Most people who want to change something about their smile put it off for years, not because of the treatment, but because they do not know what the first step involves or whether they will be judged for asking. So here is the plain version of what a cosmetic consultation is actually like.
The short answer: the first visit is a conversation. Nothing is done to your teeth, nothing is committed to, and you leave knowing your options and what they cost.
Telling us what bothers you
We start by asking what you would change if you could. Some people point to one thing, a gap, a dark tooth, a chip, a crooked front tooth. Others just feel their smile has aged or faded and cannot name why. Both are completely normal places to start, and you do not need to arrive with the answer.
This is a no-judgement conversation. We see every kind of mouth, every day, and the point is to understand what matters to you, not to list everything that could theoretically be done.
Looking, photographing, planning
We examine your teeth and gums, because a healthy foundation comes before any cosmetic work, and we take photographs and often a scan. From those we can see the whole picture and, in many cases, show you a preview of what a result could look like.
Then we map out the options. The same goal can often be reached several ways, and they differ in cost, time and how much they change the tooth. Whitening, bonding, veneers, a crown or straightening might all be on the table, and part of our job is to steer you toward the least invasive route that gets you where you want to be.
Natural, not overdone
The fear we hear most is ending up with teeth that look fake, too big, too even or too white. A good cosmetic result does the opposite: it looks like your own teeth on their best day, and most people who meet you will not be able to say what changed, only that something has.
Designing to suit your face and age, rather than to a template, is the whole craft of it, and it is why we spend time on the plan before any treatment begins.
The cost conversation, in the open
Cosmetic work spans a wide range, from a straightforward whitening through to a full set of veneers, so the honest answer to what it costs is that it depends on what you choose. What you can count on is that we set the full fee out in writing before anything starts, and that you can begin with the smallest step and decide on the rest later. There is no pressure to do everything at once, or at all.
Booking a consultation
If something about your smile has been on your mind, a first consultation is the low-stakes way to find out what is possible. We are at 12 Lake Esplanade in central Queenstown, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with free off-street parking at the door. Ring 03 441 8248 or send an enquiry through the site, and we will arrange a time.
General information, not a diagnosis. Written and reviewed by Dr Adrian Paul, BDS (Otago), principal dentist at Lakeside Dental Practice, Queenstown. If something is worrying you, see a dentist.
