Smile Design & Aesthetics
Cosmetic Dentistry London
A beautiful smile is not simply a matter of white teeth. It is a question of proportion, harmony and balance — between your teeth, your gums, your lips and your face as a whole. At DentAkademi London, smile design begins with understanding you.
Our Treatments
Everything Your Smile Could Be
Porcelain Veneers
Laminate Veneers
Monolithic Zirconia Crowns
Composite Bonding
Teeth Whitening
Smile Makeover
Gummy Smile Correction
Digital Smile Design
Material Science
Why We Choose Monolithic Zirconia
When a crown is needed, the material choice matters enormously. For most patients, we recommend monolithic zirconia: a single-block ceramic material that combines extraordinary strength with a natural, tooth-like appearance.
Monolithic zirconia is milled from a single block of zirconium dioxide using precision CAD/CAM technology. Because it contains no layered porcelain, it is essentially unbreakable under normal biting and chewing forces.
Its flexural strength of 900–1,200 MPa is two to three times that of conventional all-ceramic materials. Natural tooth enamel has a flexural strength of around 60–90 MPa.
Biocompatibility: Zirconia is completely metal-free and highly biocompatible — it does not trigger allergic responses and is well tolerated by gum tissue.
| Material | Flexural Strength | Chipping Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Monolithic Zirconia | 900–1,200 MPa | Minimal |
| Layered Zirconia | 550–900 MPa | Moderate |
| E-Max (Lithium Disilicate) | 400–500 MPa | Low-Moderate |
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal | 50–100 MPa | High |
| Natural Enamel | 60–90 MPa | — |
Why Material Source Matters
Not All Zirconia Blocks Are Equal
The quality and origin of the zirconia block from which your crown is milled has a direct impact on long-term outcome. Substandard blocks contain microscopic internal impurities that create stress concentration points, making crowns more prone to micro-fractures.
At DentAkademi London, we use only premium-grade zirconia blocks from certified manufacturers with fully traceable production processes.
The Clinical Consequences
What Inferior Zirconia Costs You
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Increased fracture risk from micro-impurities in low-grade blocks
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Gum health risk from rough margins harbouring bacterial plaque
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Colour instability over time causing the crown to stand out
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Reduced lifespan — lower-quality restorations often require replacement within 5–8 years
Minimally Invasive Aesthetics
Laminate Veneers: Maximum Result, Minimal Intervention
At just 0.2 to 0.5mm thick, laminate veneers can be bonded directly to the tooth surface with minimal or no preparation at all. Your natural tooth structure remains essentially intact.
Clinical studies report a 90–95% survival rate for porcelain laminate veneers over ten years when placed by an experienced practitioner.
Ideal for:
- Discolouration resistant to whitening
- Chipped or worn front teeth
- Minor spacing or alignment issues
- Irregular tooth shape or size
- Patients who prefer minimal tooth reduction
Our Technology
Fully Digital. Entirely Comfortable.
Every cosmetic treatment at DentAkademi London is underpinned by a fully digital workflow — from the first scan to the final fitting.
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Digital Smile Design (DSD)
Before any preparation begins, we create a full digital preview of your proposed new smile, mapped against photographs of your face. You see and approve the result before we begin. -
Intraoral Scanning — No Impressions
A high-resolution intraoral scanner captures a precise 3D model of your teeth in seconds. No impression material, no gag reflex, no discomfort. -
Same-Day Temporary Restorations
Your scan data is sent directly to our in-house milling unit. A beautifully fitting temporary restoration is fabricated and fitted the same day. -
If a Temporary Is Ever Damaged
Because your smile is captured digitally from the outset, a replacement temporary can be remade immediately — no second impressions, no delays. -
Permanent Restoration
Your final veneers, crowns or laminates are fabricated by master ceramists from the digital data. Fit, colour and shape are verified before permanent bonding.
From Scan to Smile
In most cases, temporary restorations can be completed and fitted on the same day as tooth preparation. You never spend a day without a beautiful smile.
Gummy Smile Correction
When Your Gums Take Centre Stage
A gummy smile occurs when the upper lip reveals a disproportionate amount of gum tissue when smiling. It is common and very straightforwardly treatable.
Where the cause is an overactive upper lip muscle, a small, precisely placed Botox injection gently limits how high the lip rises. The effect is natural and typically lasts three to six months.
Where gum tissue is the primary concern, a minimally invasive gum contouring procedure reshapes the gumline in a single appointment.
Botox Lip Relaxation
Quick, comfortable, no downtime. Results visible within days.
Gum Contouring
Precise laser or surgical reshaping. Single appointment.
The Art of Smile Design
What Makes a Beautiful Smile?
Smile Line
The curve of the upper teeth should mirror the curve of the lower lip — a naturally harmonious and youthful arc.
Golden Proportions
Each tooth has an ideal width-to-height ratio. Central incisors, lateral incisors and canines should relate in specific proportions for natural balance.
Gum Symmetry
The gum line should be even and symmetrical. Uneven gum levels create a sense of imbalance that subtly undermines the smile.
Lip Support
The volume and position of the teeth directly influences lip fullness. Cosmetic dentistry can restore lip support lost through tooth wear.
Colour & Translucency
Natural teeth have subtle gradations of colour and translucency at the edges. Skilled ceramists replicate this so veneers never look artificial.
Facial Harmony
A beautiful smile must suit its owner. We design smiles that complement your unique facial structure, skin tone and personality.
Your Journey Begins Here
Begin Your Smile Transformation
Book a cosmetic consultation and discover what is possible. Initial consultation from £95 in clinic, or £50 online — deducted from your treatment cost when you proceed.
FAQ
Common Questions
What is the difference between porcelain veneers and laminate veneers?
Traditional porcelain veneers require the removal of enamel before the porcelain shell is bonded to the tooth. Laminate veneers are ultra-thin (0.2–0.5mm) and can be bonded directly to the tooth surface with minimal or no preparation, preserving your natural tooth structure. Both deliver excellent aesthetic results, but laminate veneers are the more conservative option.How much do veneers cost in London?
At DentAkademi London, porcelain veneers start from £750 per tooth and laminate veneers from £650 per tooth. Composite bonding starts from £250 per tooth. A full smile makeover is priced on a bespoke basis following your Digital Smile Design consultation.Will I see my results before treatment begins?
Yes. Every cosmetic treatment at DentAkademi London begins with Digital Smile Design — a fully digital preview of your proposed new smile, mapped against photographs of your face and teeth. You see and approve the result before any tooth is touched.How long do porcelain veneers last?
Clinical studies report a 90–95% survival rate for porcelain laminate veneers over ten years when placed by an experienced practitioner. With proper care, veneers can last 15 years or more.Can a gummy smile be corrected?
Yes. Where the cause is an overactive upper lip muscle, a precisely placed Botox injection limits how high the lip rises when smiling. Where excess gum tissue is the concern, a minimally invasive gum contouring procedure reshapes the gumline in a single appointment. Both treatments can be combined with veneers for a complete smile transformation.
Written by Mai Hien Phung
Dental Therapist (GDC 318088). Specialist in teeth whitening and composite bonding, helping patients achieve natural, long-lasting results at DentAkademi London.
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