ETHICAL DENTAL · COFFS HARBOUR

Digital
smile design.

Explore the changes.
Understand the choices.

A digital design helps make proposed changes to your teeth visible, so you can discuss the shape, the treatment options and what feels right for you.

WHEN PLANNING HELPS

Considering a change,
but unsure where to start?

You do not have to arrive with a treatment in mind. Start with the change you are considering.

  • Worn or uneven edges
  • A shape or gap you would like to discuss
  • Several changes that need to work together

Your plan can also preserve the things you like about your smile.

A DIGITAL DESIGN, EXPLAINED

See the detail.
Understand the design.

Digital smile design helps us consider tooth shape, position and the smile line together. Here is how to read a combined analysis.

Close-up combined smile-design analysis: yellow tooth proportion boxes, an orange smile curve, red tooth angulation lines and aqua reference axes
COMBINED SMILE-DESIGN ANALYSISView larger ↗

READING THE DESIGN

Shape, position and the curve of your smile.

The reference lines bring different parts of the analysis together:

  • Tooth proportions — the yellow boxes compare width and length.
  • Smile line — the orange curve relates the tooth edges across the smile.
  • Angulations — the red lines show the direction of individual teeth.

These guides help us discuss possible changes together. They are not measurements every smile needs to match.

01

What would change?

Look at the proposed length, shape and arrangement. Tell us which changes you like and what you want to keep.

02

What would it involve?

Discuss how the change could be achieved, the alternatives and whether natural tooth would need to be prepared.

03

What would I commit to?

Consider the appointments, total cost, maintenance and possible future repair or replacement before deciding.

How do facial references and proportions inform the design?
Facial reference lines used to compare tooth alignment with the face

The smile in the face

Reference lines help us compare the position of the teeth with the lips and facial features.

Digital boxes illustrating the relative proportions of the upper front teeth

The teeth in relation to each other

Outlines help us consider length, width and available space. These are guides, rather than proportions every smile needs to match.

These images are separate examples from our existing design library, not stages of one patient’s treatment.

A digital proposal supports discussion; it does not guarantee your final appearance. A physical trial may provide further information in suitable cases.

WHY PLAN THE CHANGES TOGETHER?

One change can
affect another.

If you want lighter teeth and repairs to worn edges, the colour and shape need to be considered together.

Whitening changes natural teeth but does not lighten existing crowns, veneers or composite fillings. Planning the sequence helps coordinate the shade of new restorations with the surrounding teeth.

The same principle applies when tooth position, gaps or existing restorations affect the result you have in mind.

This is an example of a planning decision, not a recommendation for a particular treatment.

FROM DESIGN TO TREATMENT

The design informs
the treatment choice.

Digital smile design is a planning process. A smile makeover may combine treatments, but it does not have to mean veneers or a fixed number of teeth.

01

Changing colour

Whitening may be worth considering when colour is the main concern. It does not change the shape or position of your teeth.

Explore whitening ↗
02

Changing shape or repairing edges

Composite bonding or veneers may be considered for selected changes. The amount of tooth preparation, appearance, repair options and ongoing care are part of the discussion.

Bonding & veneers ↗
03

Changing position

Orthodontics moves teeth and may be an alternative to changing their shape with restorations.

We are currently not accepting new orthodontic patients. If moving teeth may be appropriate, discuss the next steps with your dentist.

About orthodontics ↗

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

From an idea
to an agreed plan.

  1. 01 / ASSESSMENT

    Start with your priorities.

    Discuss what you would like to change and assess the health of your teeth, gums and bite. A small change may need a simpler approach.

  2. 02 / FURTHER PLANNING

    Explore a proposed design.

    Where useful, further records and digital design help develop the options. A physical mock-up may be considered in suitable cases. Establish the scope and fees for these stages first.

  3. 03 / YOUR DECISION

    Agree what to do.

    Consider the treatment sequence, costs, limitations and ongoing care. You can ask for changes, take time to decide or choose not to proceed.

DESIGN & OUR LABORATORY

A connection to
our own laboratory.

We plan your care with support from our on-site laboratory. This connects your clinical assessment and digital design with the work of making your restoration.

Our Coffs Harbour practice has an on-site dental laboratory with digital scanning, printing and milling capabilities. All our laboratory work is made in Australia, with as much as possible completed on site.

Explore our laboratory ↗
Digital restoration design in Ethical Dental’s on-site Coffs Harbour laboratory
Digital restoration design in our on-site laboratory.

COSTS & PLANNING

What does
the planning cost?

The cosmetic consultation is $95 for 30 minutes.

It includes a limited examination, a talk through your options, and a cosmetic treatment plan, or a plan for each option you’re weighing up. For a set of veneers, case planning and a trial smile are included in the set price. For other treatment, we’ll explain any planning fees first.

Treatment is priced according to the options chosen, the teeth involved and any preliminary care. There is no single smile makeover package price.

View the full fee schedule ↗

TREATMENT COSTS FOR CONTEXT · OCTOBER 2026

Take-home whitening kit
$500
In-chair whitening
About $1,200
Composite bondingMinor adjustments, per tooth
$400–$500
Composite veneer setsFour to ten teeth
$4,300–$6,900
Ceramic veneer setsFour to ten teeth
$6,100–$9,600

These are individual treatment fees, not a combined package. Your plan should explain the applicable fees, inclusions and any additional treatment.

BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Your questions.

Can I try the proposed shape before treatment?

A physical mock-up can place a temporary version of a proposed shape over the teeth in suitable cases. It offers a different kind of information from a photograph. With a set of veneers, the trial smile is included in the set price. For other treatment, we’ll check it suits your case and explain any fee first.

Can I keep the character of my smile?

Tell us what you like about your teeth as well as what you would like to change. Those preferences belong in the design conversation. You do not need to aim for identical teeth or a particular shade.

Will treatment involve removing natural tooth?

It depends on the treatment and your teeth. Some changes can be made by adding material; others involve preparation. Removed tooth structure does not grow back. Discuss the amount of preparation and alternatives before deciding.

Can treatment be spread over time?

Sometimes. Tell us your budget and timing priorities at the start. We can discuss what may be staged and whether delaying a particular step could affect the rest of the plan.

How long will the treatment take?

Digital smile design is the planning stage, so it does not have a single treatment timeline. The procedures selected, any preparatory care and your appointment schedule determine the overall duration.

What care will I need afterwards?

Ongoing care depends on the treatments you choose. Restorations may need maintenance, repair or replacement, and orthodontic treatment involves retention. These commitments should be part of the initial decision.

Can I attend from Dorrigo?

Patients from Dorrigo and the plateau are welcome to enquire. Tell our team your preferred location so they can confirm where your assessment and any design or treatment appointments would take place.

YOUR FIRST STEP

Bring your questions.
Start with your priorities.

Tell us what you would like to change, what you would like to keep and any concerns about cost, timing or treatment.

You do not need to choose a treatment before getting in touch. Our team can confirm the appropriate appointment, its inclusions and location.

Cosmetic consultation $95

Request a consultation ↗(02) 6652 3185

An enquiry starts the booking process. Our team will confirm your appointment.