The flawless uniform smile has had its day
For years the goal was clear: teeth as straight, as white and as flawless as possible. The Hollywood smile. People who come to us today want this less and less. Something else is in demand — a result that nobody notices.
For us, modern aesthetics means doing less and still achieving the best possible result. Correcting a small misalignment, harmonising the rows of teeth, perhaps lightening the colour a little — without every tooth ending up looking like the next.
Discretion is a requirement of its own
This is particularly clear with patients in professions with a lot of client contact — in Zurich often from the financial sector. Anyone who presents, negotiates or leads a team every day wants neither visible metal brackets in a meeting nor a smile that obviously looks done.
- Clear aligners instead of fixed braces — removable and barely visible in everyday life. More about aligners for adults
- Restrained colour correction instead of maximum whitening — professional whitening from CHF 440 stays within a natural range
- Adjusting individual teeth instead of reworking the entire set
Tooth substance is irreplaceable
This is our most important principle. Healthy tooth substance that has once been ground away does not come back. That is why we proceed in this order:
- First correct the positionIf the result can be achieved orthodontically, that is always the gentlest route — the teeth remain fully intact.
- Then add minimally invasivelyComposite bonding from CHF 600 per tooth corrects shape, gaps and edges — usually entirely without grinding.
- Only then ceramicNon-Prep Veneers from CHF 2,400 per tooth manage without removing tooth substance in many cases; classic veneers from CHF 1,900 only where clinically necessary.
What we see critically: “Turkey Teeth”
Under this label, numerous images circulate on TikTok and Instagram of treatments in which healthy teeth are heavily ground down before being crowned or veneered. At first glance the result looks impressive — but the price for it is permanent.
If a lot of tooth substance is removed, the tooth permanently depends on a restoration. Crowns and veneers do not last forever and have to be renewed at some point — and each time it becomes more complex. A tooth that has never been ground down, by contrast, keeps every option open. That is why we always clarify beforehand whether the desired result can also be achieved more gently.
Seeing the result before it begins
What makes the decision noticeably easier: the possible result can be shown today before treatment has even started. The mouth is captured digitally, tooth movements are planned in advance and the individual steps simulated. This makes it visible beforehand how the tooth position is intended to change — and whether the result really matches what you have in mind. More in our article Smile Makeover.
What makes a beautiful smile
For me, beauty is above all harmony and individuality. Every person is different — and the result should be just as individual. — Dr. med. dent. Nazanin Böhle, owner of House of Smiles
What matters is not getting as close as possible to a particular ideal, but recognising yourself in the result. That is exactly why every aesthetic treatment with us starts with a conversation — and sometimes it ends there, because nothing needs to be done at all.
You can read the full conversation about changing beauty ideals, digital planning and preserving tooth substance on finews: “The new status symbol is worn in the mouth” — also available in German.
Wondering whether and what would make sense for you? Arrange a no-obligation consultation at our practice at Löwenplatz in Zurich — we will tell you honestly what we recommend and what is not necessary.
This article is for general information only and does not replace individual dental advice. Whether and which treatment is right for you is something we determine in a personal consultation based on your individual situation.
