Smile Concerns: Start with What You Want to Change
This page helps if you want to improve how your front teeth look but don't know what the problem is called. It covers six smile problems, their options and common questions.
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Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, dentist · GDC 301711
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It does not replace an examination or treatment by a dentist.
Which smile concern sounds like yours?
This section covers six aesthetic concerns with front teeth, in patients' own words. Our page on improving how your teeth look covers the wider discipline.
Chipped front tooth
NHS guidance is to book a non-emergency dental appointment for a chip, where the tooth may be smoothed and filled or crowned. Bonding can also rebuild it, or a porcelain veneer cover it. Read about a chipped front tooth.
Gaps between teeth
A gap between the front teeth (diastema) has been linked to small teeth, a long frenum (the fold joining lip and gum) and a shifted midline. Gum disease and decay are treated first. Bonding can close some gaps, and aligners others. See gaps between teeth.
Uneven teeth
Uneven teeth means front teeth of different lengths or a lopsided smile line (asymmetry). Options include tooth recontouring, composite on a short edge, gum contouring or aligners. Read about uneven teeth.
Short or worn front teeth
Front teeth look shorter as they wear. Grinding and acid from drinks or reflux can both cause wear, and worn edges can be rebuilt. NHS guidance says a dentist may recommend a night-time mouth guard for grinding. See short or worn front teeth.
Gummy smile
A gummy smile (excessive gingival display) shows more gum than you want. Gum covering part of the teeth, a high-lifting lip or long upper jaw can cause it. Gum contouring can help the first; other causes need different treatment. Read about a gummy smile.
Crooked front teeth
Crowded or crooked front teeth can be straightened or sometimes disguised. Clear aligners or braces move teeth. Porcelain or composite veneers change their look without moving them. Read about crooked front teeth.
Which smile concerns sit outside this section?
Staining is covered elsewhere, under why teeth change colour. A decayed or cracked tooth, or wear needing treatment as a dental health problem, belongs with the options in the restorative symptoms section.
Book a cosmetic consultation online or call 0114 288 2121.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I start if I hate how my teeth look?
When fixing your smile, start with the thing that bothers you most, not a treatment name. Cosmetic planning at the practice uses clinical photographs, an intraoral scan and a written plan before anything starts. Our guide explains planning a cosmetic treatment.
Can I see a change before committing?
For tooth shape, yes. The practice can design it digitally, have a laboratory wax-up made and try it in your mouth as a mock-up. A second consultation comes before you commit. A mock-up previews the planned shape, not a promised result.
Which smile treatments can be undone?
Composite bonding is added to the tooth, usually with no drilling, and can be adjusted or repaired. Veneers that need enamel removed cannot be undone; some need none. Recontouring removes enamel for good, and straightened teeth can drift back without long-term retainers.
Is cosmetic dental treatment available on the NHS?
NHS guidance says teeth whitening is cosmetic and therefore generally only available privately. It says veneers are generally private unless you can show a clinical need for them. Braces are available on the NHS for children and, occasionally, for adults, depending on the clinical need.
What if I have more than one concern?
Several concerns can be planned together as a smile makeover, combining treatments in order. One order the practice uses is aligners, then whitening, then bonding. Whitening does not change the colour of composite or other restorations. A makeover has no fixed timescale.
Book a consultation.
Online in under a minute, or call and speak to a real person.
Book online or by phone. The cosmetic consultation lasts 45 to 60 minutes, whether your concern is a chip, a gap or crowding. Unsure which concern fits? Start with working out which option suits you. Read our patient reviews.
334 Manchester Road
Deepcar, Sheffield S36 2RH
0114 288 2121
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Open 8am to 8pm, seven days
Free parking at the door