Aesthetic Dentistry İstanbul

Multidisciplinary scientific editor: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Oğuz Öztoprak – Specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Clinical scientific review: Restorative and prosthetic applications are clinically reviewed by the relevant restorative or prosthodontic dentist; gum procedures by the periodontist; and implant procedures by the dentist working in oral and maxillofacial surgery, before publication.
Last updated: 23 July 2026

Aesthetic dentistry is a treatment approach that aims to create a healthy, natural and personalized smile by evaluating the teeth, gums, lips and face together.

Aesthetic dental treatment does not mean only whitening the teeth or crowning all the front teeth. In some patients, only professional cleaning and whitening may be sufficient. In some patients, bringing the teeth into the correct position with clear aligners and then only making small bonding applications is the most conservative option. In teeth with large fillings, fractures or lost structural support, on the other hand, porcelain veneers, E-max, zirconium or different crown restorations may be needed.

The main aim of correct aesthetic planning is not to create the whitest or most symmetrical teeth possible. The priority is:

• Preserving oral and dental health,
• Preserving natural tooth tissue as much as possible,
• Establishing gum health,
• Evaluating the occlusion of the lower and upper teeth,
• Obtaining an appearance in harmony with the face and lips,
• Making the restorations cleanable and sustainable in the long term.

For this reason, aesthetic dentistry is not a single procedure; it is a multidisciplinary field that brings together orthodontics, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, periodontology, implantology and, when needed, a jaw joint evaluation.

In the aesthetic dentistry assessments carried out at Dentapolitan in Istanbul, not only the patient’s smile in a photograph but the structural health of the teeth, the amount of existing enamel, the gum level, lip movements, speech, jaw occlusion, clenching findings and long-term care requirements are evaluated together.

What is aesthetic dentistry?

Aesthetic dentistry is the whole of the diagnostic, planning and treatment applications that aim to improve the appearance of the teeth and the smile while preserving oral and dental health.

Treatment can include one or more of the following areas:

• Adjustment of the tooth colour
• Changing of tooth shapes
• Repair of fractures and wear
• Closure of gaps between the teeth
• Correction of crowding
• Adjustment of gum levels
• Renewal of old fillings and veneers
• Completion of missing teeth
• Making the smile line harmonious with the face and lips
• Rebuilding of chewing and occlusion function

The treatments used in aesthetic dentistry should not be selected according to cosmetic results only. Every procedure has biological and mechanical effects on the natural tooth, gum, root and jaw system.

Are aesthetic dentistry and cosmetic dentistry the same thing?

In everyday use, these two expressions can be used interchangeably. However, “aesthetic dentistry” expresses a more comprehensive approach.

Cosmetic dentistry often evokes only procedures that change the appearance. Aesthetic dentistry, on the other hand, evaluates, besides the appearance:

• Dental health,
• Gum health,
• Chewing function,
• Occlusal relationships,
• Speech,
• Long-term care and cleanability

together.

A tooth merely looking white and even does not mean that the restoration is biologically or functionally successful.

In which problems can aesthetic dentistry be applied?

Aesthetic dental treatments can be considered in the following situations:

• Yellowing or discolouration of the teeth
• A fracture in the front teeth
• Worn incisal edges
• A mismatch in tooth shape or size
• A gap between the teeth
• Mild or advanced crowding
• Old and discoloured fillings
• Mismatched veneers
• Differences in gum levels
• An excessive gum appearance during the smile
• Missing teeth
• Small or developmentally different teeth
• Enamel surface disorders
• Dark-coloured root-canal-treated teeth
• Advanced tooth wear
• Aesthetic and functional problems in the lower and upper tooth occlusion
• A smile the person thinks is out of harmony with their facial features

The solution to every problem is not a veneer. For example, if there is only discolouration, whitening; if there is crowding, orthodontics; if there is a small fracture, bonding may be more conservative.

Who can aesthetic dentistry be suitable for?

An aesthetic evaluation can be applied to adult patients who are bothered by the appearance of their teeth or their smile. However, before starting treatment, oral health must be adequate.

In a suitable candidate, it can be useful to have the following features:

• Active decay and infections having been treated
• Healthy gums
• Adequate oral hygiene
• Being able to understand the treatment alternatives
• Having realistic expectations
• Being able to continue with regular care and check-ups
• Being open to options that preserve natural tooth tissue

For whom can aesthetic dental treatment be postponed?

In the following situations, the diseases must first be brought under control:

• Active gum disease
• Untreated decay
• Root-tip infection
• Severely mobile teeth
• Insufficient bone support
• Uncontrolled clenching
• Severe jaw joint complaints
• Serious occlusion disorder
• Insufficient oral hygiene
• Heavy plaque and tartar accumulation
• Unrealistic aesthetic expectations
• An approach wanting intact teeth to be unnecessarily fully reduced

Most of these situations are not absolute contraindications. Aesthetic procedures can be planned after the necessary periodontal, orthodontic, restorative or joint treatments.

What should the basic approach be in aesthetic dentistry?

Planning should be done in the following order:

1. Health first

Permanent aesthetic restorations should not be made before decay, infection, gum disease and other active oral problems are treated.

2. Preserving the natural tooth

The unnecessary removal of sound enamel and dentin only to correct the colour or position of the tooth should be avoided.

3. Evaluating the most conservative option

In general, the following options are considered in order:

• Professional cleaning
• Teeth whitening
• Orthodontic treatment
• Composite bonding
• Porcelain veneer
• Partial ceramic restoration
• Full crown

This order can change for each patient; but the basic principle is not to move directly to more invasive treatments.

4. Harmony with the face and lips

The teeth should be evaluated not only inside the mouth, but during speech and smiling.

5. Preserving the occlusion

Aesthetic restorations should be designed to suit the forces they meet during chewing.

6. Planning long-term care

The patient should be told that every restoration may require maintenance, repair or renewal in the future.

What is evaluated in an aesthetic dentistry examination?

In the first evaluation, looking only at a front-tooth photograph is not enough.

Dental health

• Decay
• Fractures
• Wear
• Old fillings
• Old veneers
• The amount of enamel and dentin
• The vitality of the teeth
• Root-canal-treated teeth
• Root and bone support

Gum health

• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Gum recession
• Gum levels
• Gum thickness
• The amount of gum visible during the smile
• The papillae between the teeth

Tooth alignment

• Crowding
• Gaps
• The forward or inward position of the teeth
• The midline
• The axes of the teeth
• The lower and upper jaw relationship

Face and lips

• Face shape
• The facial midline
• Lip support
• The smile line
• The amount of tooth visible at rest
• Lip movements
• Profile appearance

Occlusion

• Front and back tooth contacts
• Deep or open bite
• Crossbite
• Jaw movements
• Front-tooth guidance
• Clenching and grinding
• The chewing muscles
• Jaw joint findings

Which records can be used in aesthetic dentistry?

According to the patient’s clinical requirement, the following can be used:

• Intraoral examination
• Periodontal evaluation
• Facial and intraoral photographs
• Speech and smile videos
• Digital intraoral scanning
• Conventional impression
• Occlusion records
• Panoramic radiography
• Intraoral radiographs
• Three-dimensional imaging when needed

Not all imaging methods need to be applied to every patient. Radiological examinations should be selected according to the clinical requirement.

What is digital smile design?

Digital smile design is a planning method that helps evaluate the patient’s facial, lip, dental and gum records in a digital environment.

In the digital design, the following can be visualized:

• The possible lengths of the teeth,
• The width proportions,
• The dental midline,
• The smile curve,
• The gum levels,
• The relationship with the lips,
• The possible colour and shape options.

Digital design can facilitate communication between the patient and the dentist. However, the image prepared on the computer is not the definitive treatment result. The healing of soft tissues, the real light properties of the material, lip movements and the biological response cannot be fully predicted in a digital photograph.

What is a mock-up?

A mock-up is the trial of the planned tooth shapes in the patient’s mouth with a temporary material.

With this application, the following can be evaluated:

• Tooth lengths
• The smile line
• Lip support
• Speech
• Harmony with the face
• The planned tooth volume

A mock-up can help the patient see the plan before the permanent procedure. Nevertheless, it is not an exact guarantee of the permanent result.

Which treatments are applied in aesthetic dentistry?

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the conservative aesthetic treatments that aims to chemically lighten the colour of natural tooth tissue.

It can be considered in the following situations:

• Age-related discolouration
• Colour change caused by tea, coffee and tobacco
• General tooth yellowing
• Some developmental discolourations

Whitening:

• Does not change the shape of the teeth.
• Does not correct crowding.
• Does not lighten the colour of fillings and veneers.
• Can cause temporary sensitivity.
• Does not give the same result in every discolouration.

If the shape and position of the teeth are suitable, the aesthetic expectation can be met with whitening alone, without a veneer.

Composite bonding

Composite bonding is the shaping of tooth-coloured composite material directly on the tooth.

It can be used in the following situations:

• Small fractures
• Limited gaps
• Small shape disorders
• Worn incisal edges
• Renewal of old composite restorations

Advantages:

• Can mostly be applied in a single session.
• Less tooth tissue can be removed.
• Can be repaired.
• Its cost can be more limited than porcelain restorations.

Limitations:

• Can stain over time.
• Can lose surface gloss.
• Edge fractures can occur.
• Can require periodic polishing and maintenance.

Porcelain veneer

A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic restoration mostly bonded to the visible surface of the front tooth.

In suitable patients, it can be used to adjust:

• Tooth colour,
• Shape,
• Length,
• Surface appearance,
• Limited gaps.

A porcelain veneer is not always without cutting. According to the position of the tooth and the planned restoration, no preparation may be done or a limited preparation within the enamel may be applied.

In porcelain veneers, bonding to the enamel as much as possible is important for the long-term bond. If the sound enamel tissue is very limited or the tooth is severely damaged, a full crown may be needed.

E-max dental veneer

E-max is a lithium disilicate-based glass-ceramic system.

It can be used in the following restorations:

• Porcelain veneer
• Full crown
• Inlay
• Onlay
• Partial crown

It can be considered especially in single front-tooth restorations where natural light properties are important. However, it is not the most correct option for every front tooth, and its area of use in long bridges is limited.

Zirconium veneer

Zirconia is a dental ceramic with high mechanical durability.

It can be considered in the following situations:

• Teeth with large fillings
• Fractured or structurally weakened teeth
• Back-region crowns
• Masking of dark substructures
• Restorations on implants
• Bridges of suitable length

Zirconia is not a single material. There are types of zirconia with different durability and light transmission properties.

Porcelain crown

Metal-ceramic porcelain crowns are restorations with a long clinical use history.

They have a metal substructure in the inner part and tooth-coloured porcelain on the outer surface.

They can be considered especially:

• When a large restoration is needed,
• In some back teeth,
• In multi-unit bridges,
• In masking dark substructures.

Metal-ceramic is not an outdated or unsuccessful treatment. However, in front-region cases where light transmission is important, alternatives such as E-max or zirconia can be preferred.

Clear aligners and aesthetic orthodontics

If the main problem of the teeth is position and crowding, orthodontic treatment should be considered instead of trying to make the teeth look straight by cutting them.

Clear aligner treatment:

• Can move the teeth together with their roots.
• Can preserve natural tooth tissue.
• Can correct gaps and crowding.
• Can adjust the occlusal relationships.
• Can reduce the number of veneers needed later.

In some patients, only whitening or small bonding procedures are sufficient after orthodontics.

Gum aesthetics

During the smile, the gum levels and the amount of visible gum can affect the aesthetic appearance.

Among the causes of the gum appearance can be:

• Gum overgrowth
• Altered passive eruption
• Short clinical crowns
• The upper lip rising too much
• Vertical maxillary excess
• The position of the teeth
• Wear

Not every “gummy smile” case should be treated only by cutting the gum with a laser. According to the cause, the following may be needed:

• Periodontal treatment
• Gingivectomy
• Crown-lengthening
• Orthodontics
• Restorative treatment
• Different surgical or medical approaches

Implant and missing-tooth aesthetics

Missing teeth can be completed with options such as:

• An implant,
• A fixed bridge,
• An adhesive bridge,
• A removable prosthesis.

In the front region, implant aesthetics does not depend only on the colour of the porcelain tooth. The three-dimensional position of the implant, the amount of gum and bone, the temporary-tooth design and the levels of the neighbouring teeth also affect the result.

Hollywood smile design

A Hollywood Smile is not a single veneer or material.

According to the patient’s need, one or more of the following applications can be used:

• Whitening,
• Orthodontics,
• Bonding,
• Porcelain veneer,
• E-max,
• Zirconia,
• Gum treatment,
• Implant.

The aim is not to make teeth of the same whiteness and the same shape for all patients, but to create a face-harmonious, natural, healthy and sustainable smile.

Are the teeth cut in aesthetic dental treatment?

Teeth are not cut in every treatment.

Treatments that may not require tooth cutting

• Professional cleaning
• Teeth whitening
• Orthodontic treatment
• Some bonding applications
• Suitably selected no-preparation veneers

Treatments requiring limited preparation

• Minimal-preparation porcelain veneer
• Inlay and onlay
• Partial ceramic restorations

Treatments requiring more extensive preparation

• Full E-max crown
• Zirconium crown
• Metal-ceramic crown
• Restoration of severely damaged teeth

Both the statements “teeth are never touched in aesthetic dental treatment” and “all teeth are reduced in aesthetic treatment” are incorrect.

Should intact teeth be crowned for aesthetic purposes?

Reducing largely intact teeth into a full crown only for them to look whiter or more even should not be the first option.

More conservative options should first be evaluated, such as:

• Whitening
• Orthodontics
• Bonding
• Minimal porcelain veneer

Nevertheless, a full crown may be suitable in teeth with large fillings, fractures, serious discolouration or the need for circumferential support.

Veneer and crown procedures applied by preparing the tooth are irreversible treatments; therefore, they should be done only by an authorized dentist, after a comprehensive examination.

Is root canal treatment necessary in aesthetic dental treatment?

Root canal treatment is not done on every tooth that will receive an aesthetic procedure.

Root canal treatment is applied only in clinical indications such as:

• Irreversible pulp inflammation
• Root-tip infection
• Deep decay
• Trauma
• Loss of vitality of the nerve tissue

Performing routine root canal treatment on a healthy tooth just because a crown will be made is not correct.

Does aesthetic dental treatment look natural?

With correct planning, material selection and customisation, a natural appearance can be aimed for.

The elements affecting naturalness:

• The harmony of the teeth with the face
• The length and width proportions of the teeth
• Colour transitions
• Light transmission
• Surface texture
• Incisal edge features
• Small differences of the teeth from one another
• Gum levels
• Lip movements
• Laboratory and clinical work

Preparing all the teeth the same length, a single colour and completely flat can create an artificial appearance.

Do aesthetic teeth have to be very white?

No.

In colour selection, the following should be taken into account:

• The patient’s natural teeth
• Skin colour
• Lip colour
• Age
• Facial features
• Personal preference
• The material used

While some patients want a light-coloured smile, some patients may prefer more natural tones. The lightest colour is not the most aesthetic colour for every patient.

Does aesthetic dental treatment change the face shape?

The length, volume and position of the teeth can affect to a certain extent:

• Lip support,
• The facial expression during the smile,
• The lower-face appearance.

However, veneers do not change:

• The basic position of the jawbone,
• The nose structure,
• The chin tip,
• The skeletal facial proportions.

If there is a marked jaw retrusion, jaw protrusion or facial skeleton problem, orthodontics or orthognathic surgery may be needed.

Why is occlusion important in aesthetic dentistry?

Aesthetic restorations are not only visible during the smile; they also meet significant forces while eating and during jaw movements.

In restorations made without evaluating the occlusion, the following can be seen:

• Porcelain fracture
• Veneer detachment
• Composite wear
• The crown coming off
• Tooth sensitivity
• A crack in the natural tooth
• Muscle and joint complaints

For this reason, front-tooth guidance, back-tooth contacts, jaw movements and bruxism should be evaluated together in aesthetic planning.

Does clenching affect aesthetic dental treatment?

Yes. Bruxism can increase the mechanical load on the restorations.

In patients who clench their teeth, the following can be seen:

• Porcelain crack or fracture
• Veneer detachment
• Composite wear
• Loosening of crown and implant screws
• Natural tooth or root crack
• Jaw muscle pain
• Jaw joint complaints

Bruxism is not an absolute obstacle to every aesthetic treatment. However, the material choice, restoration thickness, occlusion design and, when necessary, a protective night guard should be planned.

How long do aesthetic dental treatments take?

The treatment time varies according to the procedures to be applied.

Procedures that can be completed in a short time

• Professional cleaning
• Some whitening procedures
• Limited composite bonding
• Small restorations

Procedures that may require more than one appointment

• Porcelain veneer
• E-max crown
• Zirconium crown
• Gum treatments
• Comprehensive smile design

Procedures that may take longer

• Orthodontic treatment
• Implant
• Bone or gum adjustments
• Comprehensive occlusion rehabilitation

Giving all patients a fixed duration such as “smile design in 4–6 days” is not correct.

Are aesthetic dental treatments painful?

The level of discomfort varies according to the procedure done.

• Temporary sensitivity can occur during teeth whitening.
• Bonding can mostly be done with limited discomfort.
• Procedures requiring tooth preparation can be applied under local anaesthesia.
• Pain and swelling can be seen during the healing period after gum surgery or an implant.

Definitive statements such as “it is completely painless” or “no sensitivity occurs” should not be used.

What are the risks of aesthetic dental treatments?

According to the procedure applied, the following risks can be seen:

• Irreversible loss of tooth tissue
• Temporary or permanent sensitivity
• The need for root canal treatment
• Porcelain fracture
• Veneer detachment
• Composite discolouration
• Decay under the veneer
• Gum recession
• Gum inflammation
• Dissatisfaction with the colour or shape
• Difficulty adapting to speech
• Occlusion incompatibility
• Complications due to bruxism
• The need for maintenance, repair or renewal

Being applied for aesthetic purposes does not mean the treatment is risk-free.

Are aesthetic dental treatments permanent?

No lifelong-use guarantee valid for every patient can be given for any aesthetic dental treatment.

• The effect of whitening can decrease over time.
• Composite restorations may require polishing or repair.
• Porcelain veneers can break or detach.
• Decay can develop in the natural teeth under the crowns.
• Gum levels can change over time.
• Retention is needed after orthodontic treatment.
• Implants and restorations require regular care.

The factors affecting the period of use:

• The type of treatment
• The remaining natural tooth tissue
• Oral hygiene
• Gum health
• Bruxism
• Smoking
• Eating habits
• Occlusal forces
• Regular check-ups

How is care done after aesthetic dental treatment?

The general care recommendations are:

• The teeth should be brushed at least twice a day.
• The spaces between the teeth should be cleaned with dental floss or an interdental brush.
• The area under bridge and implant prostheses should be cleaned with special tools.
• Very hard objects should not be broken with the teeth.
• Nails and pens should not be bitten.
• If there is bruxism, the recommended night guard should be used.
• Gum bleeding should not be neglected.
• Smoking should be stopped or reduced.
• Regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning should be done.

The care program should be personalized according to the patient’s restorations and risk status.

Why do aesthetic dentistry prices vary in Istanbul?

Because aesthetic dental treatment is not a single procedure, a standard package price does not reflect the real need of every patient.

The elements that can affect the price:

• The type of treatment to be done
• The number of teeth to be treated
• Teeth whitening
• Composite bonding
• Porcelain veneer
• E-max crown
• Zirconium crown
• Gum treatment
• Orthodontics
• Implant
• Filling or root canal treatments
• Temporary restorations
• Digital smile planning
• Mock-up
• Laboratory customisation
• The extent of the occlusion rehabilitation

Patients researching aesthetic dental treatment in Istanbul should evaluate not only the total price but also the following questions:

• Which teeth really need a procedure?
• Can the intact teeth be preserved?
• Is orthodontics or whitening a more conservative option?
• Will a veneer or a full crown be made?
• How much tissue will be removed from the teeth?
• Which material will be used?
• Are temporary teeth included?
• Will bruxism and occlusion be evaluated?
• How will the care and check-up program be?

Dentapolitan addresses these questions together with the patient in aesthetic dentistry planning and serves in Istanbul through its clinics in Bostancı, Ümraniye and Pendik.

An aesthetic approach that preserves health and the natural tooth

The aim of aesthetic dentistry is not to make the same teeth for all patients or to crown all the front teeth.

In correct planning, the order of priority is as follows:

1. Treatment of oral and dental diseases
2. Preservation of natural tooth tissue as much as possible
3. Evaluation of the position of the teeth and jaws
4. Regulation of gum and occlusion health
5. Determination of the most conservative aesthetic option
6. Creation of an appearance in harmony with the face and lips
7. Planning of long-term care and check-ups

In some patients, the most correct aesthetic treatment can be whitening alone. In some patients, orthodontics and small bonding procedures are sufficient. Porcelain veneers, E-max or zirconium, on the other hand, should be preferred only when there is a structural and aesthetic need of the tooth.

The treatment decision should be made by evaluating together the clinical and radiological examination, the amount of existing enamel and dentin, gum health, the position of the teeth, jaw occlusion, bruxism, the face and lip relationships and the patient’s expectations.

This content has been prepared for general health information purposes. It does not replace an examination, diagnosis or a personalised treatment plan.