The difference in one table
| Smile design | Smile makeover | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The plan | The treatment |
| Involves | Photos, video, 3D scan, digital design, trial smile | Whitening, bonding, veneers, crowns, aligners, gum contouring |
| Changes your teeth | No | Yes |
| You get | A preview you can approve or change | Your new smile |
What smile design looks at
- Your face. Tooth length and position relative to your lips at rest and when you smile.
- Proportions. The width-to-length ratio of each tooth and how the front teeth relate to each other.
- The gum line. Whether it’s even, and how much gum shows when you smile.
- Colour. A shade that suits your skin and the whites of your eyes, not the brightest possible.
- Your bite. A smile has to function, so the design is checked against how your teeth meet.
Which makeover treatments suit which problems
| Concern | Often treated with |
|---|---|
| Yellow or dull teeth | Whitening |
| Chips, small gaps, uneven edges | Composite bonding |
| Discoloured, worn or misshapen front teeth | Veneers |
| Heavily filled or broken teeth | Crowns |
| Crooked or crowded teeth | Invisalign or clear aligners |
| Gummy or uneven gum line | Gum contouring |
| Dark or patchy gums | Gum depigmentation |
Straightening teeth first can mean fewer or thinner veneers later, so a good plan considers the order, not just the end result.
At Petal Smiles
Our cosmetic dentist and prosthodontist Dr. Adish Chaudhary design the smile together, with our orthodontist and periodontist when teeth or gums need attention first. Where veneers or crowns are planned, you can try a trial smile first, and you’ll get a written estimate once the design is agreed. See smile makeover.
Questions patients ask us
What is digital smile design?
Planning your new smile on screen from photographs, video and a 3D scan of your teeth, using your face, lips and gum line as the guide. The design can be turned into a mock-up that you try on your own teeth before any treatment.
Can I see my new smile before treatment?
Usually, yes. A trial smile (mock-up) made from the design is placed over your teeth temporarily, so you can see it, show family and ask for changes.
What treatments are part of a smile makeover?
Whatever your design needs. Common ones are whitening, composite bonding, veneers, crowns, gum contouring and aligners, sometimes combined.
How long does a smile makeover take?
From one visit for bonding to a few months if aligners or gum treatment come first. Veneers usually take two to three weeks.
How much does a smile makeover cost?
It depends on how many teeth are treated and the treatments chosen. You'll get a written estimate once your design is agreed.
Sources
ADA MouthHealthy: veneers ↗NHS: dental treatments ↗Last updated 14 October 2026.