Smile design is a planning method, not a single procedure. Photographs, a facial analysis and a digital mock-up are used to decide what should change, before anything is done to a tooth. The mock-up can often be tried in the mouth so you see the shape before committing.
The honest part of this conversation is what is reversible. Whitening and orthodontic alignment are conservative. Veneers and crowns involve permanently removing enamel. A good plan does the least irreversible thing that achieves the result.
When smile design & veneers is the right treatment
- Chipped, worn or uneven front teeth
- Discolouration that whitening alone will not correct
- Small gaps between front teeth
- A gummy smile where gum contouring changes the proportion
- Old front crowns or veneers that no longer match
What the treatment involves
- 1
Analysis
Clinical photographs, facial midline and smile line assessment, and a discussion of what specifically you want changed.
- 2
Digital design and mock-up
The proposed shapes are designed digitally and can be trialled directly in the mouth as a temporary mock-up.
- 3
Preparation
Minimal, guided by the mock-up rather than by guesswork. Some cases are no-prep or minimal-prep.
- 4
Fit
Veneers or crowns are bonded, contacts and bite are refined, and the finish is polished.
Cost
Veneers are priced per tooth, so the figure that matters is per tooth multiplied by how many teeth show when you smile.
See veneers & smile design cost in Lucknow →Questions patients ask
Questions patients ask about whitening, veneers and gaps
- Veneers or braces for crooked teeth?
- Is teeth whitening safe?
- Do whitening toothpastes actually work?
- What are the options for dental gap filling between front teeth?
- Can you whiten teeth at home safely?
- What happens in a professional teeth whitening procedure?
- What are the side effects of veneers?
- Do teeth whitening strips work, and are they safe?
- Do teeth whitening pens work?
- Does purple toothpaste whiten teeth?
- What is dental fluorosis, and can the spots be removed?
- Why did my gums turn white after teeth whitening?
- How does chipped tooth repair work?
- Does baking soda teeth whitening work, and is it safe?
- Is hydrogen peroxide teeth whitening safe?
- What is a cosmetic dentist and is it a recognised specialty in India?
- What are veneers, and what does veneers mean?
- What causes stains on teeth and can they be removed?
- Why are my teeth turning black or brown?
- What does betel nut, paan and gutka do to your teeth?
- What causes a gap between teeth and how can it be closed?
- Yellow teeth
- Teeth Whitening Cost in Lucknow
- Veneers & Smile Design Cost in Lucknow
Smile Design & Veneers: common questions
Do veneers damage the natural teeth?
Conventional veneers require removing a thin layer of enamel, which does not grow back, so the tooth will always need a covering afterwards. Minimal-prep and no-prep options exist for suitable cases. This trade-off should be explained before treatment, not after.
Should I align my teeth or veneer them?
If the problem is position, orthodontics is the conservative answer and it keeps the tooth intact. Veneers are for shape, shade and surface. Using veneers purely to hide misalignment usually means cutting more enamel than necessary.
How long do veneers last?
Porcelain veneers commonly last many years with good hygiene. Grinding and biting habits are the main cause of early failure, and a night guard is often advised.
About this page
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a quotation. Your own treatment and cost are determined after an examination. For questions about your own case, call +91 83036 12717.