Full smile makeovers at Lambton Dental
A smile makeover is a coordinated cosmetic plan that combines several treatments — whitening, veneers, bonding, crowns or short orthodontic movements — into a phased sequence. At Lambton Dental in West Toronto every makeover starts with records, photos and a written estimate before treatment begins.
What a smile makeover is
A smile makeover is not a single procedure. It is a planned combination of cosmetic and, where needed, restorative treatments that work together to change the shape, colour, position and health of the teeth that show when you smile. Depending on the case, that might mean whitening the natural teeth first, refining shape with porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding, replacing older fillings, or straightening with a short course of orthodontic treatment before restorations are placed.
Because the plan is phased, the makeover is designed around what your teeth and gums actually need, not around a single product. Each visit fits into a written sequence with a clear order, timeline and estimate so you can make decisions as the plan unfolds.
When a full makeover is the right approach
A smile makeover may be a good fit when:
- Several front teeth need attention at once — for example, shape, colour and small alignment issues together.
- Old restorations, cracks or worn edges are affecting how your smile looks and how your teeth function.
- You have a life event on a longer timeline and are open to sequencing treatment over several months.
- You would like a coordinated plan rather than treating each tooth in isolation.
If only one or two teeth are the concern, a single-service approach — such as bonding or a veneer — may be all that is needed. If underlying gum inflammation, cavities or bite issues are present, those are treated first so the cosmetic work has a healthy foundation. The dentist will explain trade-offs and provide options at the planning visit.
What to expect during a makeover plan
Records and photographs
At the first visit we take a full set of photographs, digital records and, where useful, impressions or scans so the dentist can study your smile in detail.
Discussion and written plan
The dentist walks through options — often more than one — with the trade-offs of each, then provides a written phased plan with cost estimates for every stage.
Foundation work first
Any needed cleaning, gum care, cavity treatment or old-restoration replacement is scheduled first so the cosmetic work sits on a healthy base.
Cosmetic phase
Whitening, bonding, veneers, crowns or short orthodontic movement are sequenced in the order that gives the most predictable final result — often shape and position first, then colour and polish.
Review and maintenance
Short review visits check how each stage settles, and a maintenance schedule (cleanings, night guard if needed, whitening top-ups) is set up so the result lasts.
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and IV sedation are available for anxious patients across every phase; the dentist reviews your health history first. See our sedation options page for more.
Maintaining your makeover long-term
Because a makeover is a set of coordinated treatments, the way it lasts depends on how the pieces are looked after together. Daily brushing and flossing, regular professional cleanings and quick attention to any chip, edge or margin change protect the work.
If any part of the plan involves veneers, crowns or bonding, a custom night guard is strongly recommended if you grind or clench so the restorations are protected while you sleep. Whitening is usually maintained with occasional take-home top-ups. At each recall visit the dentist reviews margins, shade and bite alongside your regular hygiene appointment, so small issues are caught before they become larger ones.
For anyone whose plan includes short orthodontic movement first, we coordinate the retainer phase with the cosmetic finish so teeth settle in the position the veneers or bonding were planned for, rather than shifting after the fact and undoing part of the result.
Cost, insurance, and CDCP / IFHP coverage
The cost of a makeover depends entirely on which treatments are included and how many teeth are involved. Rather than a single number, we provide a written phased plan showing every service and its estimated cost so you can decide stage by stage.
Purely cosmetic elements (whitening, cosmetic bonding, elective veneers) are generally not covered by private insurance, the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP). Restorative elements (cavity treatment, crowns to rebuild damaged teeth, gum care) are often eligible under basic, major or periodontal categories — we check each item against your plan and direct-bill what your plan allows. Our payment options page explains billing openly for the cosmetic portion.
For patients who want to spread treatment over a longer window, we plan the phases around your schedule and adjust cadence between visits so the plan stays manageable.
For larger treatment plans, monthly payment plans through a third-party financing partner are available on approved credit — ask at your consultation or see our payment options.
Why patients choose Lambton Dental for makeovers
- Every makeover starts with photographs, records and a phased written plan so you can preview options and estimates before treatment begins.
- The plan is honest about which treatments are cosmetic and which are restorative, so insurance is applied where it belongs.
- Foundation work — cleaning, gum care, cavities, old restorations — is scheduled first so the cosmetic result sits on a healthy base.
- Comfort is a priority through every phase: topical numbing, gentle freezing and sedation options are available after a health review.
- We direct-bill CDCP, IFHP and major insurance carriers wherever any part of the plan qualifies.
- Our team serves patients in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Related services
Frequently asked questions about smile makeovers
How long does a smile makeover take?
It depends on the plan. A short case (whitening plus a couple of bondings) can be completed in a few weeks. A phased case with orthodontic movement, veneers or crowns is usually spread over several months so each stage has time to settle.
Will I be without teeth at any point?
No. Any time a tooth is prepared for a veneer or crown, comfortable temporaries are placed the same day so you leave with a full smile and can go back to normal life while the laboratory makes the finals. Temporaries are shaped to match the planned final look, so you can preview the shape and length while the laboratory works on the final veneers or crowns.
Do I have to do everything on the plan?
No. The written plan is a menu, and you can decide stage by stage. Foundation work (gum health, cavities, cracked teeth) is prioritised because it protects the cosmetic result, but the cosmetic phases can be paused or reduced. We revisit the plan at each phase so you can adjust the sequence based on how the earlier work has settled and what you would like to prioritise next.
Can a makeover fix crowded teeth without braces?
Sometimes. Small rotations can be masked with veneers or bonding, but larger crowding is more predictable and more conservative when it is corrected with a short course of orthodontic treatment first. We are candid about which approach fits your case. If a short course of aligners fits your case, we sequence it before any veneers so the restorations are placed on teeth already in the right position.
How much does a smile makeover cost?
Because the plan is a combination, cost varies widely. We provide a written phased estimate at the planning visit so you know the cost of every stage and can make decisions with the full picture in front of you. We split the estimate by phase — foundation work, cosmetic phase, maintenance — so the cost of each step is visible before you commit to the next.
Book a smile design consultation
Book online or call (416) 666-3700 to arrange a planning visit. The dentist will take photographs, discuss your goals and provide a written phased plan before any treatment is booked.
CDCP welcome
We welcome patients covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan and can help you understand what's covered.
Learn about CDCP →IFHP welcome
We are registered to treat patients under the Interim Federal Health Program and bill Medavie Blue Cross directly.
Learn about IFHP →Direct billing
We bill all major Canadian dental insurance carriers directly, so you pay only what your plan does not cover.
How direct billing works →