In brief: Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments that change the colour, shape, alignment or gum line of your teeth: whitening, composite bonding, veneers, gum contouring, aligners and all-ceramic crowns, alone or combined in a smile makeover. Each solves a different problem, lasts a different length of time and costs a different amount. Good cosmetic work starts with a health check of teeth, gums and bite, and a written plan before anything is done.
Health first, then appearance
At Dazzle, cosmetic work is planned only after your teeth, gums and bite have been examined. Veneers placed over inflamed gums or untreated decay tend to fail early, so these are treated first.
Sequence also matters for looks. Whitening only lightens natural teeth, while crowns, veneers and composite keep their colour. If you plan both, whitening comes first and restorations are matched to the new shade.
The main treatments
Teeth whitening
Professional whitening uses a peroxide gel to break down stain inside the enamel and dentine. In-clinic (Zoom) whitening uses a stronger gel in a single session; home whitening uses a milder gel in custom trays, usually worn for about two weeks. Results fade gradually and can be topped up. Office whitening is from ₹15,000 (cleaning extra) and home whitening ₹9,000.
Composite bonding
Tooth-coloured resin is built up on the tooth, hardened with a light and polished in one visit, usually with no drilling. It suits small chips, small gaps between front teeth and minor shape changes. Composite slowly loses its gloss and can stain or chip, so it often needs polishing or repair after some years. It is less suited to deep staining, large changes in length, or patients who grind without a night guard. Composite laminates, resin veneers and bonding are from ₹10,000 per tooth.
Porcelain veneers
Thin ceramic shells bonded to the front of the teeth after removing a thin layer of enamel, usually about 0.3 to 0.5 mm. E.max lithium disilicate is the usual material at Dazzle, with hand-layered feldspathic porcelain an option for some demanding front-tooth cases. Veneers suit deep discolouration, larger shape and size changes, and several teeth that need to match. Preparation is irreversible, so a digital smile design and mock-up come first. Porcelain veneers are from ₹25,000 per tooth. Compare materials in composite vs porcelain veneers or see our veneers page.
Gum contouring and crown lengthening
Gum contouring reshapes the gum line where too much gum covers normal-sized teeth or the gum margins are uneven. At Dazzle it is done with the Fotona LightWalker laser, usually without stitches, and the gum typically settles over one to two weeks. If the bone sits too close to the planned gum margin, crown lengthening reshapes bone as well. A gummy smile caused by a very mobile upper lip or jaw position needs a different approach. Cosmetic gum surgery is from ₹25,000 and crown lengthening from ₹7,000.
Aligners and all-ceramic crowns
Clear aligners or braces move teeth into a better position, which often means less enamel has to be removed for veneers later. Teeth that are heavily filled, cracked or root-canal treated usually need a crown rather than a veneer; an all-ceramic or zirconia crown can match the neighbouring teeth. Zirconia crowns are from ₹15,000.
Smile makeover
A smile makeover is a plan that combines several of these treatments in the right order. Read our smile makeover guide for the steps and timelines, and our guide to digital smile design for how it is planned. Smile analysis and treatment planning is from ₹5,000, and 3D smile simulation ₹15,000.
Which treatment for which problem?
- Colour only, teeth otherwise fine: whitening first. Veneers if deep staining does not respond.
- Small chips or gaps: composite bonding.
- Shape, size or several teeth to match: veneers, or composite for modest changes.
- Crooked or crowded teeth: aligners or braces; veneers only disguise minor irregularities.
- Too much gum or uneven gum line: gum contouring or crown lengthening.
- Weak, heavily filled or missing teeth: crowns, bridges or implants as part of the plan.
Who should do your cosmetic work?
In India, "cosmetic dentist" is not a formal specialty or protected title. Any dentist can offer cosmetic treatment. The recognised postgraduate (MDS) specialties most involved are prosthodontics for veneers, crowns and smile design, periodontology for gum contouring and crown lengthening, and orthodontics for aligners and braces.
At Dazzle, larger cases are planned with these specialists working together. Our team includes MDS prosthodontists, a periodontist, orthodontists, an endodontist and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, with the in-house lab, Dream Dental Studio, making the ceramic work on site.
What a good cosmetic consultation includes
- Photos of your face and teeth, at rest and smiling
- An examination of teeth, gums and bite, with X-rays where needed
- A digital scan, at Dazzle with the TRIOS 5 intraoral scanner
- A diagnosis of the underlying problems, not only the cosmetic concerns
- A written plan with the sequence of treatment, a timeline and an itemised cost
A plan that jumps straight to "you need eight veneers" without checking gums and bite is incomplete.
Questions to ask before you start
- What training does the dentist have for this specific procedure?
- Will I see a digital design or mock-up before any tooth is prepared?
- Which steps are reversible and which are not?
- What is included in the quoted price, and what could cost extra?
- How are adjustments handled after the restorations are fitted?
- How long should this result last, and what upkeep will it need?
FAQs
Is cosmetic dentistry permanent?
It varies. Veneer preparation is irreversible, though veneers themselves can be replaced. Whitening fades gradually. Composite bonding can usually be polished off or repaired. Gum contouring is usually long-lasting, though some gum may grow back. Your plan should say which is which.
Does dental insurance cover cosmetic treatment?
Purely cosmetic work such as whitening or veneers for appearance is generally not covered by insurance in India. Treatment that is also restorative, such as a crown on a broken tooth, may be partly covered depending on your policy. Check with your insurer.
Can cosmetic and restorative work be done together?
Yes, and planning them together avoids mismatched shades. A tooth that needs a crown for strength can receive an all-ceramic crown made to match the planned veneers.
Not sure which cosmetic treatment fits your concern? Book a Consult at our Bandra West or Kemps Corner clinic.
