What is a Smile Design? Everything You Need to Know

March 2025

Smile Design

A smile design is a customized cosmetic dentistry process that enhances the natural appearance of your teeth while maintaining harmony with your facial features. At Doral Select Dentistry, we take a precise and artistic approach to crafting smiles that not only look beautiful but also function naturally and last for years.

Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to transforming a smile, veneers are a popular choice. However, there are two main types:

  • Composite Veneers: These are made of a tooth-colored resin that is applied directly to your teeth and sculpted by hand. They are more affordable and can often be completed in a shorter amount of time, but composite may be less durable and more prone to staining over time.
  • Porcelain Veneers: These are thin, custom-made shells of high-quality porcelain that mimic the translucency of natural teeth. They are more durable, stain-resistant, and provide a long-lasting, lifelike result. We work with dental laboratories that specialize in aesthetic restorations for our porcelain veneer cases.

What to Expect at Your Smile Design Appointments

Unlike offices that offer same-day veneers, we take the time to create a truly personalized, natural-looking smile. We prioritize long-term results, which is why we carefully design each smile over multiple appointments. Our process ensures precision, durability, and patient satisfaction. Here’s what to expect:

1. Records & Smile Planning

Your journey begins with a thorough consultation, including photographs, digital scans, and a discussion about your goals. We’ll review your options and design a smile that complements your facial structure.

2. Temporary Smile

Before committing to the final design, we create a temporary smile that allows you to preview the changes. Often times, you can see a digital mock-up before any work has started. In many cases, no preparation of your natural teeth is needed, as we aim to be as conservative as possible (these are NOT the overly prepared teeth you’ve seen on social media…)

3. Adjustment Appointment

After wearing your temporary smile for 7-14 days, you’ll return for an adjustment appointment. This step ensures that you are happy with the size, shape, and color of your new teeth. Any necessary tweaks will be incorporated into the final design.

4. Final Impression

Once you approve the adjustments, we take a precise final impression to create your permanent smile design in Doral.

5. Delivery of Your Final Smile

The final step is the delivery of your custom veneers, carefully crafted for a perfect fit and natural look.

Our detailed approach ensures that your new smile isn’t just beautiful but also long-lasting, functional, and uniquely yours. If you're ready to begin your smile transformation, schedule a consultation with us today!

Schedule Your Visit Today!

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