Dr. David Cheng
Lead Dentist
Dr. Cheng’s clinical scope includes cosmetic and restorative dentistry, Invisalign and implant care. His profile also documents extensive continuing education and clinical case work.
Meet Dr. David Cheng →Cosmetic dentistry treatment guide
Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments & Options
Compare cosmetic dental treatments for colour, shape, alignment, spacing, gum contours and missing teeth, with personalized planning at our Kitsilano clinic in Vancouver.
What cosmetic dentistry can address
Cosmetic dentistry focuses on the appearance of teeth and gums, but good planning starts with oral health and function. Treatment may be considered for concerns such as tooth colour, small chips, worn edges, spaces, tooth proportions, alignment, gum contours or older restorations that no longer blend well with the surrounding teeth.
Some concerns can be addressed with one conservative treatment. Others are better managed by combining restorative, orthodontic and cosmetic approaches in a planned sequence. An examination helps determine whether the teeth and gums are healthy enough for elective treatment and whether another dental issue should be treated first.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services
Explore individual treatment options below. Each page explains what the treatment can and cannot change, who may be a candidate, and what to expect before deciding on care.
Smile MakeoverCoordinate whitening, aligners, bonding, veneers or contouring when several smile concerns need to be planned together.
Professional Teeth WhiteningDentist-supervised Zoom! in-office and take-home whitening options for eligible natural teeth.
Porcelain VeneersPorcelain restorations that can change the visible shape, colour and proportions of selected teeth.
Composite Tooth BondingComposite resin for selected chips, worn edges, small spaces or tooth-shape concerns.
Invisalign Clear AlignersClear aligners to improve tooth position in selected crowding or spacing cases.
Tooth & Gum RecontouringConservative reshaping of selected tooth edges or gum contours when clinically appropriate.
Botox TreatmentAssessment-based Botox treatment for selected cosmetic or dental indications.
Tooth Gems & Dental JewelryDecorative tooth gems for suitable tooth surfaces, with attention to oral hygiene and maintenance.
Dentists involved in cosmetic care
Cosmetic treatment planning at Westcoast Smile is provided within the clinic’s broader restorative and dental care. Learn more about the dentists whose experience and continuing education help inform treatment planning, then review the individual treatment pages for procedure-specific details.
Dr. Jeffrey Norden
Dentist & Founder
Dr. Norden founded Westcoast Smile and has longstanding experience in aesthetic and rehabilitative dentistry, supported by continuing education and professional involvement in cosmetic and esthetic dentistry organizations.
Meet Dr. Jeffrey Norden →Choosing between cosmetic treatment options
Different procedures can sometimes address the same visible concern in different ways. A small space, for example, might be approached with orthodontic movement, bonding or a veneer depending on the tooth position, proportions, enamel and bite. A dark tooth may need a different assessment from generalized staining across many natural teeth.
The most conservative suitable option is not always the same for every patient. Important questions include how much tooth structure would need to be changed, whether the treatment is reversible, how the bite will affect it, what future maintenance is likely, and whether the result depends on treating neighbouring teeth as well.
Whitening, bonding or veneers?
Whitening changes the shade of natural tooth structure but does not change tooth shape or the colour of existing restorations. Bonding can alter shape and repair selected defects with composite resin, while veneers are laboratory-made restorations that cover the visible front surface of selected teeth. Examination of the tooth structure and bite helps determine which approaches are reasonable.
Align first or restore first?
When crowding or spacing is part of the concern, moving the teeth with clear aligners may improve position before bonding or veneers are considered. In some cases that can reduce the amount of restorative change required. In others, restorative treatment may still be needed after alignment to address shape, wear or colour.
Who may be a candidate for cosmetic dental treatment?
Candidacy depends on the treatment and the condition of the teeth and gums. Active decay, gum disease, significant bite problems or other dental concerns may need attention before elective cosmetic work. Medical history, habits such as smoking or grinding, existing restorations and expectations can also affect the plan.
You do not need to know which procedure you want before a consultation. It is often more useful to describe the concern—such as colour, shape, spacing or worn dental work—and then compare the appropriate options.
What happens at a cosmetic dentistry consultation?
At Westcoast Smile, the consultation begins with your goals and the specific features you would like to discuss. The dentist reviews oral health, existing dental work, the bite and the teeth and gums involved. Photographs, radiographs or other records may be recommended when they add useful information to treatment planning.
If more than one treatment is reasonable, we can compare what each option changes, how invasive it is, how long treatment may take, what maintenance may be needed and how it fits with your budget. For multi-treatment plans, the order matters; orthodontic movement, whitening, gum treatment and restorations may need to be sequenced rather than performed independently.
Cost, insurance and maintenance considerations
Costs vary widely because cosmetic dentistry includes treatments ranging from whitening or bonding to orthodontics and multi-tooth restorative care. The number of teeth involved, materials, laboratory work and treatment complexity all affect the estimate. After an examination, we can provide a plan that explains the proposed stages and fees.
Dental plans often limit or exclude treatment performed primarily for cosmetic reasons, although coverage may apply to portions of care that are clinically necessary. Coverage depends on the individual plan. Long-term maintenance also varies: whitening may need future touch-ups, bonding can chip or stain, and restorations require ongoing dental care and may eventually need repair or replacement.
Maintenance after cosmetic dental treatment
Cosmetic dental treatment is not maintenance-free. Home care, professional dental visits and bite-related habits can affect restorations and the surrounding teeth and gums. Composite may stain or chip, whitening can fade as new staining develops, and porcelain or other restorations may need repair or replacement over time.
If you grind or clench, the dentist may discuss whether additional protection is appropriate for the treatment being planned. Regular reviews also help identify changes in the gums, bite or restorations before they become larger problems. The expected maintenance should be part of the decision before treatment begins.
See real cosmetic dentistry cases
Real treatment examples can help illustrate how procedures are combined, but they do not predict an individual outcome. Explore our cosmetic dentistry cases and coordinated smile-design examples below.
Not sure which cosmetic treatment fits your concern?
Request a consultation at our Kitsilano clinic to review your oral health, goals and reasonable treatment options.