Treatment
Cosmetic dentistry
Whitening, bonding and smile planning to change how your teeth look, with a clear explanation of each option's limits.
Medical review by Dr. Vahid: pending ·
What is cosmetic dentistry?
In short
Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments that change how your teeth look: whitening to lighten their colour, bonding to repair chips and small gaps with tooth-coloured material, and smile design to plan changes together. Which one suits you depends on your teeth and gums, and we start with an examination.
What happens, step by step
Consultation and examination
Usually one visit
We look at your teeth and gums, check for decay or gum disease, and talk about what you want. Whitening only works on natural enamel, so we also look at existing crowns, veneers and fillings.
Planning the options
We explain which treatments could help, what each can and cannot achieve, and roughly how long each lasts. We go through costs before anything starts.
Treatment
From one visit; home whitening runs over days to weeks
Whitening in the clinic usually takes one visit. Home whitening starts with an impression for your trays. Bonding is usually done in one visit, often without needing anaesthetic.
Review
We check the result with you, make any adjustments, and explain how to keep it looking its best.
Is cosmetic dentistry right for you?
- Your teeth have gone darker or yellower over time, or are stained by tea, coffee or smoking.
- You have a chipped, worn or slightly uneven tooth, or a small gap.
- You are thinking about several changes and want help deciding what is worth doing.
- Your teeth and gums are healthy. Decay and gum disease need to be treated before cosmetic work.
Options
Whitening in the clinic
A whitening gel is applied to your teeth in one visit, with your gums protected. It is quicker, and we can monitor sensitivity as it goes.
Whitening at home
We make trays that fit your teeth and give you whitening gel to use at home over a number of days or weeks. It is slower and gentler for some people.
Bonding
Tooth-coloured composite resin is shaped onto the tooth to repair a chip, close a small gap or reshape an edge. It is often done in one visit with little or no removal of tooth. Over time it can stain or chip and may need repair.
Smile design consultation
We look at your teeth, gums, lips and bite, and talk about what you would like to change. We then lay out the options, in order, with the pros and cons, so you can choose.
How long does cosmetic dentistry take?
- Typical treatment time
- Whitening in clinic: usually one visit. Home whitening: usually one to several weeks. Bonding: usually one visit per tooth or small group.
- Appointments
- Usually one to two, plus a check-up.
- Anaesthesia
- Not usually needed for whitening. Bonding sometimes needs none, depending on how much work is done.
- Recovery
- Little or none. Whitening can make teeth sensitive for a day or two.
- How long it lasts
- Whitening often lasts months to a couple of years, depending on your habits. Bonding often lasts several years but can stain or chip.
Aftercare
- After whitening, go easy on tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco for the first couple of days, when teeth pick up stain more easily.
- Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth if your teeth feel sensitive, and let us know if it does not settle.
- Brush twice a day, clean between your teeth daily, and have regular cleans to keep stains from building up.
- With bonding, avoid biting hard objects, and tell us if the edge feels rough or chips.
- Ask us before using any whitening product you have bought yourself.
Risks and limitations
- Whitening does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, bridges or fillings, so they may no longer match your natural teeth afterward.
- Whitening can make teeth and gums sensitive or sore, usually for a short time.
- Results vary. Some stains, such as those from certain medicines, respond less well.
- Whitened teeth can darken again, especially with smoking, tea, coffee and red wine.
- Bonded material can stain, chip or wear and may need touching up.
- Whitening is not suitable if you are pregnant, or if you have untreated decay or gum disease.
Alternatives
- A professional clean (scale and polish), which removes surface stains and can brighten teeth without whitening.
- Veneers or crowns, for bigger changes in shape or for teeth that do not whiten.
- Orthodontic treatment, if the problem is crowding or spacing.
- Leaving things as they are. Teeth do not need to be perfectly white to be healthy.
Questions about cosmetic dentistry
How does professional teeth whitening work?
A peroxide-based gel is applied to your teeth and breaks down the stains inside the enamel, making teeth lighter. Done in the clinic, your gums are protected first. At home, you use custom-made trays that we make for you. Either way, we examine your teeth first to make sure whitening is suitable.
Does whitening make teeth sensitive?
It can. Many people notice some sensitivity to hot or cold, or mild gum irritation, during or just after whitening. For most people it is short-lived and settles in a day or two. Tell us if you already have sensitive teeth, as we can adjust the strength or the plan.
How long does whitening last?
It varies a lot. Many people find results last from several months to a couple of years. Tea, coffee, red wine and smoking make teeth darken again sooner. A top-up at home or a clean in the clinic can help refresh the colour. We cannot promise a particular length of time.
Will whitening change my crowns, veneers or fillings?
No. Whitening only lightens natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, bridges and tooth-coloured fillings stay the same shade, so they can end up looking darker than your whitened teeth. If you have any of these on your front teeth, we will talk about this before starting. They can be replaced to match.
What is dental bonding?
Bonding uses tooth-coloured composite resin to repair a chip, close a small gap or reshape a tooth. We shape it directly on the tooth and set it with a light, usually in a single visit. It often needs little or no drilling. It can stain or chip over time, and may need repair.
What is a smile design consultation?
It is a longer conversation about what you would like to change. We look at your teeth, gums, lips and bite, explain which options could help and their limits, and set out a step-by-step plan with costs. Nothing is done at that visit unless you ask. You can take the plan away and decide.
Other treatments
Dental implants
A fixed way to replace one tooth, several teeth or a full arch, planned from a scan at your consultation.
Veneers
Thin shells of porcelain or composite that cover the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape or size.
Full mouth rehabilitation
A planned, step-by-step way to repair many teeth at once and restore how they bite together.
Talk to Dr. Vahid about cosmetic dentistry
Send us a message or call. We will suggest a time for a consultation.
Address
Naji Aldakhil Medical CenterOffice 202, Block A, Al Khalafi Building, Al Mamzar, DubaiGet directions
Opening hours
- Saturday – Thursday
- 10 AM – 8 PM
- Friday
- Closed