Dentist Preston

Cosmetic dentistry at our clinic in Melbourne is often considered elective dental care.

At The Smile Designer, we offer extensive treatments tailored to unique personal needs and preferences. Our services range from procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, and bonding, to more comprehensive solutions like dental implants and complete smile makeovers.

Each procedure aims to enhance the characteristics of a smile by improving the following:

• Colour
• Alignment
• Shape
• Size
• Overall appearance.

Our team acknowledges oral health’s fundamental importance even when undertaking these aesthetic procedures. A radiant smile originates from healthy teeth and gums, so we’re committed to providing affordable, high-quality services emphasizing regular care and maintenance.

Schedule a consultation with our experienced team. We are ready to provide expert advice and guide you in selecting the procedures that best address your needs.

Typically, procedures they undertake improve the aesthetics of a patient’s smile. Teeth are prone to discolouration for multiple reasons, including habitual smoking or the regular consumption of specific foods and beverages.

Teeth whitening has become one of the most often requested procedures. This process aids in lightening the teeth’ shade and eliminating unsightly stains, restoring their appearance.

Another commonly performed procedure involves the placement of veneers. These are customised, tooth-coloured shells arranged to cover the frontal surface of teeth. They help improve the appearance of teeth that are:

• Discoloured
• Chipped
• Broken
• Unevenly spaced.

Dental bonding is another standard procedure for applying a tooth-coloured, putty-like resin to the tooth. It’s then hardened with a special light, shaped and polished. This process repairs decayed, chipped, cracked, or misshapen teeth and decrease the gap between teeth.

Dental crowns are also popular and used to cover a damaged tooth or implant entirely. They help improve the appearance and strength of the tooth.

Lastly, we offer orthodontic treatments, such as clear aligners, to correct issues like overcrowded or crooked teeth, overbites or underbites, and incorrect jaw position.

Each type of procedure undertaken varies widely depending on the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals. Speak with a member of our team to explore the options most suited to your requirements.

Yes, they can undertake cosmetic dentistry. General practices primarily concentrate on preserving oral hygiene and ensuring overall tooth health. Cosmetic dentistry mainly focuses on improving the aesthetic appearance of one’s teeth.

Those with general expertise also undertake diverse procedures, many overlapping with aesthetic procedures. This may include teeth whitening, dental bonding, and fitting crowns, bridges, and veneers.

While general dentists can perform these procedures, not all personalise in these areas. The field of cosmetic dentistry demands supplemental education and training beyond what general professionals undertake.

Our team, expertise in aesthetic care, concentrates on procedures that improve the look of teeth and gums. They may have additional training or experience in these procedures, including advanced techniques and materials that may provide superior results.

Coverage provided by health insurance for cosmetic dentistry depends upon the details of your insurance policy and the dental procedure. Procedures considered non-essential—those intended to improve the appearance of the teeth and smile—often aren’t included in most dental insurance plans. This is usually due to procedures being considered elective and not medically necessary.

Typically, insurance policies tend to cover preventive and restorative dental services.

These include:

• Routine check-ups
• Professional cleanings
• Fillings
• Crowns
• Orthodontic treatments.

However, procedures like teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and other treatments primarily aimed at improving aesthetics are not typically covered.

If a procedure improves the function or overall health of the teeth, some insurance companies may provide partial coverage. For example, dental crowns, although they enhance the appearance of the teeth, are often necessary for restoring the tooth’s function after significant decay or a root canal.

Reviewing your health or dental insurance policy to understand what is covered and what is not is highly recommended. Before undergoing any procedures, always discuss with your dentist and insurance provider to avoid unexpected costs. Each policy is unique, and some may offer additional coverage options for aesthetic procedures.

To help with your expenses, you can also access The Smile Designers payment plans for flexible options.

Teeth whitening is a commonly performed dental procedure that may help improve the appearance of teeth by reducing stains associated with factors such as ageing, smoking, and certain foods or drinks.

Dental veneers are another treatment option. These thin porcelain or composite resin coverings are custom-made and may be suitable for concerns such as discolouration, minor chips, gaps, or variations in tooth shape.

Dental bonding involves the use of a tooth-coloured resin to restore areas affected by decay, chips, or wear, and may also be used to improve the appearance of gaps between teeth.

Orthodontic treatment, including braces and clear aligners such as Invisalign, can be used to gradually adjust the position of teeth and bite alignment where appropriate.

A consultation with a qualified dental professional is important to determine suitable treatment options based on your individual needs and oral health.

Time spent engaging in aesthetic procedures will vary depending on treatment requirements and each patient’s needs.

Teeth whitening can be achieved in a single visit, often taking one to two hours. You can also choose to undertake the procedure at home using a kit we provide you, although this process typically spans a few weeks.

Dental bonding typically requires one office visit, each tooth taking 30 minutes to an hour. Dental veneers generally require two visits: one for preparation and impression, and another for placement, each lasting about one to two hours.

Orthodontic treatments, such as braces or aligners, take the longest. Treatments will vary, some taking a few months up to several years, depending on the state of your misaligned teeth.

Dental implants usually involve multiple procedures over several months. This includes the initial consultation, implant placement, and fitting of the replacement tooth or teeth.

Everyone’s situation is unique, which means timelines will differ. During your consultation, we will provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific needs and the procedure you require.

Every procedure has its own treatment risks. Each individual has their own presenting concerns and problems, and the practitioner will guide you through all these risks. Those personalising in this area have the best understanding of how to carry out these procedures safely and effectively, while making sure you understand all the necessary risks associated with each procedure.

Like any medical procedure, cosmetic dentistry can come with risks. That’s why you must chat with an oral health professional about any worries before deciding on any procedures. They can walk you through the potential risks and rewards, helping you make a smart choice for your oral health and aesthetic goals.

Invisalign is a popular choice amongst patients and falls under this dental care category. It is an advanced treatment option for improved dental health and enhanced aesthetics.

Cosmetic dentistry primarily focuses on procedures including teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, bonding, and more. Invisalign is an innovative solution for straightening teeth using clear, removable aligners custom-fit to your teeth and uniquely straddles the line between aesthetic and orthodontic oral health care.

Orthodontic treatments, like braces, primarily correct functional issues with the teeth and jaw, such as overbite, underbite, and misalignment. In contrast, cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the smile’s overall aesthetic appearance.

There’s no denying the appeal of Invisalign. The clear aligners are nearly invisible and allow patients to enhance their smile subtly and gradually without the noticeable hardware associated with traditional braces. The invisibility of the aligners offers a significant aesthetic advantage, positioning Invisalign squarely within the category of cosmetic dentistry.

While Invisalign certainly has many benefits, you must note that its benefits extend beyond aesthetics. Invisalign can effectively treat various orthodontic issues, such as crowded teeth, gap teeth, overbite, underbite, open bite, and crossbite. Maintaining good oral health and hygiene is critical with Invisalign, which sees it sitting in multiple regions of oral health care.

Restorative and cosmetic dentistry vary, though there can be some overlap between the two.

Restorative procedures focus on identifying and managing diseases of the teeth and gums. The primary aim is to restore the function and integrity of the tooth structure, aesthetics, and health. Standard restorative procedures include fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and root canals. The focus is more on necessity rather than choice.

Cosmetic dentistry’s primary focus is on improving the appearance of teeth, mouth, and smile. These procedures include teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, orthodontics, and cosmetic gum surgery.

It’s worth noting that some procedures can be restorative and cosmetic. For example, dental implants can replace missing teeth (restorative) and improve the smile’s appearance (cosmetic). Similarly, a crown can protect a weak tooth (restorative) and its design match the colour and shape of natural teeth (cosmetic).

While restorative (function) and cosmetic dentistry (aesthetics) has different goals, there can be some overlap.

Whether cosmetic procedures are worthwhile depends on everyone’s situation, personal preferences, and goals. We suggest considering the following:

• Oral Health Benefits: While the primary focus is aesthetics, some procedures can also benefit oral health.
• Cost & Maintenance: These procedures can be expensive; not all covered by dental insurance. You must consider these financial factors and weigh them against the potential benefits.