What it is
Smile designing is a planning process rather than a single procedure. The shape, colour, alignment and proportion of your front teeth, and how much of them shows when you smile, are assessed, and a combination of treatments is proposed — which may include whitening, composite bonding, veneers, crowns or alignment. Gum health, decay and bite are addressed first, since cosmetic work built over untreated problems does not hold up.
When you might need it
- Chipped, worn or uneven front teeth
- Gaps or crowding you are conscious of
- Discolouration that has not responded to cleaning
- You want to understand the options before committing to anything
What happens during your visit
Photographs, a scan or impressions, and a discussion of what you want to change form the starting point. You are shown a proposed plan, often as a mock-up, with the treatments involved, the number of visits, which steps are reversible and which are not, and the cost — before any tooth is prepared. Results vary with the starting condition of your teeth.
Aftercare
Avoid biting hard objects with restored front teeth. Staining foods and drinks affect composite and whitened teeth, so cleaning habits matter. Periodic review keeps the work maintained, and some treatments need replacing over time.