A smile makeover isn’t a single treatment. It’s a plan that combines one or more cosmetic and restorative treatments to change how your smile looks, while keeping your teeth and gums healthy. For one person that might mean whitening and two veneers; for another, orthodontics followed by crowns. This guide walks through how a smile makeover is planned and carried out, so you know what to expect.
What can a smile makeover change?
- Colour: yellowing, staining, or a single dark tooth
- Shape and size: short, worn, uneven or pointed teeth
- Position: crowding, gaps, rotated or protruding teeth
- Chips and cracks: damage from injury or grinding
- Old dental work: discoloured fillings or crowns that no longer match
- Missing teeth: gaps that affect your smile or bite
Treatments commonly used
Teeth whitening
Whitening lightens natural tooth colour. It’s often done first, because crowns, veneers and fillings don’t change colour with whitening; they’re matched to your teeth afterwards. See teeth whitening.
Porcelain veneers
Thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to change colour, shape and the appearance of minor misalignment. At Hornsby Dental they’re made by our in-house ceramists, from $1,490 per tooth. See porcelain veneers.
Composite veneers and bonding
Tooth-coloured resin sculpted directly onto teeth. It’s usually quicker and less costly than porcelain and often needs little or no tooth preparation, though it may stain and chip more readily over time. See composite veneers.
Orthodontics
Invisalign clear aligners or braces move teeth into better positions. Straightening first can mean less tooth needs to be prepared for veneers, or none at all. See orthodontics.
Crowns
Full-coverage restorations for teeth that are heavily filled, cracked or root-filled, giving strength as well as appearance. See dental crowns.
Implants and bridges
To replace missing teeth so the smile looks complete. See dental implants.
Step 1: The consultation
Every smile makeover starts with a conversation about what you’d like to change and why. Bring photos of smiles you like, or of your own smile from years ago, if they help explain your goals. Your dentist will then:
- Examine your teeth, gums and bite
- Take x-rays to check for decay, old fillings and bone health
- Take clinical photos of your smile from several angles
- Discuss which options could achieve your goals, and what each would involve
At Hornsby Dental, a complimentary smile makeover consultation is available (valued at $250 for applicable patients), which includes the examination, x-rays and photos.
Step 2: Getting healthy first
Cosmetic work only lasts on a healthy foundation. Before any cosmetic treatment, we treat decay, gum disease and any infection. Skipping this step risks problems under new veneers or crowns later.
Step 3: Planning the design
For treatments that change the shape of teeth, we plan the result before anything is changed. This may include digital scans, a wax-up of the proposed shape on models of your teeth, and a trial smile (mock-up) placed temporarily over your teeth so you can see and feel the proposed shape. This is the time to say if you’d like teeth longer, shorter, brighter or more natural.
Good design takes into account your face, lips, gum line, age and personality, not just the teeth. The aim is a smile that suits you and looks like it belongs.
Step 4: Treatment
Treatment is usually done in a logical order:
- Health treatment (fillings, gum care)
- Orthodontics, if needed
- Whitening
- Veneers, crowns or bonding matched to the whitened teeth
- Final adjustments to the bite and polish
A simple makeover with whitening and bonding can be done in a few weeks. One that includes orthodontics may take a year or more from start to finish.
Step 5: Aftercare
- Keep up six-monthly check-ups and cleans
- Wear a night splint if you grind your teeth, to protect veneers and crowns
- Wear a retainer after orthodontics
- Avoid biting hard objects like ice, pens or nutshells
- Expect some maintenance over time: veneers, bonding and crowns don’t last forever
How long do the results last?
Every part of a smile makeover has a different lifespan, and all of them last longer with good care:
- Whitening fades gradually, especially with coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Occasional top-ups with take-home trays keep teeth bright.
- Composite bonding and veneers commonly last several years before they need polishing, repair or replacement. They can pick up stains over time.
- Porcelain veneers resist staining well and commonly last 10 to 15 years or more when looked after.
- Crowns often last 10 years or longer, depending on the tooth underneath and your bite.
- Orthodontic results last as long as you wear your retainer as advised. Teeth naturally tend to drift without one.
Is a smile makeover right for me?
You may be a good candidate if your teeth and gums are healthy (or can be made healthy first), you have realistic expectations, and you’re prepared to look after the result. A makeover may not be the right first step if you have untreated gum disease, a lot of active decay, or a habit of heavy grinding that hasn’t been addressed.
It’s also worth thinking about why you want to change your smile. People often want to look fresher, feel more confident in photos, or fix something that has bothered them for years. Talking openly about your motivations helps your dentist recommend the least invasive way to get there, which is sometimes simpler than you expect.
The least invasive option first
A good principle in cosmetic dentistry is to preserve as much natural tooth as possible. Whitening, orthodontics and bonding remove little or no tooth structure, while veneers and crowns remove more. Your dentist will explain where a simpler option could give you most of what you want.
Questions to ask before you start
- What will the result look like, and can I preview it?
- How much tooth structure will be removed, if any?
- What are the risks and alternatives?
- How long can I expect each part to last, and what maintenance will it need?
- What does the whole plan cost, including any health treatment first?
Smile makeover FAQs
How much does a smile makeover cost?
It depends entirely on what’s included. Whitening and a few areas of bonding cost far less than orthodontics followed by ten porcelain veneers. You’ll get a written, itemised plan after your consultation. See our price list for typical fees.
Will my teeth look fake?
Modern materials and careful planning allow very natural results. Choosing a shade and shape that suits your face, rather than the whitest possible, is the key.
Is it painful?
Most cosmetic treatments are done under local anaesthetic where needed, and many, such as whitening and bonding, need none. Some temporary sensitivity is common.
Can I do it in stages?
Yes. Many people start with whitening or orthodontics and add other treatments later. A long-term plan helps make sure each stage fits the next.
Find out more about cosmetic dentistry in Hornsby.
Book a visit at Hornsby Dental
Hornsby Dental is at Suite 21, 14 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby, about three minutes’ walk from Hornsby Station, with free street parking nearby. We’re open Monday to Friday 9am–6pm and Saturday 8:30am–4pm. Book online or call (02) 8090 1100.
This article is general information only. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your dentist about your own mouth and health.