Smile design and cosmetic dentistry
Gums, tooth color, length and alignment are planned together for a natural smile that suits your face. Treatment is often a combined plan of whitening, veneers and gum contouring.
Last updated: 9 November 2026
What is smile design?
Smile design is not a single treatment but a planning approach. The structure of your face, your lip line, and the color, length and shape of your teeth and the appearance of your gums are assessed together; then we decide which treatments, in which order, will achieve the smile you want.
The goal of good smile design is not “the same white teeth for everyone” but a natural look that suits your face and age. That is why planning is built on healthy teeth and gums: problems such as decay, gum inflammation and clenching are treated first.
Treatments used in smile design
Teeth whitening
Lightening the natural color of the teeth under dentist supervision. The first step of most plans.
Prepless veneers
Thin porcelain shells bonded with no or minimal tooth preparation.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain bonded to the front surface to change color, length and shape.
Zirconia crowns
Metal-free crowns for teeth with major structure loss or root canal treatment.
Composite bonding
Small chips and gaps corrected in one session with tooth-colored filling material.
Gum contouring
Uneven gum levels corrected in suitable cases, planned by our periodontist.
Send us your question and our dentist will answer based on your situation. A definite plan cannot be made without an examination; the first step is a short consultation.
How is it planned?
- Examination. Teeth, gums and jaw joint are checked; X-rays are taken at the practice if needed.
- Expectations. We talk about what you would like to change in your smile.
- Photographs and impressions. Face and smile photographs and impressions are taken.
- Plan and options. We explain which treatments will be done, in which order and over how many appointments. If there are several options, we review their advantages and limits together.
- Treatment and follow-up. The plan you approve is carried out step by step.
Why health comes first
Veneers or crowns placed on inflamed gums may not meet expectations in appearance or durability. That is why cosmetic treatments at our practice are planned together with a gum assessment by our periodontist Dr. Nazlı Özdemir when needed. Your diagnosis and treatment plan are prepared as a team, together with you.
Frequently asked questions
How many appointments does smile design take?
It depends on the treatments chosen. Whitening and bonding alone are completed quickly, while plans with veneers or crowns take several appointments because of the laboratory stage.
Can I see the result in advance?
In suitable cases the planned tooth shape is tried in your mouth temporarily; the permanent stage begins once you have seen and approved it.
Can my smile be improved without cutting my teeth?
In suitable cases, whitening, bonding and prepless veneers can give results with little or no tooth preparation. It depends on the position of your teeth and your expectations.
How much does smile design cost?
The cost depends on the type and number of treatments in the plan. You receive a written plan after the examination.
What is a Hollywood smile?
“Hollywood smile” is a popular term usually meaning renewing the front teeth with veneers or crowns at the same time. We plan your smile according to your face, gums and the condition of your teeth, and keep a natural look as the priority.
The information on this page is for general guidance only. The treatment that suits you is decided by your dentist after an examination and any necessary tests; the duration and outcome of treatment vary from person to person.
Treatments often planned together.
CosmeticPrepless veneersContact-lens-thin porcelain veneers bonded with no or minimal tooth preparation.
CosmeticPorcelain veneersThin porcelain shells bonded to the front teeth to correct color, length and shape.
CosmeticTeeth whiteningDiscoloration of the enamel is lightened under dentist supervision, in the practice or at home.
General treatmentsGum treatmentBleeding when brushing, swelling or receding gums. Treated by our periodontist, Dr. Nazlı Özdemir.