Cosmetic dental concerns
By The Treatment Registry editors
Patients seek aesthetic dental treatment for discolouration, chips, gaps, or shape irregularities. The treatment ladder runs from conservative whitening through bonding and veneers to orthodontic alignment, with the appropriate intervention depending on the underlying dental anatomy and the patient's preferences. Over-aggressive treatment that destroys healthy enamel is the most common quality concern in cosmetic dentistry.
Treatment ladder
Conservative options are first-line where appropriate; surgical options are typically reserved for cases where lower-tier options are unsuitable or have failed. Decisions are individual and depend on clinical assessment.
Conservative
- Professional whitening
In-clinic light-activated bleaching or take-home tray bleaching. Effective for extrinsic and many intrinsic stains; does not change tooth shape. Requires periodic re-treatment.
- Direct composite bonding
Tooth-coloured composite resin applied directly to the tooth surface to repair small chips, close minor gaps, or reshape edges. Conservative (minimal or no enamel removal) but less durable than indirect restorations.
- Orthodontic alignment
Fixed appliances or aligners (e.g. Invisalign) to correct positioning. Slower than veneers but preserves natural tooth structure.
Procedural
- Composite veneers
Direct-bonded composite shells with minimal or no enamel preparation. Lower cost and reversible but less stain-resistant and shorter-lived than porcelain (5-7 years vs 10-15+).
- Porcelain veneers · View procedure page
Indirect porcelain shells bonded to prepared enamel. Highly aesthetic, stain-resistant, and durable. Preparation depth and design (feldspathic minimal-prep vs e.max vs full-coverage) materially affects how much healthy tooth is removed.
Surgical
- Surgical crown lengthening
Periodontal surgery to expose more tooth structure when gums are excessive or uneven. Performed when aesthetic concerns are primarily gingival.