic dentist in Torrance. 

A dental specialist is a dentist who undertakes additional training in a specialty area recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). They are certified by a board dedicated to that type of dentistry to prove that they have superior training and knowledge in that area. Many dentists will claim to be different types of dentists, but there are only a few types of recognized dental specialties, including prosthodontics. 

Dental implants are made of multiple parts. This includes the implant itself, which is surgically implanted in your jaw, and the visible part of the implant, the restoration. This makes placing implants a complicated procedure that involves knowledge from multiple dental specialties. If you work with just one dentist for your dental implant, that dentist is working outside their specialty for at least some of the procedure (and most dentists aren’t specialists in any part of the implant procedure). This can affect the level of care you receive. If you want specialist care for your entire dental implant procedure, it’s best to work with two dentists: one for the implant procedure and one for the restoration. 

At South Bay Prosthodontics, we are happy to work with your implant dentist, if you have one. We can also recommend an outstanding implant dentist if you need a referral. 

No. Although we are prosthodontists accepting referrals from doctors and dentists, you can contact us without a referral if you need our care. 

Yes. In fact, we recommend them. Any time you are considering a major dental procedure, it’s best to get a second opinion to be sure you are doing what’s best for your oral and overall health. 

Yes, we are happy to work with your dental insurance. We can help you understand your coverage and even check with your insurance to see how much coverage they offer before starting your procedure. However, it’s important to understand that dental insurance is notorious for failing to fulfill its promised coverage. 

We don’t coordinate dental financing in our office. However, there are many easily accessible financing options for dental procedures. We frequently work with these companies when our patients receive financing through them. 

As soon as possible. The sooner you involve a maxillofacial prosthodontist in the rehabilitation of orofacial trauma or defects, the better they can help you achieve optimal results. When your doctor tells you that a procedure might require rehabilitation during recovery, involve a maxillofacial prosthodontist in the planning to help prepare you for better results later.

Looking for Specialist Care in Torrance, CA?

South Bay Prosthodontics is a leading specialist practice in the Los Angeles area, renowned for our expert cosmetic dentists. We are currently accepting walk-in patients and referrals from doctors and dentists.

Please call (310) 378-9261 or use our online form today to request an appointment at our Torrance, CA, dental office.