Cosmetic dentistry is treatment aimed at changing how your teeth and smile look: their colour, shape, size, spacing or alignment. At Barrie Heights Family Dentistry, cosmetic care is provided by Dr. Rebeca Riojas-Ozturk, our general and family dentist, as part of the same practice that looks after your checkups and cleanings.
This page explains what cosmetic treatment can and cannot change, the main options, the trade-offs of each, and how a plan comes together.
What can cosmetic dentistry change?
The concerns patients bring to us most often are:
- Teeth that are stained or have darkened over time
- Chips, small cracks or worn edges
- Gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are uneven in length or shape
- Mild crowding or minor misalignment
Many of these can be improved, sometimes with one treatment and sometimes with a combination. What cosmetic dentistry cannot do is replace good oral health. Healthy gums and sound teeth come first, because any cosmetic work sits on that foundation.
Is cosmetic treatment right for me?
It may suit you if your teeth are healthy, or can be made healthy first, and you have a clear idea of what bothers you about your smile. It helps to bring photos of your smile from a few years ago, or pictures of the look you like, to your first visit.
Cosmetic treatment may need to wait if you have active decay, gum disease, or a grinding habit that has not been addressed. Grinding can chip or crack new veneers and bonding, so your dentist may suggest a night guard or look at TMJ and TMD therapy first.
How is a cosmetic treatment plan put together?
Every plan starts with a conversation about what you want to change and why. From there, a typical planning visit includes:
- An exam. Your dentist checks the teeth, gums and bite, and takes X-rays if they are needed, to make sure the foundation is healthy.
- Photos and records. Photos of your smile and, where helpful, impressions or scans of your teeth.
- Options. Your dentist explains which treatments could address each concern, what each involves, how long it may last and what it is likely to cost.
- Your decision. You choose what to go ahead with, in what order, and over what timeline. Nothing starts until you are comfortable with the plan.
Results vary from person to person, and your dentist will be honest about what is realistic for your teeth.
What are the main cosmetic options?
Teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening lightens the natural colour of teeth and lifts many surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine or smoking. It works on natural enamel only. Existing fillings, crowns and veneers do not change colour, which is why whitening is often done before any tooth-coloured work, so the new work can be matched to the lighter shade.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They can change the colour, shape and length of a tooth and cover chips or small gaps. Veneers usually require a small amount of enamel to be removed, so they are a lasting decision, and they may need replacing after some years.
Dental bonding
Bonding uses tooth-coloured resin, shaped and hardened directly on the tooth in the chair. It can close small gaps, repair chips and even out edges, often in a single visit, with little or no tooth removed. Bonding can stain and chip more easily than porcelain, so it may need touching up over time. Our bonded fillings page explains the material in more detail.
Crowns
Where a tooth is heavily filled, cracked or badly discoloured, a crown may be a better choice than a veneer, because it covers and protects the whole tooth as well as changing how it looks.
Clear aligners
Where the concern is mild crowding or spacing, moving the teeth may be more conservative than covering them. Invisalign clear aligners can sometimes straighten teeth before, or instead of, veneers or bonding.
What is a smile makeover?
A smile makeover is not a single treatment. It is a plan that combines several treatments, in a sensible order, to change the overall look of a smile. A common sequence is aligners first to move teeth into a better position, then whitening, then veneers, bonding or crowns matched to the new shade.
Because a makeover can involve several steps over several months, your dentist will map out each stage, what it involves and what it is likely to cost before you start. You can do it all at once or in stages that suit your time and budget.
How do I choose between veneers, bonding and whitening?
Each option has trade-offs:
- Whitening changes colour only, not shape. It removes no tooth structure, but results fade over time and sensitivity during treatment is common.
- Bonding is quicker and usually less costly than porcelain, and can often be reversed or redone, but it is more prone to staining and chipping.
- Veneers change colour and shape together and resist staining well, but they usually involve removing some enamel, which cannot be undone.
The right choice depends on your teeth, your bite, your habits and what matters most to you. Your dentist will walk you through the options for your mouth.
How long do cosmetic results last?
No cosmetic treatment lasts forever. Whitening fades gradually and may need occasional touch-ups. Bonding typically lasts several years before it needs polishing or repair. Porcelain veneers and crowns often last longer, but they can chip, and the gums around them can change with age.
How long your results last depends a great deal on home care, regular hygiene visits, and habits such as grinding, nail biting or chewing ice.
How do I look after my new smile?
Brush twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. Cut back on drinks that stain if you can, or rinse with water after them. Wear a night guard if your dentist has recommended one, and a sports mouthguard for contact sports. Keep up with checkups so small chips or worn edges can be fixed early.
What affects the cost of cosmetic dentistry?
Cost depends on the treatments chosen, how many teeth are involved, the materials used, and whether any preparatory work such as fillings or gum care is needed first. Most cosmetic treatment is not covered by dental insurance, although some work that also restores function, such as a crown on a cracked tooth, may be partly covered.
We will explain the costs of each option and what your plan may cover before any treatment begins.
How do I book a cosmetic consultation?
Call Barrie Heights Family Dentistry at (705) 730-0721, or send a request through our appointment request page. Tell us briefly what you would like to change so we can plan enough time. We are at 352 Yonge St, Barrie.
Frequently asked questions
Is cosmetic dentistry provided by a general dentist?
Yes. Treatments such as whitening, bonding, veneers and crowns are part of general dentistry. Dr. Riojas-Ozturk is a general and family dentist who provides cosmetic treatment alongside everyday care.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have veneers or crowns?
Whitening changes the colour of natural enamel only. Veneers, crowns and tooth-coloured fillings stay the same shade, so they may need replacing if you want them to match newly whitened teeth.
Are veneers reversible?
Usually not. Most porcelain veneers require a small amount of enamel to be removed, so the tooth will always need a covering afterwards. Bonding is often more reversible.
Does insurance cover cosmetic dentistry?
Treatment done only to change appearance is usually not covered. Work that also repairs a damaged tooth may be partly covered. We can help you check before treatment.
How many visits does a smile makeover take?
It depends on the treatments involved. A simple plan may take a few visits, while one that includes aligners can take several months. Your dentist will give you a timeline before you start.
