In a city where a confident smile can say so much, few have shaped the conversation quite like Apa Aesthetic. Founded by renowned cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Apa in 2015, the globally recognized practice—now with studios in New York, Dubai, Miami and Los Angeles—has redefined modern dentistry through a careful blend of science, artistry and design. Apa’s approach is as much about how a smile feels as how it looks, inviting patients to discover a version of themselves that feels both natural and elevated. “We began as a dental office and pretty quickly became an international brand with a simple promise: restored teeth that look like teeth,” says Apa.
Born and raised in upstate New York, Apa knew early on that he wanted to pursue dentistry. He studied at New York University College of Dentistry, where as an alumnus he later founded the school’s first undergraduate aesthetics program and established a clinical education space that bears his name. From the beginning, his mission has been as much about experience as results, grounded in a belief that beauty should never erase individuality. In an era of over-edited perfection, Apa’s approach feels like a welcome departure—celebrating nuance, proportion and authenticity instead of symmetry alone. His work is instantly recognizable for those in the know, not because it looks “done,” but because it doesn’t.
This design-first philosophy comes to life inside the Los Angeles location, which opened in 2019 as the practice’s third global studio. Set within a discreet, state-of-the-art medical building in the heart of Beverly Hills, the space feels closer to a gallery than a clinic. An arched Barrisol light frames the entryway, while the front desk is anchored by a smooth Corian countertop floating above Apa’s signature Terrazzo flooring. Seven operatories surround a cutting-edge glass-walled laboratory, where visitors can observe Apa’s highly skilled artisans meticulously crafting porcelain veneers by hand.
The Los Angeles office also showcases Apa’s rotating personal art collection, as well as his line of oral care cosmetics, Apa Beauty. High-end amenities reinforce the luxury experience: cashmere Brunello Cucinelli blankets, neck pillows, CBD gumdrops, nitrous oxide, signature room diffusers, Bose noise-canceling headphones, ceiling-mounted screens for entertainment and more. “It’s essentially a spa,” says Apa’s Los Angeles associate, Dr. Charles Glaser. “Every detail reflects luxury and care. But beyond that, it’s about creating a place where patients feel valued and at ease.”
It’s that philosophy that has drawn an impressive roster of high-profile clients. Jennifer Lopez, most of the Kardashian/Jenner clan, Uma Thurman, Chris Appleton, Ashley Olsen, Emma Roberts, Rachel Zoe and Simon Cowell are among the bold-faced names who trust Apa Aesthetic for its refined, natural results. Yet for all its star power, the brand’s allure lies in something subtler: discretion. Apa and his team don’t post walls of celebrity photos or reveal names without permission. The patients who come here—from CEOs to Hollywood stars to regular local families—are drawn not only to the craftsmanship, but to the respect.
To lead the Los Angeles studio, Dr. Apa hand-selected a highly qualified group of associates, including Dr. Glaser, a Southern California native whose detail-driven artistry perfectly mirrors the brand’s ethos. Like Apa, Glaser is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, where they first crossed paths. “I immediately saw him as a mentor and role model. He’s the next generation of cosmetic dentistry,” Glaser says. “When I was moving back to LA, there happened to be an opening in his practice, and it really felt like the stars aligned.”
Although the office does offer more basic dental work, porcelain veneers remain the cornerstone of Apa Aesthetic. Each set is hand-crafted by master ceramists recruited from around the world—from Brazil and South America to Europe and Korea—all working side by side in the practice’s striking glass laboratory. “It’s truly bespoke,” Glaser says. “Every veneer is designed to complement a patient’s features and skin tone for a natural, harmonious result.”
The process, typically four carefully scheduled appointments that take place over three weeks—the amount of time needed to complete the construction of a full set of teeth—unfolds more like couture than care: design consultation, digital mock-ups, hand-sculpted temporaries and the final placement of individually shaped porcelain restorations. Between visits, Glaser and his team obsess over the smallest refinements—the way light moves across enamel, the translucency at the edge of a tooth, the way a smile changes in motion. “It has to look real and function flawlessly,” says Glaser, who was always artistically inclined and knew he wanted to become a dentist from a young age.
While the results speak for themselves, what truly sets Apa Aesthetic apart is its commitment to integrity and innovation. The team practices conservative dentistry, preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible while still achieving breathtaking results. “We are sculpting teeth precisely, not aggressively,” Glaser says. “It’s about honesty, integrity and results that look natural. Patients should never walk out looking like they ‘got their teeth done.’ It’s still them, just elevated.” And although the goal for many patients may start as cosmetic, the transformation almost always manifests in other ways. “Veneers aren’t just about vanity,” Glaser says. “They can restore oral health, improve bite function and enhance confidence.”
For Los Angeles’ discerning residents, Apa Aesthetic represents something rare: a sanctuary where artistry, discretion and wellness converge. “The work is physically and mentally demanding, but it’s all worth it when you see the gratitude and confidence in someone’s face,” Glaser says. “That moment of transformation—it’s why we do what we do.”
Apa Aesthetic
9400 Brighton Way, Suite 301, Beverly Hills
310-601-4288
apaaesthetic.com
“We became an international brand with a simple promise: restored teeth that look like teeth.”