Cosmetic dental treatment includes a range of procedures intended to change aspects of the teeth, gums or overall smile.
At Smile Design Studio in Mosman Park, Perth, treatment planning begins with a discussion of your concerns and an assessment of your oral health. Depending on your circumstances, options may include teeth whitening, veneers, composite bonding, crowns, clear aligners, gum contouring or dental implants.
Not every treatment is appropriate for every patient. The potential benefits, limitations, costs and risks should be considered before deciding whether to proceed.
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is a general description for dental care primarily intended to alter dental appearance. It is not a recognised dental specialty in Australia.
Some procedures may also have restorative or functional purposes, but cosmetic treatment is often elective. Treatment may involve changing the colour, shape, position or proportions of teeth or gums.
Before cosmetic treatment, a registered dental practitioner should assess:
- Your teeth and existing restorations
- Your gum and periodontal health
- Your bite
- Tooth wear, cracks or decay
- Your dental and medical history
- Your treatment goals
- Your ability to maintain the proposed result
Any active disease or urgent dental concern may need to be managed before elective cosmetic treatment is considered.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening uses a bleaching agent to lighten the appearance of natural teeth.
It may reduce the appearance of some stains associated with food, drinks, tobacco use or ageing. Results vary according to the type of discolouration, the starting shade and other individual factors.
In-chair whitening
Whitening gel is applied at the dental practice and monitored by the dental team. The appointment time and procedure vary according to the product and individual treatment plan.
Take-home whitening
Custom trays and whitening gel are provided with instructions for use at home over a recommended period.
Whitening does not change the colour of fillings, crowns, veneers or other restorations. Existing restorations may appear different from the whitened natural teeth and could require separate replacement if a colour match is desired.
Possible side effects include temporary tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Whitening is not suitable for everyone, and no particular shade can be guaranteed.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are restorations bonded to the front surfaces of teeth. Depending on the circumstances, they may be considered for concerns involving:
- Tooth colour
- Chipped or worn teeth
- Irregular tooth shape
- Minor spacing concerns
- Differences in tooth size or proportion
Veneers are commonly made from porcelain or composite resin.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are made outside the mouth by a dental laboratory. Treatment usually involves planning, tooth preparation where required, digital scans or impressions and a later appointment to assess and bond the veneers.
Some natural tooth structure may need to be removed. The amount depends on the tooth position, proposed design and clinical circumstances. Tooth preparation is generally irreversible, and the treated tooth will probably require an ongoing restoration.
Composite veneers
Composite resin is applied and shaped directly on the teeth. Treatment may sometimes be completed in one appointment and may involve less tooth preparation in selected cases.
Composite resin may stain, chip or wear and can require maintenance, repair or replacement.
Neither porcelain nor composite veneers are automatically the better choice. Suitability depends on your teeth, bite, preferences and willingness to accept the relevant risks and maintenance.
Composite dental bonding
Composite bonding involves applying tooth-coloured resin to selected areas of a tooth. Depending on the circumstances, it may be considered for:
- Repairing a small chip
- Changing aspects of tooth shape
- Closing a minor space
- Masking selected surface discolouration
Bonding can sometimes be completed in one visit and may require little or no tooth preparation. However, this varies between cases, and the procedure should not automatically be described as reversible.
Composite resin can stain, wear, chip or detach. It may require polishing, repair or replacement over time. Its appearance and lifespan cannot be guaranteed.
Porcelain and ceramic crowns
A dental crown covers most or all of the visible portion of a tooth above the gumline.
Crowns are generally used when a tooth requires substantial restoration, such as after significant damage, a large filling or root canal treatment. A crown may also change the visible shape or colour of a tooth.
Materials may include ceramic, zirconia, metal-ceramic or other options. The appropriate material depends on the tooth, bite, aesthetic considerations and clinical requirements.
Crown treatment requires removal of tooth structure and is irreversible. Possible complications include sensitivity, gum changes, fracture, decay at the crown margin and the potential need for repair, replacement or root canal treatment.
A crown should not generally be recommended solely for appearance when a less invasive option is suitable.
Invisalign and other clear aligners
Clear aligners are removable orthodontic appliances used in sequence to move teeth gradually. Invisalign is one brand of clear aligner system.
Clear aligners may be considered for selected tooth-position and bite concerns. Suitability depends on the type and complexity of movement required, oral health and the patient’s ability to wear the aligners as directed.
Treatment may involve:
- Digital scans or impressions
- A planned series of aligners
- Tooth-coloured attachments
- Interproximal enamel reduction in selected cases
- Regular progress reviews
- Retainers following treatment
Aligners usually need to be worn for most of the day and removed for eating and cleaning. Treatment time and outcomes vary. Some patients may require refinement aligners or an alternative orthodontic approach.
Possible complications include discomfort, gum irritation, tooth decay, gum problems, root changes and incomplete or unstable movement. Long-term retainer wear is generally required to reduce unwanted tooth movement after treatment.
Gum contouring
Gum contouring changes the shape or position of selected gum tissue. It may be considered when the gum margins are uneven or when a person is concerned about the amount of gum visible while smiling.
Visible gum display can have different causes, including:
- Tooth shape or position
- Gum position or thickness
- Lip movement
- Jaw proportions
- Altered tooth eruption
The cause should be assessed before treatment is recommended. Gum contouring alone may not address every cause.
Treatment may involve a laser or conventional surgical techniques. Depending on the anatomy, bone reshaping or referral to another practitioner may be considered.
Possible risks include pain, bleeding, infection, gum recession, sensitivity, tissue regrowth and changes in tooth proportions. Healing and outcomes vary.
Dental implants
Dental implants are fixtures placed surgically into the jawbone. They may support a crown, bridge or removable dental prosthesis.
Implants are one option for replacing missing teeth. Suitability depends on factors including:
- Available jawbone
- Gum and dental health
- General health
- Medications
- Smoking
- Bite forces
- Oral hygiene and maintenance
Implant treatment involves surgery. Possible complications include pain, swelling, infection, delayed healing, altered sensation, sinus complications, gum recession, bone loss and failure of the implant to integrate or remain stable.
Implants and their restorations require ongoing care and may need repair, maintenance or replacement. They do not behave exactly like natural teeth, and their lifespan cannot be guaranteed.
What is a smile makeover?
A “smile makeover” is a marketing term commonly used to describe a treatment plan involving more than one cosmetic or restorative procedure.
Depending on a patient’s circumstances, a plan might include whitening, bonding, orthodontic treatment, veneers, crowns or replacement of missing teeth.
More treatment is not necessarily better. A considered plan should aim to preserve healthy tooth structure where possible and only include procedures that are clinically appropriate and accepted by the patient.
Digital simulations and mock-ups may assist with communication and planning. They do not guarantee that the final result will appear identical.
What are the risks of cosmetic dental treatment?
Risks vary according to the procedure but may include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Removal of healthy tooth structure
- Gum irritation or recession
- Changes to the bite
- Chipping, staining or fracture
- Colour differences
- Tooth decay around restorations
- The need for root canal treatment
- Repair or replacement costs
- An outcome that differs from expectations
Cosmetic dental restorations have a limited lifespan and generally require ongoing maintenance. No treatment can guarantee a particular appearance, improvement in confidence or permanent result.
Your dentist should explain the material risks and reasonable alternatives relevant to your proposed treatment.
Choosing a dentist for cosmetic treatment in Perth
“Cosmetic dentist” is not a recognised specialist title in Australia. Cosmetic dental procedures may be provided by registered dentists whose education, training and experience can vary.
Before proceeding, consider asking:
- Is the practitioner registered?
- What training and experience do they have with the proposed treatment?
- Are there more conservative alternatives?
- How much natural tooth structure will be removed?
- What are the risks in my circumstances?
- What maintenance is likely to be required?
- What happens if a restoration chips or fails?
- What is included in the quotation?
- Can I take time to consider the treatment plan?
- Would a second opinion be appropriate?
You should not feel pressured to make an immediate decision about elective cosmetic treatment.
What happens during a cosmetic dental consultation?
A consultation may include:
- Discussion of your concerns and treatment preferences
- Review of your medical and dental history
- Examination of your teeth, gums and bite
- Dental photographs
- X-rays or scans when clinically indicated
- Discussion of suitable treatment options
- Explanation of risks and alternatives
- A proposed treatment sequence
- An itemised quotation
Further examination or planning may be needed before a definitive treatment plan can be provided.
Discuss your cosmetic dental options
To discuss cosmetic dental treatment in Perth, contact Smile Design Studio in Mosman Park on (08) 9468 3322 or request a consultation online.
Attending a consultation does not obligate you to proceed. Following an assessment, your dentist can explain the options that may be suitable for your circumstances, together with their risks, limitations, likely maintenance and costs.
Important information
This article provides general information for adults and does not replace individual dental or medical advice. Treatment suitability, risks, costs, maintenance and outcomes vary between patients. No particular aesthetic result, health benefit or treatment lifespan can be guaranteed. A clinical assessment is required before
