Creating Your New Smile
At Geelong West Dental, we have improved hundreds of smiles through smile design dentistry. Using state-of-the-art dental techniques – such as Digital Smile Design (DSD) – to address concerns such as misshaped or missing teeth, gaps between teeth, discolouration and more when designing your new smile.
Every smile is unique, but so is our approach. Whether you are looking to address your dental concerns or improve your oral health, we are ready to provide personalised smile design that meet your goals.
What Is Digital Smile Design?
Digital Smile Design (DSD) encompasses a range of innovative treatments designed to improve your smile with precision and personalisation. We provide the following treatments at our smile design dental clinic in Geelong:
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the smile design treatments provided at our clinic. They improve the appearance of your teeth and address issues like discolouration and worn teeth.
Porcelain Crowns
Porcelain crowns may provide durable solutions for more extensive corrections. These custom-made crowns restore the shape, size, and strength of your damaged teeth.
Dental Implants
Replace missing teeth and restore your smile’s functionality with our dental implants. Our dentists work on the integration of implants with your existing teeth.
Dental Bonding
Address chips, cracks, or gaps in your teeth through dental bonding with composites.
Teeth Whitening
Achieve a brighter smile with our advanced teeth whitening treatments, both in-clinic and at-home.
Orthodontic Solutions
Correct misalignments and achieve a straight smile with our orthodontic solutions such as conventional braces or modern clear aligners.
What Is The Process?
Step 1
Our experienced dentists will conduct an initial complimentary consultation to understand your dental concerns. They will then examine your dentition to determine your oral health condition, including the health of present teeth, gums, jaw muscles and more.
Step 2
Post-consultation, we may collect more information such as dental radiographs. We will also take photos and digital scans of your teeth for your treatment planning. Then, we work with our ceramist using the latest technology to create a bespoke smile design for you, which may be digitally mapped onto your face to simulate the smile we plan to achieve.
Dental concerns such as gaps between teeth, discolouration, and worn and misshapen teeth may be improved with porcelain veneers or crowns. Veneers are bonded to the front surface of your teeth, while crowns cover the entire surface. These are customised based on the shape, width, height, and shade of your teeth to close gaps and mask discolouration.
Step 3
Once the digital smile design is completed, we will schedule a follow-up appointment for you to review and discuss any modifications you may wish. We will also discuss the timeframe to complete this case, as well as the estimated number of appointments required. If you approve, we will print a 3D model of the design and schedule your appointments for your treatment.
For porcelain veneers and crowns, your teeth will need to be carefully prepared and digitally scanned. Then, sets of temporary veneers and crowns are made based on your 3D model and placed on your teeth for as long as your case requires. There are many cases where we proceed straight to fitting the final sets of porcelain crowns and veneers.
Step 4
Once the final sets of porcelain veneers and crowns are fabricated, we remove the temporary sets on your teeth. We then cement these final sets of porcelain veneers and crowns permanently and schedule a review appointment as needed.
Here Are Some FAQs About Our Digital Smile Design in Geelong
Are smile design treatments suitable for everyone?
Smile design treatments may be customised to suit individuals of all ages. The team at our smile design dental clinic will tailor the plan to your specific needs and preferences.
What is the recovery process and aftercare like for this treatment?
Temporary Veneers/Crowns
Temporary veneers may be worn for up to a few weeks before the final veneers are inserted. Their material is not as strong and durable as the permanent veneers; hence you should avoid chewy, hard or sticky food to prevent de-bonding or breaking the restorations. Colour-rich food, especially those containing turmeric and spices, can also stain the veneers.
We encourage chewing on the side of the mouth opposite where the temporary veneers are placed. We also recommend brushing the restorations gently and not flossing directly around the temporary material.
Permanent Veneers/Crowns
Once the permanent veneers are cemented, you should avoid eating hard, chewy or sticky foods in the first 24 hours to ensure they remain intact. The recovery period is approximately a week, and you should expect some inflammation, sensitivity and irritation during this time. However, they will eventually subside.
We recommend brushing your teeth and flossing more gently during the healing period. Warm saltwater rinses may also help reduce gum swelling. If discomfort, soreness or pain on biting persists after the recovery period, please call our smile design dental clinic.
What are the risks and complications?
Like any other dental procedure, there are certain risks and complications associated with this treatment, such as:
Infection Around the Crown
In some cases, there may be an infection under a dental crown. Symptoms may include sharp pain in the affected area, swelling or redness. Our experienced dentists will assess the tooth and discuss suitable options, which may involve removal of the crown or root canal treatment.
Loose Crowns
If a dental crown becomes loose, it may de-bond and need replacement. Please call us as soon as possible when this happens so that we may assess the problem. The crown may be re-cemented or replaced if needed.
Sensitivity
It is common to experience sensitivity after the porcelain veneers or crowns are cemented. This should be resolved in one to two weeks. However, prolonged sensitivity will need further assessment.
Chipped or Fractured Crowns
Chipping or fracturing of crowns may occasionally happen due to various factors, including habitual grinding or lack of underlying tooth structure. Our experienced dentists will assess and determine suitable treatment options, which may include replacing the crowns and recommending a nightguard for grinding management.
Cavities
It is possible for decay to happen between the interface of the porcelain veneers or crowns and the tooth surface. Good oral hygiene is important to minimise this risk.
What is the relationship between smile design dentistry and dental veneers?
Digital smile design is the overarching plan for your smile, encompassing considerations of tooth colour, shape, and alignment. Meanwhile, dental veneers and crowns are a cosmetic solution within the smile design plan, addressing various dental concerns for individual teeth.
Can I undergo smile design without getting veneers at Geelong West Dental?
Absolutely. Not everyone requires dental veneers. Smile design is a comprehensive approach to improve your smile; our dental professionals will tailor the smile design plan to your unique needs, incorporating various cosmetic dentistry techniques as necessary.
Is the procedure painful?
Our procedures are designed with your comfort in mind. If you suffer from dental fear, our dentists may suggest alternative options such as sleep dentistry or happy gas during your smile design treatment.
Why Choose Us
Patient-Centred Care
Our skilled dentists work closely with you to understand your dental concerns and goals. You will be provided opportunities to ask questions, discuss your options, and see the envisioned results before we start our treatments.
Customised Digital Smile Design
We design bespoke digital smile designs including dental veneers, implants, and more that harmonise with your facial features. Each dental treatment is meticulously crafted to complement your individuality.
Long-Term Results
The products used by our dentists are made from durable materials that are resistant to staining and wear, with proper maintenance.
Welcoming Environment
We are committed to delivering personalised digital smile design and veneers in a welcoming environment with a team of friendly and professional dentists.
Accessible Payment Options
At Geelong West Dental, we do our best to ensure that our digital smile design services are as accessible as possible. We offer several payment options for your convenience, such as an interest-free payment plan for two years.
Case Studies
Photography and permission to post given by patients. Photos are an indication of results which may vary between individuals. Consultation is required for further assessment.
Case 1: Digital smile design utilising upper porcelain crowns and bridges to replace missing upper teeth (patient was wearing upper partial denture initially), improve shape, colour and appearance, and protection of the upper teeth. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Case 2: This patient had porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges to protect his upper teeth from grinding and to replace the failing root-canal treated, discoloured teeth. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Case 3: This patient has been considering options for her teeth for quite some time before coming to see us. Her main concerns are failing old upper porcelain crowns, worn teeth, and leaky restorations.After a thorough treatment planning utilising digital smile design, we decided on upper porcelain veneers, crowns and bridges to alter shape, size and colour of existing upper front teeth, thereby restoring function and aesthetics.Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Case 4: This patient came to see us looking for options to replace his loose teeth due to advanced gum disease. We also discussed options to replace his missing teeth.We bonded an upper fixed porcelain crown and bridge and replaced his lower front teeth with an interim removable prosthesis in preparation for future implants, thereby restoring aesthetics and chewing function.
Photos were taken at baseline and immediately after insertion of upper bridge.
Case 5: This case is challenging due to thin gingival(gum) biotype and congenitally missing teeth. Using digital smile design, we fabricated upper porcelain crowns and bridges to alter shape, size and colour of existing upper front teeth. We also managed to broaden the smile at the end. Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Case 6: This patient came for a consult to replace his missing front tooth. He has been wearing a removable plate for 5 years. We replaced the missing tooth with a bonded porcelain crown and bridge, thereby restoring the function and aesthetics.
Photos were taken at baseline and immediately after bonding, hence the lips were lower due to anaesthesia.
Case 7: Porcelain crowns and bridges to alter shape, size and colour of existing upper four front teeth. One of the upper teeth was replaced as well due to failing root canal treatment and leaky crown.
Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
Case 8: Ange had upper crowns, bridges and implants to replace missing posterior (back) teeth, alter shape and colour of the front teeth, and protect her teeth from bruxism(grinding). Photos were taken at baseline and one week after insertion.
Case 9: Porcelain crown and bridge were done to replace failing teeth resulted from advanced periodontitis (gum disease). Photos were taken at baseline and one week after bonding.
