Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers?

Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers?

Whether you are looking for a total smile makeover or just to have a few visual changes to your teeth, today’s dental veneers are a popular and proven option. There are two types of dental veneers used across Australian dental clinics: porcelain and composite resin. Which one is right for you comes down to multiple factors, which we’ll discuss below. Whenever you’re ready to get started, our friendly staff are available to schedule your free smile assessment with our Perth cosmetic dentist. The Difference Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers Porcelain veneers are custom made thin shells of porcelain which are fixed to the outer-surface of a tooth. Composite veneers are engineered usually in the dentist’s office of white resin material which is applied and shaped to the outer surface of the tooth. Both are made to match your tooth’s natural colour, or even to whiten your smile. The main difference is the material used and where it’s manufactured. To the untrained eye, they both look very similar. Time Composite resin veneers are done at our dental clinic in a single appointment, so it’s much quicker than getting porcelain veneers. In the hands of Perth’s experienced cosmetic dentist – Dr Vicky Ho – the resin will be colour matched to the shade of your surrounding teeth for the most natural look. If you are looking for a whiter look, Dr Ho will select a whiter color to get the desired effect. Once the resin is added to your teeth, cured and then polished, you’ll walk out with a fab new smile! Porcelain veneers typically take at least two visits because...
The Benefits of a Smile Makeover – What You Need to Know in 2021

The Benefits of a Smile Makeover – What You Need to Know in 2021

When you have a great smile, people generally feel more confident and more attractive. However, people are rarely born with a “perfect smile”. Genetics, life and even trauma can do a number on your teeth’s appearance. Most of our patients here at Smile Design Studio ask about improving their smile – even if it’s just a session of professional teeth whitening treatment. Sometimes a crown or veneer can correct a minor cosmetic concern, and the patient is very happy. In other cases, a lot of work may be needed, so we’ll use a combination of treatments for a complete smile makeover, customised for your individual smile. A smile makeover dramatically transforms and improves the look of your smile as well as correcting issues that could impact your oral health and bite. For the best results, we design a customised and comprehensive plan of care to help you reach your goals so you’ll end up with a smile you’ll love!. What’s Involved? A smile makeover begins with an in-depth free smile assessment, where we evaluate your entire mouth, including teeth, gums, bite mechanics, jaw bone and general oral health. We’ll ask you about your concerns and how you’d like your teeth to look. You can check out our gallery of before and after smile makeovers to get an idea of what’s possible. The possibilities are endless! The next step is where Dr Vicky will go over the various treatment options and create a customised plan that will address all your needs. If there are pre-existing dental issues, we’ll need to address those first in order to give the best final...
New Year, New Smile

New Year, New Smile

With a new year often comes resolutions. Common goals include losing weight, making more money and looking more youthful. If you’d like to feel better about your appearance in 2021, a dazzling smile is a great place to start. Many research studies have shown just how much smiling impacts your emotional and mental health. However, if you don’t like the look of your smile, you may be less inclined to show off your teeth. Fortunately, your cosmetic dentist in Perth has many ways to improve your smile, sometimes in just 1 or 2 visits. Smiling Increases Confidence and Happiness The benefits of smiling have been documented in numerous studies. Here’s how an improved smile can benefit you in 2021 and beyond: Happiness. Smiling makes you feel happier, even if you don’t feel like smiling. The simple act of smiling triggers chemicals in the brain that improve your mood. Researchers have even found that smiling stimulates the same areas of your brain as when you eat chocolate. Smile more, feel great! No chocolate needed! Stress reduction. Who doesn’t want less stress in their life as you leave behind the challenges of 2020 and head into 2021? The simple act of smiling can reduce the heart rate and other physiological responses to stress in difficult situations. How people respond to you. A nice smile can change the way people see you. If you like the way your teeth look, you tend to smile at other people, which in turn helps others see you as a more likeable person. A Cosmetic Dentist Can Help If you’ve been putting off doing something about...
Turn Back the Clock with Teeth Whitening

Turn Back the Clock with Teeth Whitening

Have you heard the saying that your eyes are the window to the soul? Perhaps your smile is the front door! One of the first things we notice about a person is their smile and it sets our initial impression of them. However, some people hide their smile for fear that it doesn’t measure up against social expectations. A very popular cosmetic dental option these days is professional teeth whitening. Appearance is usually the initial motivation behind having a tooth whitening treatment, since aging, trauma or even disease has done a number on the brightness of your smile. Recently, Dr Vicky was published in The West Australian, a local Perth newspaper regarding ways to look younger. The focus on her article was the positive effects teeth whitening can have on your appearance. You can read the full article by clicking this link. Aging and the Colour of Your Teeth Over time, eating stain producing foods like curries, berries and tomato sauce and drinks like coffee, wine, tea, soft drinks, the teeth become a bit discoloured. Staining happens gradually over time, and it may take years for you to notice a dullness in your smile. Even certain medicines like Tetracycline can have an effect on the colour of your teeth. Aging can also affect the colour of your teeth. Teeth naturally become more yellow as the darker coloured dentin underneath the enamel starts to show. When teeth are whitened, it not only takes years off your face, but it gives you an air of confidence that exudes health and youthfulness. Types of Treatments In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening Dr Vicky provides...
Braces and Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Braces and Adult Orthodontic Treatment

If you missed your chance to have have braces as a teenager, you might think you have to live with wonky misaligned teeth, or suffer with a mouth full metal brackets and wires. With modern orthodontic options such as Invisalign clear aligners, you can have the straight teeth you always wanted without the pain or embarrassment of traditional braces. Invisalign and Your Lifestyle Most adults don’t look forward to the idea of traditional bracket and wire braces and the frequent (sometimes painful) trips to the dentist office. With Invisalign, the process and experience is totally different. After your initial smile assessment, you’ll receive a set of clear plastic aligners – one for your top teeth and another for the lower teeth. Each tray is worn for a couple of weeks, which moves your teeth ever so slightly, then you’ll swap it out for a new tray. With each new tray, your teeth are gently nudges into the desired position. Since the aligners are made of clear plastic, they are virtually undetectable, so your friends and coworkers probably won’t even be aware you are having your teeth straightened. There are no food restrictions, unlike you would have with traditional braces, since you remove the aligners for eating and cleaning your teeth. Another positive is that you can brush and floss normally. We recommend you wear your Invisalign aligners for a minimum of 22 hours per day to ensure a successful and quick treatment. If you need to take them out for a special photograph for example, that’s fine, as long as you pop them back over your teeth when it’s...