Aesthetic Dentistry — what it actually is
Aesthetic dentistry covers the work that changes how a smile looks: composite bonding to reshape a tooth or close a gap, tooth-coloured restorations replacing old dark fillings at the front, and reshaping teeth that are chipped, worn or out of proportion.
The planning matters more than the technique. A smile has to suit the face it is in — the width of the smile, the line of the lip and the shape of the face all decide what will look natural. A row of identical bright white rectangles looks like dentistry. The aim here is that nobody can tell anything was done.
Signs you may need it
One of these on its own is worth a look. Two or more, and it is worth booking rather than waiting to see whether it settles.
- A gap between the front teeth you would rather not have
- A chipped, worn or uneven front tooth
- Old front fillings that have darkened at the edges
- Small or peg-shaped teeth that look out of proportion
- One tooth noticeably darker than the rest
- Avoiding photographs, or covering your mouth when you laugh
How it is done here
It starts with a conversation about what specifically bothers you — which is usually narrower and more fixable than people expect. Photographs and, where the change is significant, a mock-up let you see the proposed result before any tooth is touched. Composite bonding is done directly, in one visit, and removes little or no tooth, which means it can be adjusted or undone later. Where a change would mean permanently removing enamel, that is said plainly, with the alternatives, before it is agreed.
What to expect, step by step
These are genuinely sequential — each step depends on the one before it, which is why some treatments cannot be finished in a single visit.
- 01
What bothers you
Identifying the specific thing, rather than assuming a full makeover is wanted.
- 02
Records
Photographs and shade, taken in daylight rather than under the chair light.
- 03
Mock-up
For larger changes, the proposed shape is shown in composite first, before anything is permanent.
- 04
Treatment
Bonding and reshaping done directly, usually in a single visit.
- 05
Review
Checked in daylight, in a photograph, and against your own face — not just in the chair.
Questions patients ask about aesthetic work
Will my teeth be filed down?
For composite bonding, usually not at all, or barely. Anything that would permanently remove enamel is explained first, along with the alternatives, and it is never done on the same day as the conversation about it.
Can I see the result before you start?
For any significant change, yes. A composite mock-up lets you see and live with the proposed shape before treatment begins, and it can be altered at that stage at no cost.
How long does composite bonding last?
Around five years is a fair expectation, sometimes longer. It can stain over time with tea, coffee and tobacco, and it can be polished up or repaired rather than replaced entirely.
I only dislike one tooth. Do I need a full set done?
No. If one tooth is the problem, one tooth is treated. Matching a single restoration to natural neighbours is more demanding than doing eight, but it is nearly always the better answer for the patient.
Will it look obviously done?
That is the thing being avoided. Shade, translucency and surface texture are matched to the teeth beside it, and the result is checked in daylight and in a photograph, because that is where dentistry usually gives itself away.