Cosmetic dentistry has boomed in recent years and whether you're a bride-to-be looking to lock down your ideal smile and using the lead-up to your wedding as the perfect excuse, or you've had it with one particular crooked tooth – there have never been more options on the table, so where to start?
With so many cosmetic dentistry procedures available, how do you know which is right for you? From composite bonding to veneers, we've broken down some of the most popular treatments to help you decipher which might be your best option.
Grazia spoke with some of the UK's leading dentists, to help explain each treatment in granular detail. Here's everything you need to know…
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to a method of professional dental care that focuses on improving the appearance of your teeth. It's often elective – rather than essential – meaning you will have to pay for any treatments you book in for.
What Are Some Of The Most Popular Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments On Offer?
Composite Bonding Explained
‘Composite bonding is a minimally-invasive cosmetic treatment that improves the overall shape of your smile,’ explains Dr Stephen Dodd, Practice Owner of Ringway Dental near Manchester. ‘If you have teeth with uneven or chipped edges or teeth that you'd like lengthening, composite bonding could be a great option for you. It’s often used in conjunction with other treatments and is a particularly popular choice after orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign or teeth whitening.’
‘Similar to composite bonding are composite veneers, which cover the whole tooth and achieve a bigger difference in appearance.’
Dr Dodd answers some of the biggest questions about composite bonding and composite veneers below:
What does it involve?
‘For both composite bonding and composite veneers, a resin material (composite) is placed on the tooth. This is then hand-sculpted to achieve the most natural result and bonded with a curing light.’
How long does the process take?
‘As long as the teeth are straight, this treatment involves no preparation to your natural teeth. Meaning no damage. Composite bonding can be completed in one sitting. We often refer to it as a ‘same day smile makeover’. In just a few hours, your smile can be completely transformed.’
How much does it cost?
Costs vary depending on the dental practice and practitioner you visit. Expect to pay between £200-£600 per tooth.
How long does it last?
‘Composite treatment typically lasts 5-7 years with good maintenance,' explains Dr Stephen Dodd. 'Depending on your diet, it can stain over time and chip – but is easily repaired. A thorough hygiene visit is effective at removing stains and glowing up your composite again.’
Veneers Explained
‘Veneers are a layer of material placed over the tooth surface,' explains Cosmetic Dentist and Advanced Facial Aesthetician Dr Tara Francis. 'Think of a false nail sitting on top of a natural nail.’
‘Veneers can be made from different materials, for example composite or porcelain.’ They're a great option for those looking for a total smile makeover. Veneers can be created to bespoke your smile – whether that's helping to create a more aligned arch of the teeth, create longer-looking teeth, and/or slightly different contours.
With veneers, you have the option to choose different shades of colour and brightness, depending on the result you’re after.
What does it involve?
‘When it comes to veneers: it’s all in the planning,’ explains Dr Stephen Dodd. ‘At Ringway, we spend a lot of time with the patient, deciding on the right shape, colour and texture. It's important that the porcelain veneers look and feel as natural as possible.’
‘With all our porcelain veneer makeovers, a trial smile is created. It's the closest thing to try before you buy! Patients get to try on a mock up of how their porcelain veneers could look. From here, we review the shapes and fit and advise of any changes before the porcelain veneers are finally made.’
What are some common misconceptions?
‘A common misconception when it comes to veneers is that you’ll need to have your teeth ‘shaved’ down before treatment. This is not the case,’ explains Dr Tara Francis. ‘Veneers can require a little shaping or preparation to the teeth before fitting your final smile, particularly with porcelain, but there shouldn’t be any brutal filing down of your natural teeth involved.’
‘Another common misconception is that a lot of veneers look fake or blindingly white. Again, this isn’t true. Veneers can be crafted to suit your individual smile and preference, and are incredibly natural looking in their colour and shape. The colour, look and shape of your veneers is down to your personal preference.’
How long does the process take?
‘Porcelain veneers are made in the lab by technicians – under the close watch/instruction of our dentists,' explains Dr Dodd. 'From start to finish, patients can expect a porcelain veneer smile makeover to take 6-8 weeks. This will include appointments for planning, impressions, trial smile, final fit and review.’
How much does it cost?
The price of veneers is dependent on material choice, dentist expertise and experience, with prices spanning from £200-£1000 per tooth. 'At Ringway Dental, porcelain veneers start from £850 per tooth. With good maintenance and hygiene, they'll last 10+ years,' explains Dr Stephen Dodd.
Teeth Whitening Explained
While there are many at-home teeth whitening treatments, if you want long-lasting results, professional teeth whitening is the way to go. ‘Teeth whitening can be a great way to make a small change to the smile, delivering a big difference,’ says Dr Stephen Dodd. ‘After just a few weeks of whitening, a patient can expect a brighter, whiter smile.’
What does it involve?
‘Scans are taken of the patient’s teeth to make whitening trays. We take digital scans – which means no more sticky impression paste. Then, once the trays are made, tubes of whitening gel are provided and we advise the patient to put a very small drop along the bottom of the trays, and wear them overnight for around 2 weeks.’
How much does it cost?
Costs can vary but expect to pay around £250 for professional teeth whitening.
Invisible Aligners and Orthodontics: Explained
If you're concerned with crooked or overcrowded teeth, braces might be the way to go. These days, there are lots of discreet options out there, including invisible aligners – including brands like Invisilign.
‘Invisible aligners exert pressure on the teeth, causing them to progressively move to their correct position,’ explains Chief Orthodontist at Impress, Dr Khaled Kasem.
‘Most consultations should begin with x-rays and an oral exam, to obtain a detailed and in-depth image of your oral cavity. Your medical team should then have all the information they need to diagnose your case. They'll then suggest which treatment is better suited to you.’
‘Once your aligners are ready, they will either be sent directly to you or you will collect them in person. You'll need to wear them all the time, apart from at mealtimes. If you've worn your aligners correctly for the minimum recommended amount of time, chances are your teeth have moved as expected and you can then move on to the next stage of your aligners. On average you will be changing your invisible aligners every 1 to 2 weeks.’
‘After completing the treatment, you will move on to the final phase: retainers. You need to wear your retainers at night to help maintain the results of your treatment. This will ensure you don’t have to wear braces again.’
How long does the process take?
‘The timing of invisible aligner treatments can vary from patient to patient,’ explains Dr Kasem. ‘Treatment can sometimes be completed in as little as six months or less.’
How much does it cost?
‘Invisible aligner treatments start from around £2,000, depending on the length or complexity of your treatment.’