Smile Design

What is smile design?

Smile design is a treatment plan in which every detail is planned individually, from the color and shape of the teeth to their alignment and harmony with the lips. The aim is to give the person the most natural and attractive smile. Smile design not only improves the physical appearance but also improves the individual's social and psychological quality of life.

Expectations from smile design:

Expectations from the smile design process are shaped according to the aesthetic, functional, and psychological needs of individuals.

Aesthetic appearance:

Most people desire a more attractive and harmonious smile. The color, shape, size, and alignment of the teeth are expected to be compatible with the facial structure. Especially the correction of crooked, stained, or missing teeth makes a big difference in terms of aesthetics.

Personalized result:

 Each individual has different facial features and needs. For this reason, smile design is expected to be completely personalised and offer a natural and non-artificial result. Patients want a design that suits their own style and facial features.

Functional improvement:

In addition to aesthetics, it is important to improve functional aspects such as chewing, speech, and oral health. For example, correcting misaligned teeth or filling in missing teeth provides both comfort and health benefits.

Increased self-confidence:

 A beautiful smile increases self-confidence in social and professional life. Patients want to smile more comfortably after smile design, look natural in photographs, and feel good in social interactions.

Comfortable and fast process:

Smile design supported by digital technologies offers a comfortable experience. Patients expect to know the result in advance by seeing the 3D visualization of the design before treatment and expect the treatment process to be fast and painless.

Long-Lasting Results:

The durability of the materials used (e.g., porcelain or laminated veneers) and the preservation of the aesthetic appearance for many years with care are the main expectations of the patients.

 

Digital design:

Thanks to digital technologies in modern dentistry, you can see how your new smile will look before you start treatment. This method both clarifies your expectations and allows you to create a shared vision with your dentist. Digital smile design is a roadmap that guides your dentist to plan the most suitable smile for you. It provides great convenience and accelerates the decision-making process, especially for those considering porcelain veneers, laminated veneers or implant treatment. Here are the steps followed in digital smile design:

Digital scanning:

• A detailed 360° scan of your mouth with a special intraoral camera
• It is much more comfortable and precise than conventional impressions.
• Your teeth, gums, and facial structure are recorded in millimetre measurements

Facial analysis and aesthetic planning:

• Your facial features, lip structure, and smile line are analyzed.
• The ideal smile design is made according to the golden ratio (1:1.618) principle
• Your dentist determines tooth size/shape ratios, tooth color gradation, and gum levels specifically for you

Simulation with 3D modelling:

• A digital model is created with CAD/CAM technology
• Three-dimensional simulation is made with special software
• Real-time changes are possible.

Virtual trial (Mock-up):

• The designed smile is temporarily applied in your mouth
• You can test how it will look in daily life
• The finishing touches are made at this stage

Digital Production:

• With an approved design, temporary restorations are produced with 3D printers.
• Porcelain laminates are prepared in CAD/CAM milling machines

Treatment methods applied in smile design:

Smile design in aesthetic dentistry includes the following comprehensive treatment options:

Professional teeth whitening systems:

Office whitening:

• Power whitening (up to 8 tones in 45 minutes)
• Laser bleaching (light activated)

Home whitening:

• 7-14 day cures with personalised trays
• Gels containing 10-16% carbamide peroxide

Minimally invasive laminate applications:

• Prep-less laminates (0.3 mm)
• Semi-prep laminates (0.5-0.7 mm)

Composite applications:

Direct bonding:

• Single session application with nano-hybrid composites
• Natural appearance with stratification technique

Indirect bonding:

Laboratory-produced composite laminates

Full ceramic restorations:

• Zirconium oxide crowns (1200 MPa strength)
• Monolithic zirconium (translucent)
• Lithium disilicate crowns (400 MPa strength)

Gum aesthetic applications:

• Soft tissue laser gingivoplasty (Diode laser, Er:YAG laser)
• Electrosurgical contouring
• Gingival margin level adjustment

Orthodontic treatments:

• Fixed appliances: Lingual orthodontics (behind the tongue), ceramic brackets
• Removable appliances: Invisalign (SmartTrack material)

Implant - dentures:

Occlusal arrangements:

• Functional wax-up
• T-Scan analysis Single tooth implant: immediate load (same-day loading), delayed load
• All-on-4/All-on-6 concepts
• PMMA temporary prostheses
• Splint treatments

Integration of facial aesthetics:

• Botulinum toxin applications: Smile line stabilisation, lip flip technique
• Fillers: Nasolabial angle adjustment, vermilion border contouring

Treatment combinations:

For younger patients:

• Invisalign (6 months)
• Zoom whitening (2 sessions)
• Prep-less laminate (between 6 and 11)

Middle age group:

• Laser gingivectomy
• Zirconium laminate (0.5 mm)
• Minimal prep veneers

Advanced age group:

• All-on-4 implant
• Pink aesthetics (gingival prosthesis)
• Occlusal balancing

Benefits of smile design:

• The treatment options offered to patients increase, and the treatment plan can be adapted more flexibly to the patient's needs. Trying out different designs in a digital environment helps patients find the most suitable smile that matches their preferences.
• Digital Smile Design allows patients to better express their needs, requirements, and expectations. Additionally, it contributes to more efficient management of the treatment process by facilitating better communication between dentists, technicians, and other team members.
• With smile design, smiles can be designed that are specific to each patient and compatible with their facial features. This helps patients have smiles that are more suitable for them and make them feel better.
• It allows patients to actively participate in the smile design process. This helps patients better understand the treatment process and take more ownership of the treatment outcomes.
• Smile design can be performed in the mouth within a few minutes. This minimizes the pre-treatment waiting time for patients, allowing them to achieve faster results.

Disadvantages of smile design

The ideal smile design should be harmonious with the person's facial features, functional, and natural-looking.Instead of excessively white and symmetrical teeth, designs tailored to the individual's needs and suitable for a healthy oral structure provide longer-term satisfaction.Smile design, especially when aiming for Hollywood-style perfect-looking teeth, can lead to some unexpected results.

• Risk of excessive artificial appearance
• Teeth that are far from natural, overly white, and symmetrical
• The appearance of "porcelain baby teeth"
• Excessive erosion of healthy tooth enamel
• Increased sensitivity and risk of cavities
• The potential need for more extensive treatments in the future
• Gum recession and color changes
• Darkening at the edges of the crown
• Adaptation problems that may develop over time
• Adaptation problems in speech and chewing functions
• Imbalance in bite force
• Complaints of extreme sensitivity
• High cost
• The need for special care products
• The need for periodic renewal may arise
  

Who are suitable candidates for a smile design?

Smile design is a personalized treatment that can be applied to individuals from almost every age group. Ideal candidates and criteria:

Those with aesthetic concerns:

• Those who are dissatisfied with the colour, shape, or alignment of their teeth
• Those with excessive gums when smiling (gummy smile)
• Those with broken, worn or old filled teeth

Those with functional dental problems:

• Those with chewing difficulties
• Speech impairment (due to tooth structure)
• Those with jaw joint pain (due to malocclusion)

Suitability according to age groups:

18-35 years:

• Combination of orthodontic treatment and laminate veneers
• Fractured tooth repair after sports injury
• 36-55 years:
• Whitening and bonding for discoloured teeth
• Porcelain crowns for worn teeth

55+ years:

• Implant-supported dentures
• Root surface closure due to gum recession

Special cases:

• Congenital tooth deficiency (hypodontia)
• Traumatised individuals
• Impaired development of tooth enamel (amelogenesis imperfecta)

Who cannot have a smile design?

While smile design offers transformative results for many, certain conditions may temporarily or permanently disqualify a patient from treatment.

Absolute contraindications (not eligible):

Active gum disease (periodontitis):

• Uncontrolled infection risks implant/bonding failure
• Requires 3-6 months of periodontal therapy first

Unmanaged tooth decay:

• Cavities must be treated before cosmetic procedures
• Especially critical for veneer/crown candidates

Severe bruxism (teeth grinding)

• Night guards mandatory before treatment
• May disqualify for veneers without occlusal adjustment

Insufficient tooth structure:

• May require crowns instead

Growing jaws (Under Age 16):

• Orthodontic completion usually needed first
• Exceptions for trauma cases

Temporary restrictions:

Pregnancy (elective procedures):

• Delay whitening/veneer bonding until postpartum
• Emergency treatments still permitted

Orthodontic treatment in progress:

• Must complete tooth movement first
• Clear aligner users may qualify for hybrid plans

Recent oral surgery:

• Implant sites need full osseointegration
• Extraction sites require complete healing

Uncontrolled systemic diseases

• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmune disorders (active flares)

Are age and gender important in smile design treatment?

Age or gender is usually not an important factor in the treatment of a smile design (with some limitations). A smile design can be suitable for anyone who is unhappy with their teeth and wants a significant change in their appearance. However, there are some important considerations:

Age:

Children:

Some treatments, such as teeth whitening, are not recommended for children under 13 or pregnant women. Therefore, the treatment plan for young patients should be carefully considered.

Adults:

The Hollywood smile is becoming increasingly popular among adults and can be performed at any age.

Older age:

Older patients can also benefit from this treatment. It is important that overall oral health is appropriate and that the treatment plan is tailored to individual needs.

Gender:

Gender is not an obstacle for Hollywood smile treatment. Men can also benefit from this treatment.

Care after smile design:

After Smile Design, care is very important for a long-lasting and healthy smile.

Things to do:

Pay extra attention to oral hygiene:

• Tooth brushing: 2 times a day with a soft-bristled brush (use a special non-abrasive paste).
• Flossing: 1 time a day (to prevent food debris from getting between the laminates).
• Interdental brush: For cleaning bridges and implants.

Go for regular dental checkups:

• Every 6 months (to check gum health and restorations).
• Professional cleaning: 1-2 times a year to prevent tartar formation.

Pay attention to your diet:

• First 48 hours: Avoid staining foods (coffee, tea, red wine, cigarettes).
• Do not bite hard foods: Cut foods such as apples and nuts into small pieces.

Use protective products:

• Night plate (splint): Be sure to use if you have tooth clenching (bruxism).
• Fluoride mouthwash: Strengthens tooth enamel.

Review your habits:

• Avoid habits such as pen biting and nail biting.
• Wear a mouth guard when doing sports (especially contact sports such as boxing and basketball).

Things not to do:

Avoid hard and sticky foods:

• Sticky foods such as chewing gum, jelly beans, and caramel can dislodge the laminae.
• Chewing ice and hard candies can crack porcelain.

Do not open objects with your mouth:

• Operations such as opening bottle caps and packages damage the restorations.

Avoid smoking and excessive coffee consumption:

• Smoking: Staining of laminates and gum recession.
• Coffee/tea: Excessive consumption may cause discoloration (whitening effect decreases).

Do not use whitening pastes:

• Pastes containing abrasives deteriorate the polish of porcelain.

How much does a smile design treatment cost?

Smile design cost comparison (EUR):

F.A.Q.

Which branch of dentistry should I go to for smile design?

Aesthetic dentists, prosthetic specialists (prosthetics), or oral, dental, and maxillofacial surgeons should be preferred.

Are smile design and Hollywood smiles the same thing?

This is a question that often arises in the minds of those interested in smile aesthetics. In fact, these two concepts are related but have different meanings.

Smile design is like a personal work of art. Like a painter working on a canvas, your dentist closely examines your facial features, lip structure, and gum appearance. Working almost like an architect, he or she draws the best smile design for you. This may involve a combination of techniques, such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and gum treatment.

The Hollywood smile is one of the most glamorous examples of this art. Named after the dazzling smiles of movie stars, the Hollywood smile is all about having white, symmetrical, flawless-looking teeth. The important detail here, however, is that the design is personalized.

Is digital smile design done in every clinic?

No, this procedure requires special equipment and software. Therefore, you should prefer clinics with technological infrastructure. One of these clinics is MagicTouch Dental Clinic

Is Hollywood smile design a painful procedure?

Teeth are numbed with local anesthetics in every procedure that has the possibility of pain. Therefore, smile design applications are not painful procedures.

Can Hollywood smile design be done without anesthesia?

Anesthesia may be required for sensitive teeth. It can be applied without anesthesia only during the bonding phase.

How many sessions are required for smile design?

Smile design requires an average of 2-3 sessions (consultation, preparation, and application).

Will my teeth look natural after Smile design?

Yes, a completely natural appearance is provided with porcelain with high light transmittance.

Can a gummy smile be corrected with smile design?

Yes, it is solved with laser gum correction (gingivoplasty)

Is a Hollywood smile permanent?

They have a lifespan of 10-15 years; they can be used longer with the right care. There may be color change or edge darkening over time.

Can Botox and dermal fillers be used for Hollywood smiles?

Only dental treatments may not be sufficient to achieve excellent results in smile design. In professional clinics, approaches that address smile aesthetics holistically are adopted. Botox applications are especially preferred to balance the appearance of excessive gums during smiling. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, create a harmonious appearance with the teeth by increasing the lip volume and clarifying the contour around the mouth.

The most important goal in aesthetic smile design is to achieve results compatible with facial anatomy. While muscle balance is achieved with Botox, fillers minimize the signs of aging. However, it should not be forgotten that successful results are possible with personalized treatments designed specifically for the patient's facial structure. Instead of overly full lips or artificial-looking teeth, approaches that prioritize naturalness should be preferred. Choosing quality materials and working with experienced physicians ensures both safe and aesthetically satisfying results.

Is smile design the same as teeth whitening?

No, teeth whitening only lightens the color tone. Smile design is a more comprehensive procedure that covers the shape, arrangement, and aesthetics of the teeth.

Is smile design reversible?

Some procedures (e.g., laminated veneers) cannot be reversed, but options can be discussed with your dentist in advance.