Most patients come to me saying they want "straighter teeth" or a "better smile" — and are surprised when I ask about their lips, their gums, even how their smile sits within their whole face. That surprise is exactly why I wanted to write this: smile designing isn't just about the teeth themselves.
So what does it actually look at?
A smile isn't just 32 teeth in a row — it's how everything around them works together. When I plan a smile, I look at:
- Tooth shape and colour — not just alignment, but whether the shape suits your face
- Gum line — a "gummy smile" or uneven gums can throw off an otherwise perfect set of teeth
- Lips — how much they curve, and how much they cover or reveal when you smile
- Facial proportions — a smile that looks stunning on one face can look out of place on another
Why this matters more than people realise
I've seen patients get their teeth perfectly straightened elsewhere and still feel something's "off" about their smile — because the teeth were treated in isolation, without looking at the rest. A smile that's designed, not just aligned, is what actually makes people say "you look great" instead of just "your teeth look nice."
What the process looks like
It starts with a real conversation, not a checklist. I want to know what you notice when you smile in photos, what you'd change if you could, and what you're happy with already — that last part matters just as much. From there, we look at options that could include teeth reshaping, gum contouring, whitening, or aligners, depending on what your smile actually needs.
Who this is for
Honestly — anyone who's ever looked at a photo of themselves smiling and felt slightly self-conscious about it. You don't need to already know the "solution." That's what the consultation is for.
Curious what a smile design consultation would actually reveal for you?
Message on WhatsApp