Cosmetic Dentistry in Markham
Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments that change how your teeth look, including porcelain veneers, professional whitening, composite bonding, tooth-coloured crowns, and clear aligner treatment. Most of them do more than improve appearance, because a chipped edge, a worn biting surface, or a gap affects how the bite distributes pressure, so correcting a tooth's appearance often protects it too.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the branch of dental care focused on the appearance of your teeth, gums and smile. It is not a separate dental specialty recognized in Canada. It describes a group of treatments that general dentists and specialists perform when the goal includes how a tooth looks, not just whether it functions.
The distinction between cosmetic and general dentistry is less sharp than most people expect. A tooth coloured crown on a cracked molar is restorative. The same crown on a discoloured front tooth is called cosmetic. The material, preparation, and laboratory work are identical. What changes is the reason for doing it.
That overlap matters for planning. Whitening healthy enamel sits at the purely cosmetic end. Rebuilding worn, chipped, or heavily filled teeth sits at the other end and improves strength as well as appearance. Where your situation falls affects the treatment sequence and how insurance responds.
What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Correct
Most patients arrive describing one thing they dislike, and an examination usually places it in one of a few categories. Discolouration, either surface staining from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco or deeper internal discolouration from age and trauma. Chips and fractures along the biting edges of the front teeth. Gaps. Uneven lengths and worn edges caused by grinding. Misshapen or undersized teeth.
Two further categories account for a large share of enquiries: old dental work that no longer blends in, and mild crowding or rotation where the teeth are healthy but sit out of line. The same visible problem can usually be solved in more than one way, and the right answer depends on how much healthy tooth structure remains, how your bite closes, and how long you want the result to last.
Cosmetic Dentistry Services Available in Markham
The table below outlines the treatments most often used for cosmetic concerns and how long results generally last with good home care. Longevity varies between patients, and grinding, smoking, and a diet high in staining drinks shorten every figure in the third column.
| Treatment | What it addresses | How long results generally hold |
|---|---|---|
| Professional whitening | Surface and age-related discolouration on healthy enamel | Several months to a few years, depending on diet and habits |
| Composite bonding | Small chips, narrow gaps, minor shape corrections | Commonly 3 to 10 years before refinishing or replacement |
| Porcelain veneers | Discolouration, chips, gaps and shape across the visible teeth | Commonly 10 to 15 years with good care |
| Tooth coloured crowns | Teeth that are cracked, heavily filled or badly worn | Commonly 10 to 15 years, sometimes longer |
| White non-metal fillings | Decay and replacement of dark amalgam restorations | Commonly 5 to 10 years depending on size and position |
| Clear aligner treatment | Mild to moderate crowding, spacing and rotation | Result is stable long term provided retainers are worn |
Whitening is the least invasive option, and teeth whitening in Markham is available in the office or at home with a custom kit. It lightens natural tooth structure only, so existing crowns, veneers and fillings keep their original shade.
When shape and position matter as much as colour, porcelain veneers in Markham can change colour, width, length, and texture in one treatment. They require a small amount of enamel reduction, which makes them a long-term commitment.
How Much Does Cosmetic Dentistry Cost in Markham, Ontario?
Cosmetic dentistry has no single price, because it covers everything from a whitening tray to a plan involving several crowns and veneers. Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide, which is updated annually. The factors below explain why estimates differ from patient to patient.
Number of teeth treated.
Fees are assessed per tooth, so treating the six front teeth costs considerably more than treating one, and this is usually the single largest variable in an estimate.
Treatment chosen.
Bonding is completed chairside in one visit, while veneers and crowns involve impressions, laboratory fabrication and a temporary restoration in between.
Material selected.
Ceramics and composites vary in cost, and the choice depends on how much strength the tooth needs and how visible it is when you speak.
Preparatory work needed.
Address decay, gum inflammation, or a failing existing restoration before cosmetic work begins; that treatment is assessed separately.
Bite assessment and protection.
Patients who grind usually need a night guard to protect the new work, which is a separate item and worth budgeting for from the start.
Number of appointments.
Longer plans are sequenced over several visits, which affects both the total fee and how the payments fall across the year.
You rarely pay the full cost at once. We discuss dental financing options and set out the full estimate in writing before any work begins.
Dental Bonding for Chips, Gaps and Worn Edges
Bonding uses a tooth coloured composite resin applied directly to the tooth, shaped by hand, then hardened and polished. Most cases are finished in a single appointment.
It is well suited to:
- Rebuilding a chipped corner so the edge matches its neighbour
- Closing a space between the front teeth while keeping them in proportion
- Building out a narrow tooth to match the others
- Lengthening worn edges, once the cause of the wear is assessed
Bonding needs little or no removal of healthy enamel and is often reversible in a way that veneers and crowns are not, which makes it a sensible first step. Its limits are that composite stains over time and can chip under heavy force, so porcelain is the better choice for larger corrections, and a very wide gap is often better closed by alignment.
Replacing Old Fillings and Dental Work That No Longer Blends In
Sometimes the concern is not the natural teeth at all. It is the dental work already in the mouth.
Common examples:
- Dark amalgam fillings showing as grey shadows when you laugh
- Older crowns with a visible dark line at the gum as tissue recedes
- Composite placed years ago that has stained at the margins
Replacing this work is often the right clinical decision as well as a cosmetic one, because a worn or leaking margin lets bacteria underneath, and modern white non-metal fillings bond directly to the tooth and match the surrounding enamel. One sequencing point matters: whitening comes first and restorations second, because restorative materials do not respond to whitening agents.
What Happens During a Cosmetic Consultation, Step by Step
Step 1: A full examination
Before we discuss anything cosmetic in detail, we examine your teeth, gums, and bite and take the radiographs needed to see below the surface. We address active decay, gum inflammation, and failing restorations first, because cosmetic work placed over an unresolved problem fails early.
Step 2: Understanding what you want changed
Patients describing the same complaint often want different outcomes. Some want noticeably brighter teeth; others want the change to be invisible to everyone except themselves. Photos of your teeth and the result you have in mind make the conversation concrete.
Step 3: Planning and sequencing
The dentist outlines which treatments would achieve the result, in what order, and over how many visits, along with the alternatives and what each would and would not solve. The dentist prepares the written estimate here and submits a predetermination when insurance is involved.
Step 4: Treatment
Bonding and in-office whitening are usually completed in one appointment. Veneers and crowns take at least two appointments, because impressions or digital scans go to a laboratory and temporary restorations are worn in the interval. Alignment runs over months with periodic reviews.
Step 5: Review and maintenance
We review the finished work, check that the bite closes evenly, and make final adjustments. We then monitor the restorations at your regular checkups, and we recommend a night guard when grinding is a factor.
How Long Do Cosmetic Dental Results Last and How to Care for Them
Two people can receive identical veneers on the same day, and one set still looks excellent at fifteen years while the other needs attention at seven. The difference is rarely the material. Three habits shorten the life of cosmetic work most: grinding, smoking, and regular coffee, tea, red wine and dark colas.
Care is no different from caring for natural teeth. Brush twice daily with a soft brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste, clean between the teeth daily with attention to the margins, keep regular cleaning appointments, wear a night guard if you grind, and avoid using your teeth as tools. Whitening is the exception, since it is maintained rather than done once, so we supply reusable trays for periodic top-ups at home.
Are You a Good Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?
Every cosmetic treatment requires healthy gums and teeth free of active decay. Gum disease must be controlled first because inflamed tissue recedes, and a restoration made to meet the gum line where it sits today will not meet it correctly once the tissue settles. Beyond that, suitability depends on the treatment. Whitening works only on natural tooth structure. Veneers need enough sound enamel to bond to. Aligners need adequate bone support and consistent wear.
Some findings call for treatment before cosmetic work, not instead of it. Untreated grinding damages new restorations, so a night guard usually becomes part of the plan, and an uneven bite should be assessed because it may explain why certain teeth wore down in the first place. Realistic expectations matter just as much. Cosmetic dentistry works within the frame of your face, your lip line and your existing tooth position, and the most satisfied patients discussed what was achievable before treatment started.
Why Patients Choose Markham Smile Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic plans often need more than one kind of expertise, and when the stages are split between practices, the sequencing suffers. Our six dentists deliver cosmetic treatment alongside the surgery, implants and alignment it often depends on, all in one facility, with degrees from the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario and the University of Montreal; a fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists; a master's in the College of Sedation in Dentistry; and Platinum provider status with Invisalign.
The practical consequences are straightforward. Written estimates come before treatment begins, predeterminations are submitted to insurers in advance rather than after the fact, consultations can be held virtually, and evening appointments are available on Mondays and Thursdays.
Planning Your Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation in Markham
The gap between wanting a change and understanding what it would involve is where most people stay for years. An examination closes it quickly. In one appointment, you can learn which treatments apply to your teeth, what each would and would not achieve, how many visits it would take, what it would cost under the Fee Guide, and how your insurance is likely to respond. None of that commits you to treatment.
If it is easier to begin with a conversation than an appointment, a virtual consultation is a reasonable first step and is often enough to establish whether what you have in mind is realistic. Contact our Raymerville Drive clinic to arrange either one, and if dental anxiety has kept you away, say so when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a general dentist and a cosmetic dentist?
In Canada, cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, so there is no separate licence or protected title. Any licensed general dentist may perform these treatments, and the term describes a focus rather than a qualification. What differs is training beyond dental school and how much of this work a dentist actually does, which is the useful thing to ask about.
How much does a full set of veneers cost in Ontario?
Veneer fees are assessed per tooth, so the total depends on how many are treated, and a full set can mean anything from six upper front teeth to twenty across both arches. The material chosen and any preparatory treatment also affect it. Our fees follow the Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide, and after an examination we provide a written estimate listing each tooth and procedure code; that is the only point at which a meaningful figure exists.
Where can I find a cosmetic dentist near me in Markham?
Our clinic is at 1 Raymerville Drive, Unit 5, in Markham, serving the Raymerville, Markville and Markham Village areas. Because cosmetic treatment spans several appointments and requires follow-up visits, proximity is worth weighing alongside the treatment itself. It is also reasonable to ask whether surgical and restorative stages happen in the same office and whether written estimates come before treatment begins.
Are dental implants covered by OHIP?
No. OHIP does not cover routine dental care for adults, including implants, crowns, veneers, and whitening. Coverage comes from private insurance, from the federal program for eligible patients, or from provincial programs serving specific groups. Private plans that contribute toward implants treat them as a major restorative item with annual limits and waiting periods, so a predetermination is the only reliable way to know what they will pay.
Who is a good candidate for cosmetic dentistry?
A good candidate has healthy gums, no active decay and realistic expectations about what the treatment will change. Beyond that, suitability depends on the procedure. Patients who grind their teeth can still be treated, but usually need a night guard as part of the plan so the new work is not damaged during sleep.
Are cosmetic dental procedures safe?
These are established procedures performed routinely in general practice with regulated materials. The risks are specific, not general. Whitening commonly causes temporary sensitivity that resolves within days, and any treatment involving tooth preparation carries a small risk of nerve irritation. The real hazard is treatment done over undiagnosed decay or untreated gum disease, which is why a full examination comes first.
Will cosmetic dentistry damage my natural teeth?
It depends on the treatment you choose, and this is the most important distinction to understand before agreeing to a plan. Whitening and most bonding remove no tooth structure, and aligners move teeth without removing enamel. Veneers and crowns require a measured amount of enamel reduction, and that is permanent, which means the tooth needs a restoration from then on. That is not damage when the treatment is indicated and well executed, but the conservative option is worth exploring first.
Is cosmetic dentistry only about appearance?
Often not. A crown covering a cracked tooth prevents the fracture from spreading, and correcting crowding can make particular areas easier to clean. Some treatments, including whitening, are genuinely cosmetic and change nothing about function. Knowing which category a treatment falls into affects both how insurers assess it and how it should be prioritized.
See what our patients are saying:
Everyone here is very friendly and provides excellent care. I received a full exam on my first visit, and everyone took time to answer my questions and ensured I felt comfortable the entire time - exactly what you want when visiting the dentist. I highly recommend Markham Smile Centre for anyone looking for great dental care.
There is an ample parking space before you get into the office. The receptionists welcome us friendly with proper COVID-19 procedures in place. The staff worked with patient very patiently and professionally. My teeth cleaning was done by Ying, she explained every detail to me and I did not feel any pain or uncomfortable at all. Thanks to the best team !
It's been a while since I've been to a dentist but I'm trying to get back on track with health in general. Overall it was great going to Markham Smile Centre! The receptionist (I believe she was Kim) was friendly. The hygienist, Ying, was attentive and gentle during the cleaning; x-ray tech (forgot her name, sorry!) was great too. Dr. Sara Riad explained things with good detail. Looking forward to going back!
I was someone who was nervous and anxious about visiting the dentist, but the team at Markham Smile Centre has made me feel SO comfortable. Kim is so patient and helpful and Dr. Hwang and Rory are both so professional and wonderful. They thoroughly explain the procedure to make you comfortable beforehand and are very gentle. I now look forward to visiting the dentist!
I found this place on a whim when I was looking for a new dentist in Markham. My hygienist ying was super nice and her cleaning was very gentle yet thorough. I saw Dr.Jason and he was very nice and informative in regards to what needs to be done and provided me with all the information I needed to make a choice. Would recommend this place to anyone looking for a new dentist, they’re accepting new patients!!
I have been to many dentists in my life, Dr. Jason is easily the best dentist I have ever been too. He does everything he can to make you comfortable no matter the procedure and is a true professional, as does all the staff at Markham Smile Centre. Truly an amazing dentistry
The clinic was clean and the staff was very polite. I particularly liked the fact that everything was explained to me before going in for the procedure so I knew what to expect at each step. The dental hygienist who did the cleaning for me was also very gentle and took my concerns into consideration. I will definitely recommend them.
Upon arriving to the Markham Smile Centre, my son and I were greeted with a warm welcome by the receptionists. The hygienists and Dentist were very gentle and transparent with what they were doing. The hygienist that worked on my 9 year old son was patient and very friendly with him, which helped ease his nerves. Our overall experience was A+.
Since I was little, I have always hated going to the dentist... Its always uncomfortable and unpleasant. These days, visiting the dentist isn’t so bad! Dr Jason, Rory, and the lovely staff at reception make the experience 100x better. I have had absolutely no issues with the gum graft and cleanings that I’ve gotten done here. Everyone is incredibly friendly and helpful, even when I’m calling in or emailing a hundred questions :). I would highly recommend Markham Smile Centre.
Love this place! All the staffs are friendly and Professional and I mean all, cause I've been to most of their office, Markham , Stouffville, North York, and Maple. Dr. Ko is very professional and patient. Whenever I have questions and concerns he would always reply me . I would say this this dental office take care of you all the way. I would highly recommend everyone to come here for any dental works. =)
