Cosmetic Dentistry in Aurora

What it is

Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments that change how your teeth look: their colour, shape, size, length or spacing. Many of these treatments also repair or protect a tooth, so the line between cosmetic and restorative care is not always sharp. A chipped front tooth, for example, is both a looks concern and a strength concern.

This page is a starting point. Each option has its own page with more detail. Teeth whitening deals with colour. Veneers and bonding deal with chips, gaps, worn edges and uneven shapes. Our Invisalign and orthodontics pages cover crooked or crowded teeth, which often look better simply by being moved rather than covered.

A smile makeover is not one procedure. It is a plan that combines two or more treatments in an order that makes sense. Teeth are often straightened first, then whitened, and only after that matched with bonding or veneers, because fillings and porcelain keep the colour they were made in. Dr. Bita Tahghighi has advanced training in cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry, including a Fellowship in Aesthetic Dentistry at UCLA. Whoever you see, your dentist will start with your health, then your goals.

Is it right for me?

• Your teeth look darker or more yellow than you would like.
• A front tooth is chipped, worn or uneven.
• You have small gaps or teeth of different lengths.
• Old fillings or crowns on your front teeth no longer match.
• You want several changes and would like one plan that ties them together.
• Your teeth and gums are healthy, or you are ready to treat problems first.

Step by step

1. Talk about your goalsTell us what you notice about your smile and what you would like to change. Photos of smiles you like can help us understand you.
2. Health check firstWe look for cavities, gum disease and signs of grinding. These need care before any cosmetic work, or the new work may not last.
3. Review the optionsYour dentist explains which treatments could reach your goal, from the most conservative to the most involved, with the trade-offs of each.
4. Set the orderTogether we decide shade, shape and the sequence of treatments. Changes that affect colour usually come before anything that is colour-matched.
5. Treatment in stagesEach step is booked and finished before the next, so you can see progress and adjust the plan if you wish.
6. Review and upkeepWe check the results at your next visits and polish or touch up bonding and veneers as needed.

How it compares

General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.

Benefits and risks

Cost and coverage

With a smile makeover, there is rarely one price. Each part of the plan is estimated on its own, after your exam, so you can see what whitening, bonding, veneers or straightening each add and choose where to start. We use the Ontario Dental Association fee guide as our reference. Purely cosmetic treatment is often not covered by private plans or by the Canadian Dental Care Plan, but repairing a broken or decayed tooth may be, so we check your benefits, send a predetermination where useful and bill your insurer directly. Ask about our in-house dental plan and student program. You receive a written estimate for every stage before work begins.

What shapes your estimate

• How many teeth are involved
• Which treatments are combined, and in what order
• Any fillings, cleanings or gum care needed first
• Material choice, such as composite or porcelain
• Dental lab work for veneers or crowns
• Number of visits across the plan

Read more about insurance and payment, the Canadian Dental Care Plan and IFHP coverage.

After your visit

• Keep up regular checkups and cleanings so cosmetic work can be checked and polished.
• Cut back on coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco to slow new staining.
• Wear a night guard if you grind or clench, to protect bonding and veneers.
• Avoid biting nails, pens or ice with your front teeth.

Questions