Cosmetic Dentistry in Broome
A consultation first, with suitability, risks and alternatives explained before you decide.
Still looking like you.
Your smile doesn’t need fixing simply because it isn’t perfect.
Some people would like to change something about their teeth. Some don’t. Both are completely fine, and there’s no pressure either way.
If there is something you’d like to change, it starts with a consultation, not a treatment menu. We’ll talk about what you like about your smile, what you’d change, the health of your teeth and gums, the realistic options and their limitations, how long results may last, the maintenance involved, the cost and the alternatives, including doing nothing.
Good cosmetic dentistry should still look like you.
Your consultation covers:
- What you like about your smile, and what you’d change
- The health of your teeth and gums
- The options that may suit you, and their limitations
- Risks, recovery and how long results may last
- The maintenance involved
- The cost
- The alternatives, including doing nothing
Health comes first.
Before any cosmetic treatment, we check your teeth and gums and look after anything that needs attention. The decision about what happens next is yours, and you’re welcome to take your written plan home and think it over.
Teeth whitening
Coffee happens. So does red wine.
We offer in-chair and take-home whitening, after a check that your teeth and gums are ready. Fillings, crowns and veneers don’t whiten in the same way natural tooth structure does, so we’ll look at what you already have before we start.
Temporary sensitivity is a known side effect of teeth whitening and varies from person to person. Results vary.
Veneers
One option of several. We’ll explain suitability, preparation, maintenance, risks and alternatives.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of the teeth. They may be considered for teeth that are chipped, worn, stained or unevenly shaped, but they aren’t right for everyone, and they aren’t the only way to change how teeth look.
Veneers start with a consultation and an assessment of your teeth, gums and bite. If they may suit you, we can make a mock-up so you can see the proposed shape and length before any tooth is prepared. Placement usually takes two to three appointments: a small amount of enamel is removed to make space, the veneers are made in a dental laboratory, and then they’re bonded to your teeth.
Risks and things to consider
Veneers are a long-term commitment, so it’s worth knowing the downsides before you decide.
- Removing enamel can’t be undone, so a tooth prepared for a veneer will usually need a veneer or another restoration from then on.
- Veneers can chip or break, particularly with grinding, nail-biting or biting on hard objects.
- The edges may discolour over time.
- Veneers may need to be repaired or replaced in the future.
- Teeth can be sensitive for a while after they’re prepared.
- Results vary from person to person, and depend on your teeth, gums and bite.
We’ll talk through the risks that apply to you at your consultation, along with how long veneers may last, how to look after them and what happens if one is damaged.
Other ways to change your smile
Depending on what you’d like to change, there may be other options to consider, on their own or before veneers:
- Orthodontics, including braces and Invisalign®, to move teeth rather than cover them.
- Teeth whitening, if colour is the main concern.
- Crowns and other restorative treatment, where a tooth also needs strengthening or repair.
- Leaving things as they are. That’s a reasonable choice too.
What it costs
The cost depends on the treatment you choose and, for veneers, the number and type of veneers. After your consultation, we’ll provide a written treatment plan outlining your options and expected costs before you decide anything.
Health fund cover for cosmetic treatment varies, so check with your fund once you have your plan.
Cosmetic dentistry
Whitening?Veneers?Not sure?
You don’t need to decide before you arrive. That’s what the consultation is for.
Are veneers right for me?
It depends on your teeth, gums and bite, and on what you’d like to change.
Every person is different, and there are a few different ways to improve your smile, such as clear aligners or whitening. A consultation is the place to find out which options may suit you, along with their risks, limitations and costs.
Will teeth whitening make my teeth sensitive?
It can.
Temporary sensitivity is a known side effect of teeth whitening and varies from person to person.
If you already have sensitive teeth, tell us before you start. We can assess what may be contributing to the sensitivity and discuss ways to make whitening more manageable, or whether whitening is appropriate for you at all.
Whiter teeth are nice. Comfortable teeth are important too.
Is Invisalign® better than braces?
Not necessarily.
They’re different tools, and each has advantages depending on what needs to be corrected.
Rather than choosing based on which one looks better online, Dr Gavin can assess your teeth and bite and explain which options are suitable for you.
Will you tell me if I don’t need treatment?
Yes.
Sometimes the right recommendation is treatment. Sometimes it’s monitoring something. Sometimes it’s doing nothing for now.
Our job is to explain what we see, what your options are and what we recommend clinically.
The decision is still yours.