Before you book a smile or implant deal: six questions worth asking

At this time of year, offers on veneers, bonding and implants are hard to miss, often with a countdown attached. Wanting to improve your smile is completely understandable, and cost matters. But you will live with the result every day for years, so it is worth asking a few questions before you pay a deposit. I would encourage you to ask them of any clinic, including mine.

1. Who will carry out my treatment?

You should know the name of the clinician treating you, and you can check their registration on the General Dental Council’s online register. It is also reasonable to ask how often they provide this treatment, and to see examples of their own work.

2. Have my gums and bite been assessed?

This is the question I consider most important. Veneers and bonding finish at the gumline and take the forces of your bite every day. If the gums are inflamed or the bite is unbalanced, restorations can chip, gums can recede and dark margins can appear. A thorough assessment looks at the health of the gums and bone as well as the colour and shape of the teeth.

The same applies to dental implants. Any gum disease should be treated first, and a 3D scan should confirm that there is enough healthy bone to support the implant.

A beautiful smile lasts longest on healthy gums and a stable bite.

3. How much natural tooth will be removed?

Often, very little. Whitening, straightening and bonding can achieve a great deal with little or no drilling. Some teeth do need preparation, and that can be entirely appropriate, but you should understand what is being removed and why. Enamel does not grow back.

4. Can I preview the result?

A digital plan, diagnostic wax-up or trial smile (a temporary mock-up placed over your own teeth) lets you see the proposed result before anything permanent is done. This is the time to ask for something a little shorter or a shade less white, when changes are simple to make. With an implant, ask to see how the final tooth has been planned as well as the surgery.

5. What does the price include?

An advertised figure may not cover every stage. It is worth asking whether the estimate includes:

• The consultation and X-rays
• Temporary restorations and adjustments
• A night guard, if one is recommended
• For implants, the abutment and final crown, and any bone grafting or sinus lift
• Review appointments

A written estimate allows you to compare the full cost of treatment rather than the headline price.

6. What happens if something chips or fails?

All dental work needs maintenance at some point. Ask who will look after your treatment, what is covered and for how long, and what you can do to keep it in good condition. Implants in particular need regular reviews and careful cleaning to keep the surrounding gum and bone healthy.

The takeaway

A decision about your smile does not need to be made in a hurry. If you are considering veneers, bonding, straightening or dental implants, a consultation is the place to work through these questions properly. We begin with a health check, followed by a 3D scan and a preview of your new smile, and you take home a written plan to consider in your own time. Dr Jag’s treatment coordinator looks after you personally throughout.