Cosmetic dentistry covers the treatments that change how a smile looks. In practice the line between cosmetic and restorative is blurry: a veneer that closes a gap also protects the tooth underneath, and straightening crowded teeth makes them easier to clean. Most people come in wanting one specific thing changed, and the useful first step is working out which treatment actually solves it.

Teeth whitening

Whitening lifts stains that have built up in enamel from coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and simple ageing. Professional whitening uses a stronger agent than anything sold over the counter, applied with your gums protected, which is why it works faster and more evenly.

It has limits worth knowing before you book. Whitening lightens natural tooth structure only. Crowns, veneers and white fillings keep their original shade, so an existing restoration at the front of your mouth may need replacing afterwards to match. Teeth discoloured from within, by trauma or certain childhood antibiotics, respond differently to surface staining and sometimes need a veneer instead.

Porcelain veneers

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth. Veneers handle several problems at once: permanent discolouration, chips, small gaps, and teeth that are slightly out of line. Because they are custom made, shape and shade are controlled precisely.

Veneers usually require a small amount of enamel to be removed first, which makes them irreversible. That is the main thing to weigh. They are strong but not unbreakable, and grinding at night will shorten their life unless a night guard is worn.

Composite veneers and bonding

Composite veneers are built up directly on the tooth in a single visit using tooth-coloured resin. They cost less than porcelain and remove little or no enamel, so they are a good option where reversibility matters. The trade-off is lifespan and stain resistance: composite picks up staining over the years in a way porcelain does not, and is more prone to chipping.

Resin infiltration

Resin infiltration treats the white or chalky patches that appear on teeth, often from early decay or from fluorosis. A resin is drawn into the porous enamel so it reflects light like the surrounding tooth and the mark becomes much less visible. It is minimally invasive, needs no drilling in most cases, and is often the right first thing to try before considering a veneer.

Invisalign

Clear aligners straighten teeth without fixed brackets, and crowding or spacing is frequently what people actually dislike when they say they want a whiter smile. Aligners are removable, which makes cleaning easier, but they only work while they are being worn. See our orthodontics page for how treatment runs.

Choosing between them

The right answer depends on the condition of the teeth underneath, your bite, and how long you want the result to last.

• Surface staining is usually whitening.
• Deep or internal discolouration is usually veneers, or resin infiltration for white patches.
• Chips and worn edges are usually bonding or veneers.
• Small gaps can be closed with bonding, veneers or aligners.
• Crowded or crooked teeth need Invisalign or braces.

A consultation sorts that out properly, including the option of doing nothing.