Best Smile Design Dentists in Turkey

What is smile design?

Smile design is a dental approach that assesses the smile as a whole and brings the treatments it needs into a single plan. It is not the name of one procedure. It is also known as a smile makeover.

A smile design plan looks at the colour, shape and alignment of the teeth, how much gum shows, how the lips move, the facial midline and facial proportions. The aim is to bring the teeth into harmony with the face.

Smile design draws on cosmetic dentistry treatments. The plan may include whitening, veneers, crowns, composite bonding, gum contouring and orthodontic treatment. Which ones are used varies from person to person.

Which criteria are assessed in smile design?

In smile design, the dentist assesses the teeth together with the face rather than one by one. Criteria often used in planning include:

• How the facial midline lines up with the midline of the front teeth
• The smile line, meaning whether the edges of the upper front teeth follow the curve of the lower lip
• How much gum shows when smiling
• The length-to-width ratio of the front teeth
• How tooth colour suits skin tone
• Dark spaces at the corners of the mouth when smiling

These criteria are not applied like a template. Age, sex, facial structure and personal preference also shape the result. A natural-looking smile can include small differences between teeth.

What is digital smile design?

Digital smile design is planning the smile on a computer using photos, video and intraoral scans. The proposed changes can be visualised before treatment starts. A temporary trial, called a mock-up, is often made afterwards: temporary material is placed over the teeth so you can see the new shape in your mouth. Shape, length or colour can still be adjusted at this stage. The image on the screen may not match the final result exactly, because the biological limits of the teeth and gums affect the outcome.

How is smile design carried out?

Smile design starts with an examination and analysis and moves forward in several stages. The process usually follows these steps:

1. An examination and X-rays are done and your expectations are discussed.
2. Decay, gum disease or teeth needing root canal treatment are identified.
3. Facial and smile photos are taken, along with impressions or a digital scan.
4. The smile design is prepared and reviewed with you.
5. If needed, the new shape is tried in the mouth with a mock-up.
6. Health problems are treated first, followed by gum contouring or whitening if planned.
7. Veneers, crowns or bonding are made, tried in and bonded.
8. Follow-up visits and care advice are arranged.

Whitening is usually done before crowns or veneers, so the restorations can be matched to the whitened teeth. Crown and veneer materials cannot be lightened later by whitening.

Who is smile design suitable for, and who is it not?

Smile design is for people who want to correct several smile concerns together and whose oral health allows it. The dentist decides on suitability after an examination. Common reasons include:

• Front teeth that differ in colour, shape or size
• Gaps between the teeth
• Worn, chipped or short-looking teeth
• Too much gum showing or an uneven gum line
• Old crowns that no longer match in colour

If gum disease or widespread decay is untreated, the cosmetic stage does not begin. Heavy teeth grinding raises the risk of thin restorations breaking. If there is marked crowding or a bite problem, orthodontic treatment may be suggested first. In that case a less invasive route is preferred over filing teeth down to make them look straight.

How long does smile design take, and how long do results last?

The length of treatment depends on how many procedures are in the plan. A plan with only veneers or crowns is usually completed in one to three weeks over several visits. If gum contouring or orthodontics is added, it can take months.

After visits where teeth are reduced, sensitivity may last a few days. Most people adjust to the new teeth within a few days. If gum work was done, a few weeks are allowed for healing.

With good care, veneers and crowns can be used for many years. Over time they may need replacing because of chipping, colour change or gum recession. The effect of whitening fades over time.

What are the risks and side effects of smile design?

The risks of smile design come from the treatments in the plan. Possible problems include:

• Temporary or longer-lasting sensitivity in reduced teeth
• Nerve damage after deep reduction and the need for root canal treatment
• Chipping or debonding of a veneer or crown
• Gum inflammation or recession at the restoration edge
• Jaw or tooth pain from an uneven bite
• A result that does not meet your expectations

Tooth reduction cannot be reversed. Reduced teeth may need to be protected by a restoration for life, so reduction is kept as limited as possible.

What determines the cost of smile design?

The cost depends on the treatments in the plan and the number of teeth treated. The price range on this page gives only a general idea. The main factors are:

• Number of teeth receiving veneers, crowns or bonding
• Material used: porcelain, zirconia or composite
• Laboratory work and digital design stages
• Need for gum contouring, whitening or orthodontics
• Fillings or root canal treatments needed beforehand
• The clinic's city and the dentist's experience

How do the treatments used in smile design differ?

The treatments used in smile design differ by the problem they solve and how much they change the tooth.

When choosing a dentist, experience in cosmetic restorations and planning matters. Complex plans may involve prosthodontists, restorative dentists, periodontists or orthodontists. Ask whether your oral health was assessed, whether you can see a mock-up, how many teeth will be treated and whether a less invasive option exists.