Apart from fillings (and braces in some cases), cosmetic dentistry is almost never a “need”. No one really “needs” whiter teeth or a smile makeover, but everyone wants them. Therefore, cosmetic dentistry falls under the “want” rather than the “need” category. This of course does not apply to fillings that are definitely needed to prevent further damage to the teeth.

A variation of the smile makeover procedure. Snap-on smile is an easy, affordable solution made for people in a hurry, or those who don’t prefer filing and preparation of the teeth. It is a mold that fits on the outer surface of the teeth, drawn as a perfect smile, and correcting the shape and color of the teeth. It is removable (hence the name “Snap-On” and so requires no preparation, no shots, no pain and no damage to the teeth. Their only drawback is that they are quite fragile, so you should be restricted to a soft diet while wearing them.

Hollywood smile, Smile makeover, and dental makeover all point to the same form of treatment, and that is veneers. Veneers are a thin shell (about 0.3 – 0.5 mm thick) made of porcelain, that is attached to the outer layer of the teeth. These shells fix the shape, form, contour and color of the teeth on which they are attached. Veneers can be applied to a single tooth if the problem is localized (such as a fracture or a large decay in that tooth), or can be applied to all the front teeth visible in your smile, in which case it is named a smile makeover.

Yes of course. A number of options are available, such as braces, veneers and crowns. All of these can be helpful in fixing crooked teeth.

Cosmetic dental procedures are mostly elective, and most are quite invasive requiring teeth preparation or even surgery. That being said, in the right hands they are very safe and very reliable as well.

What most people don’t realize is that your smile is more than just teeth. The smile is composed of many variables, namely the teeth, lips, and gums. If your teeth are in perfect condition, but your gums look subpar, then your smile will be compromised, which is why gum reshaping is a big part of cosmetic dental treatments. In some cases, the gums could be enlarged due to gum disease or some types of medications, in which case removal of the cause of the problem is the main treatment. In other cases, the gums could be inherently larger than normal, or too much of it appears when you smile (called a gummy smile) and in that case, gum reshaping is essential for a beautiful smile. Gum reshaping could be done by lasers or through surgery.