Cosmetic Dentistry in Perth
If there are things about your smile you’d like to change, you may have more options than you realise. Whether it’s the colour of your teeth, a small gap, crowding, a chipped tooth or a missing tooth, cosmetic dentistry can offer different ways to address your concerns.
At HM Dental, the starting point is understanding what you would like to change. From there, your dentist can talk you through the options and help you decide what may suit your teeth, oral health and goals.
Treatment Built Around What You Actually Want to Change
Cosmetic dentistry can address a wide range of concerns, from crowded or crooked teeth to discolouration, chips, gaps, uneven tooth shape and missing teeth. Depending on your situation, options may include clear aligners, composite bonding, composite or porcelain veneers, crowns, in-chair or take-home whitening, and dental implants.
Sometimes, more than one treatment may be considered. For example, teeth may be straightened with clear aligners before veneers are placed. In other cases, surrounding teeth may be whitened before a crown, veneer or implant restoration so its shade can be matched to the neighbouring teeth.
The Concerns Patients Often Want Addressed
You don’t need to know which treatment you want before booking a consultation. Many patients simply know there is something about their smile they would like to change. Common concerns include:
- Crowded, gapped or crooked teeth
- Teeth that appear discoloured, dull or uneven in shade
- Chipped, worn or unevenly shaped teeth
- A missing tooth, including one lost some time ago
- Preparing their smile for a wedding, graduation or another milestone
Your dentist can explain which options may be worth considering after examining your teeth and listening to what you’d like to achieve.
A Conservative Approach to Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic treatment doesn’t automatically mean making major changes to your teeth. Wherever possible, the dentists at HM Dental consider conservative options first, with the aim of preserving healthy natural tooth structure.
For someone mainly concerned about tooth colour, for example, whitening may be considered before more involved treatments. If tooth position is part of the concern, clear aligners may help before bonding or veneers are considered.
There’s also a common misconception that veneers always require teeth to be heavily reduced. The amount of tooth preparation needed varies from person to person and depends on the type of veneer and the individual tooth. In some suitable cases, little or no tooth preparation may be required. Your dentist can explain what would be involved before you decide whether veneers are right for you.
What Happens at a Consultation?
Your consultation begins with a conversation. Your dentist will ask what you like about your smile, what you would prefer to change and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Depending on the treatment being considered, the assessment may include photographs, X-rays and digital scans. Once the necessary information has been gathered, your dentist can explain the available options, including the pros, limitations and considerations associated with each.
Before cosmetic treatment begins, your dentist will also check the health of your teeth and gums. Concerns such as tooth decay, gum inflammation or infection may need to be addressed first.
For implant consultations, the Wembley Downs location has an in-house 3D CBCT scanner. Suitable patients may be able to have their scan and initial implant planning completed at the practice without first being referred elsewhere for imaging.
Cosmetic Services for Different Ages and Stages
Age alone doesn’t necessarily rule out cosmetic dental treatment. Whitening, bonding, veneers and dental implants may be considered for adults at different stages of life, depending on their oral health and individual circumstances.
Clear aligners may also be an option for some teenagers once their adult teeth have come through, as well as for adults who have lived with crowding or crooked teeth for many years.
If you’re missing a tooth, options may include a dental implant or another form of tooth replacement. Your dentist can assess your teeth, gums and bone and explain which possibilities may be suitable for you.
Not Sure Which Treatment You Need?
That’s completely fine. You don’t need to arrive with a treatment already chosen. In fact, one of the reasons for having a cosmetic consultation is to understand what your options actually are.
Your dentist can talk you through different approaches and explain the pros and considerations of each so you have the information you need before making a decision. Cosmetic dentistry is not about choosing the biggest treatment. It’s about finding an approach that addresses your concerns while preserving healthy natural teeth wherever possible.
Discover What’s Possible for Your Smile
If there’s something about your smile you’d like to change, start with a conversation. Contact HM Dental to book a cosmetic dentistry consultation and discuss the options that may be available to you.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
