Cosmetic Dentistry

What is Involved?

The Process

Initial Consultation

Our dental specialist/dentist will find out the details of your medical and dental history, go through a consultation and examination and take a digital X-ray of your teeth to enable a thorough and detailed diagnosis.

Depending on your dental condition and concerns, our dental specialist/dentist will advise on the most appropriate option to help you bring back that sparkle in your smile.

Treatment

Treatment can be one or a combination of teeth replacement, teeth correction, teeth straightening or teeth enhancement procedures, just to name a few.

Teeth replacement procedures

When you have missing teeth, it can be difficult to eat, chew and even speak clearly. You may also be more susceptible to cavities, bite problems and periodontal (gum) disease. After teeth are lost, ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone makes the face look older.

• Dental Implants
  Whether you are missing one tooth, multiple teeth, or are completely toothless, dental implants are long-term predictable solution to replacing missing teeth. They are suitable for most people and have a success rate of about 95% to 99%. Dental implants are man-made titanium surgical screws that are placed in the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. A healing period of several months is needed for the implant(s) to bond with the jaw bone. Finally, the implant crown will be fitted. For more information, please visit our Dental Implant page.
• Dental Bridges
  Dental bridges, also known as fixed partial dentures, restore appearance and function by replacing missing teeth. They can be used to replace one or more missing teeth and are attached to the adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.A marginal amount of tooth structure will be removed from the supporting teeth and a mould of the teeth will be made. The bridge will then be fabricated and cemented onto the teeth. 2 visits are usually required to complete the process. For more information, please visit our Dental Bridge page.
• Dentures
  Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They are typically made of acrylic plastic and sometimes porcelain and metal materials. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Several visits to our dental specialists/ dentists are usually required to make dental impressions and ensure that the dentures fit. For more information, please visit our Dentures page.

Teeth Straightening Procedures

The benefits of having straight teeth extend beyond a confident smile; it can also significantly affect your overall dental health. You can clean your teeth more effectively, minimizing the risk of dental decay. In addition, there is also a reduced risk of dental trauma from falls, and you can eat better and speak clearer when your teeth are properly aligned.

• Braces & Invisalign
  There are 2 main types of braces – Fixed and removable appliances. Fixed braces are wire-based devices that help correct crooked, protruding or uneven teeth. If you have gaps between your teeth, braces can close these gaps. Treatment usually takes between 2 to 3 years, depending on the complexity. There are a variety of options including metal braces, ceramic or tooth-coloured braces, and self-ligating braces. For more information, please visit our Braces page. Removable braces straighten your teeth invisibly, without any wires, by using Invisalign, a series of clear aligners. Each pair of aligners is worn for 2 weeks and is replaced by the next pair in the series until your teeth are at the desired alignment. Think of Invisalign as “contact lenses” for your teeth; one hardly notices them. Treatment usually takes between 1 to 3 years, depending on the complexity and severity. For more information, please visit our Invisalign page.

Gummy Smile Correction Procedures

Some people smile with a little bit of their gums showing but for some others, a significant amount of gums can be seen when they smile. Their teeth appear short in proportion to the rest of the gums, giving rise to the term “gummy smile”.

There are several treatment options for those with gummy smiles

• Surgical Method
  A crown lengthening procedure which adjusts excessive gum tissue and the underlying bone can be performed by our periodontist (gum treatment specialist). Our prosthodontist (teeth replacement and cosmetic dentistry specialist) will then provide veneers or crowns treatment to complete your gummy smile makeover. The surgery itself takes about an hour to complete.
• Non-Surgical Method
  Natural, purified protein injections can be used to treat the hyperactive muscle of the upper lip. This is a 10-minute procedure consisting of a few tiny injections. There is minimal down-time and improvement is gradual; where the effects of each session will last up to 4 months. For more information, please visit our Gummy Smile Page.

Jaw Correction Procedure

Orthognathic surgery is usually recommended when your jaws and teeth do not meet correctly or where there is a discrepancy in the jaw size. One’s facial appearance and chewing function will improve and jaw joint dysfunction can be prevented. Jaw surgery is sometimes also done together with orthodontic (braces) treatment.

The whole process may last 12-24 months. This will vary based on your dental condition and the type of surgery required.
For more information, please visit our Jaw Surgery Page.

Smile Enhancing

Restore the sparkle back to your smile, without anyone knowing. There are various treatment options to give you the freedom to smile with confidence.

• Dental Crowns
  Crowns are restorations that completely cover or cap teeth, restoring them to their natural size, shape, and colour. Crowns may also be used to change the colour or alignment of teeth. The shade of the crown can be matched to your existing teeth so that they can hardly be differentiated from your own teeth. Two visits are usually required to complete the process. For more information, please visit our Crowns Page.
• Veneers
  Veneers are thin custom-made porcelain shells designed to fit discreetly over the surface teeth, much like how a false fingernail would fit over a nail. They are virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth and can help you achieve what is sometimes dubbed the “Hollywood smile”. The treatment can be completed in 4 to 5 days, and will involve about 2 to 3 visits to the dentist.For more information, please visit our Veneers Page.
• Composite Bonding
  Composite bonding involves the application of a tooth-coloured polymeric resin to the tooth, and moulding it into shape. It can restore chipped, cracked or stained teeth, as well as fill gaps between teeth. It can also be used to fill cavities or replace old metal fillings. Composite bonding is also suitable for people who have teeth with dark stains that do not respond to bleaching. The entire process can be completed in 1 visit and will take approximately 10 to 25 minutes per tooth. For more information, please visit our Composite Bonding Page.
• Teeth Whitening
  Teeth whitening is a minimally invasive procedure that put the sparkle back into your smile. It restores the sparkle to teeth that have been discoloured or stained by coffee, tea, soft drinks, tobacco, and other foods. Teeth whitening is a quick one-hour in clinic procedure that is complemented by a take home kit to help you enhance the results and do further touch ups, as needed. For more information, please visit our Teeth Whitening Page.

Follow Up Care

A good home oral hygiene regime is essential to ensure that your new smile is maintained – brush your teeth at least twice a day, for 2 minutes each time. Floss at least once a day and schedule to visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning and check up every 6 months.