Quick Links
About Cosmetic Dentistry
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental work done on your teeth, gums or even jaw to improve the appearance of your smile. It focuses on different aspects of aesthetics including the alignment of your teeth, the colour, the shape and size.
With the help of cosmetic dentistry, it is possible to change the way you look and achieve the smile you want.
What conditions can cosmetic dentistry treat?
Crooked or misaligned teeth
Crooked or misaligned teeth is very common. It can be a result of anything from genetics, dental trauma, jaw size or prolonged habits.
Consequences of untreated crooked or misaligned teeth: Poor dental hygiene, periodontal disease, chewing and digestion problems, speech difficulties.
Chipped and cracked teeth
Chipped and cracked teeth (fractured teeth) can be caused by bruxism, chewing on hard foods or objects, poorly done dental fillings, age, or dental trauma.
Consequences of untreated chipped and cracked teeth: Tooth sensitivity, toothaches, severe pain.
Gaps between teeth
Gaps between teeth can be a result of gum disease, missing teeth, smaller teeth, an oversized frenum, or simply be a dental development that has become a cosmetic concern.
Consequences of untreated gaps between teeth: There is usually no cause for concern, unless caused by gum disease.
Misshapen teeth
Misshapen teeth (malformed teeth) occur because of genetics and developmental conditions. The condition may be isolated to a single tooth or throughout the mouth.
Consequences of untreated misshapen teeth: Cavities or tooth decay.
Tooth discolouration or staining
Tooth discolouration or staining can be a result of smoking or tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, foods, drinks and medications or dental trauma.
Consequences of untreated tooth discolouration or staining: Plaque and tartar accumulation, tooth decay, gum disease.
Advantages of Cosmetic Dentistry
What are the benefits of cosmetic dentistry?
How much do cosmetic dentistry treatments really cost?
If you have been wondering what fair and average cost of cosmetic dentistry treatments would look like, these are a list of costs and the breakdown of costs for each cosmetic dentistry treatment in Singapore.
Gum Contouring
Cost Range
$500 - $1,000
Invisalign
Cost Range
$3,800 - $9,800
Braces
Cost Range
$3500 - $6,800
Teeth Whitening
Cost Range
$500 - $990
Smile Makeover
Cost Range
Dependant on complexity
Cosmetic dentistry queries answered
Looking to find out more about cosmetic dentistry? Here are some commonly asked questions that you might be looking for answers for.
Cosmetic dentistry works to enhance your overall facial appearance with a combination of dental cosmetic procedures.
General dentistry, on the other hand, focuses on prevention and treatment of dental conditions.
Your dentist is most likely to be able to do both efficiently, but might choose to focus on either or.
The rule of thumb is that if you have healthy teeth and gums, you can undergo cosmetic dental treatments.
If you are currently suffering from extensive cavities, or from gum disease, you might want to address these dental conditions first before proceeding with any cosmetic dental treatment.
Should you wish to assess your current dental health before a cosmetic treatment is done, drop me a message or send me an email at contact@dramandakoh.com.
The best cosmetic dentist is subjective and based on personal preference!
If I were a patient, I would look for a cosmetic dentist that truly has the expertise and experience to work towards my desired outcome. I would also make sure that the dentist puts me at ease.
This is important as you are about to take a big step (and probably a rather long journey) in improving your smile.
Some key tips I can give you are:
- An expensive dentist does not mean the best option for you. Cost is not the sole determinant of whether a dentist is qualified.
- Look for prior evidence of their work. This can be in the form of Google Reviews or even social media posts from patients. Happy patients tend to share about their experiences on different platforms.
- Always ask your cosmetic dentist questions if you are in doubt. The consultation session is a great way to ascertain whether you would like to work with the dentist or not.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are not supposed to damage your teeth. That would be the exact reverse of what you are trying to achieve!
If you are doing your cosmetic dentistry treatments with the right dentist or dental clinic, it is highly unlikely that this will happen.
Unfortunately, I have seen patients who have done dental veneers, self-administered clear aligners or teeth whitening without a licensed professional – all to terrible and regrettable results.
It really depends on what you are looking to achieve and your current oral health. Different cosmetic dentistry treatments require different lengths of time.
The better your oral health is, the easier and faster it can be to start working on your cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Certain treatments like dental veneers, Invisalign or braces require a longer time frame. It would not be possible to complete treatment within a single session.
Just as a benchmark of what to expect, I have listed down an average length of treatment for you:
- Professional teeth whitening: 1 – 2 hours
- Dental bonding and tooth contouring: About 1 hour per tooth
- Dental veneers: About 2 – 3 appointments
- Invisalign: 12 – 36 months
- Braces: 12 – 36 months
If you would like to find out more about the length of time it would take to complete the smile you desire, drop me a message or send me an email at contact@dramandakoh.com
There is no hard no or yes to this.
Most DIY or home whitening dental kits are not as strong as professional dental whitening. They can also often times be more acidic, which can increase the risk of teeth and gum damage.
Another issue I usually have with DIY or home whitening kits are that it does not take into account the oral health of the patient using it. If you are currently suffering from an existing dental condition, using such products can aggravate the dental condition and cause further damage.
In addition, if you have any existing dental restorations like dental fillings or dental crowns, they might not be able to be whitened uniformly unless it is done by a professional.
My advice is to always check in with a dental professional before using any DIY or home whitening kits.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to use Medisave for cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Medisave usually covers dental treatments that are surgical and critical in nature.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments are done for the purpose of enhancing your general appearance and will not be covered by Medisave.
If budget is a concern, it might be possible to speak to your dentist about staggering the treatment plan or discussing viable payment options that might be more comfortable for your wallet.
Cosmetic dental services that I can help you with
Starting a new journey can be scary. As a dentist focused on cosmetic dentistry, I am ready to help you navigate all your required treatments – easily.
About Me
Dr Amanda Koh: The Invisalign dentist
I created this website earlier this year to help my patients and you discover better ways to improve your smile. If you would like to find out more about me, please check out my About page, or drop me a message.