Some health funds include orthodontic cover that may contribute towards clear aligner treatment. Our team can provide the relevant item numbers and help you check your coverage.
Yes. Simply remove your aligners before meals and enjoy your food as usual. Avoid hot beverages while wearing them, as heat can distort the material.
You may feel light pressure when switching to a new set — a sign that your teeth are shifting as intended. Any discomfort is typically mild and short-lived, making the process far gentler than braces.
Yes. Retainers are essential to maintain your results. They prevent teeth from shifting back and are usually worn at night for long-term stability.
Clear aligners straighten your teeth discreetly without metal brackets or wires. They’re removable, easier to clean, and far more comfortable — offering the same great results with greater flexibility and aesthetics.
Clear aligners use a series of custom-made, removable trays that apply gentle, consistent pressure to move your teeth step by step into ideal alignment.
Treatment time varies depending on your starting position and goals but typically ranges between 6–18 months. We’ll estimate your timeline during your consultation and digital scan.
For the best results, aligners should be worn for 20–22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink (other than water), or brush. Consistent wear ensures your teeth move predictably according to plan.
If an aligner is misplaced, contact us right away. We’ll guide you on whether to move to your next set or have a replacement made to keep your progress on track.
Hardly. Clear aligners are virtually invisible — they sit snugly over your teeth and are almost undetectable in conversation or photographs.
Composite veneers themselves can’t be whitened with traditional bleaching treatment, whitening gels only work on natural enamel. However, applying composite veneers can change the brightness of your smile by selecting brighter shades of composite that mask the underlying tooth structure. Professional whitening can still be applied to the natural teeth around the veneers.
Composite resin is slightly more porous than porcelain, so mild staining can occur over time — particularly with coffee, tea, or red wine. Professional polishing or refinishing can easily refresh their appearance.
Yes. One of the main advantages of composite veneers is that your new smile can be crafted and completed in a single appointment, without the need for temporary veneers or multiple visits.
Absolutely. When crafted well, composite veneers can look incredibly natural. The artistry lies in the layering, shaping, and polishing — capturing the same light and translucency as real enamel.
The functionality of both the porcelain and composite veneers is the same. What differs is the material used. Porcelain veneers are crafted in a dental lab and bonded later, while composite veneers are sculpted directly onto your teeth in one visit. Composite offers a more accessible, flexible solution, whereas porcelain provides greater durability and stain resistance.
Think of composite veneers a little like a luxury car — their longevity depends on how well they’re cared for. With good habits and regular maintenance, they can last beautifully for many years. Studies show around 90% of composite veneers remain in excellent condition after five years, and many last much longer.
Their true advantage is versatility — if a veneer ever chips, wears, or loses a little lustre, it can be easily repaired or refreshed without needing to replace the entire smile. With the right care, your veneers can continue to look and feel as stunning as the day they were placed.
No — the process is gentle and comfortable. In some cases, there’s no need for anaesthetic at all.
Care for them as you would your natural teeth — daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. Avoid biting hard objects (like pens or ice), and consider periodic professional polishing to maintain their shine.
Composite resin can pick up mild staining from coffee, tea, or red wine over time, but this can be easily polished away during routine maintenance visits. Minor chips can also be repaired without replacing the entire restoration.
Absolutely. It’s often performed alongside whitening, Invisalign, or contouring to refine and complete a smile transformation.
Yes — bonding is excellent for closing small gaps or uneven spacing between teeth, restoring balance while keeping the result natural and proportionate.
While both treatments use composite resin, the difference lies in coverage and purpose:
| Bonding/ Edge Bonding | Composite Veneers |
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With good care, edge bonding typically lasts around 5 years before needing maintenance or touch-ups. Longevity depends on factors like grinding habits, diet, and oral hygiene — but touch-ups are quick and straightforward when needed.
Not at all. Depending on the underlying tooth structure, it may not require anaesthetic or drilling.
If you’re considering whitening, it’s always best to whiten before bonding. Composite resin doesn’t change colour with whitening treatments, so we want your natural teeth to reach their ideal brightness first.
After whitening, we recommend waiting two weeks before applying bonding. This allows the enamel to stabilise and ensures optimal bonding strength and shade matching. During this period, it’s important to avoid any further whitening, so your teeth maintain a consistent, final colour for perfect integration.
They’re essentially the same. Edge bonding is just a more specific term describing where the bonding is placed — usually on the lower portion or edges of the teeth (around 30–40% of the surface). You may hear the terms bonding and edge bonding being used interchangeably.
No. Bonding is additive, meaning the resin is applied over your existing enamel without removing or damaging it. It’s one of the most conservative cosmetic options available.
Hybrid veneers don’t respond to whitening gels, but they can be professionally polished or resurfaced to refresh their brightness. If whitening is desired, it’s best to whiten natural teeth beforehand for a perfect match.
They’re highly resistant to stains and everyday wear. However, like any ceramic material, they can chip under excessive force. The benefit is that hybrid veneers can be repaired or repolished easily, without full replacement.
Absolutely. Hybrid veneers are designed for everyday function — you can enjoy your favourite foods comfortably. We just recommend avoiding biting directly into very hard items like ice or shells, just as you would with natural teeth.
No, preparation done on the teeth depends on the current position of your teeth and whether any camouflage is being conducted to change the positions of the underlying teeth. In an ideal tooth setup, it is very little. Modern veneer techniques are minimally invasive — often removing less than 0.3–0.5 mm of enamel (about the thickness of a contact lens). This gentle contouring ensures your veneers sit seamlessly and naturally on the teeth, without appearing bulky or artificial.
Porcelain veneers are entirely ceramic and offer unmatched long-term durability and optical beauty. Hybrid veneers, while slightly softer, provide similar aesthetics, quicker turnaround times, and easier maintenance — making them ideal for patients who want the best of both worlds.
Composite veneers are hand-layered directly on the teeth, while hybrid veneers are milled from a solid ceramic block, offering greater strength, precision, and stain resistance. They bridge the gap — more durable than composite, more cost-effective than porcelain.
With proper care, 90% of hybrid veneers typically last 5-10 years. Their lifespan depends on individual maintenance and habits — just like looking after a finely tuned car. Regular check-ups, gentle care, and avoiding habits like biting hard objects will keep them performing beautifully.
Hybrid veneers are made from an advanced hybrid ceramic — approximately 70% porcelain and 30% resin. This combination blends the strength and gloss of porcelain with the resilience and repairability of composite.
Yes — simply remove your aligners before meals and enjoy your food as usual. Avoid hot drinks while wearing aligners, as heat can distort them.
Yes. After treatment, you’ll wear a discreet retainer (usually at night) to maintain your results and ensure your smile stays perfectly aligned long-term.
Most patients describe only mild pressure when switching to a new set of aligners — a sign your teeth are gently shifting. It’s far more comfortable than traditional braces.
Invisalign utilizes a set of clear plastic ‘trays’ or aligners that are made custom to your teeth. These series of trays are design to gently and slowly move your teeth over a period of time. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign is barely noticeable. With traditional braces you will be able to see the metal brackets and wires in the mouth however with Invisalign the aligners are clear, and as such very hard to notice. Hygiene is also greater improved as Invisalign is able to be removed from the mouth when cleaning.
Invisalign uses a sequence of clear, removable aligners that gently move your teeth in small, planned increments. Each aligner builds upon the last until your smile reaches its ideal alignment.
Most Invisalign treatments take 6–18 months, depending on your starting point and goals. We can estimate your timeframe precisely during your digital scan and design consultation.
For best results, wear your aligners 22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink, or brush. Consistency ensures your teeth move according to plan.
If you misplace an aligner, contact us right away. We’ll advise whether to move to your next set or replace the missing one to keep your progress on track.
Hardly. Invisalign aligners are clear and fit snugly against your teeth, making them almost invisible in everyday life even in photos.
Some private health funds will cover part of the Invisalign treatment costs. Our reception team can provide you with Invisalign treatment numbers and check if you’re covered.
Porcelain veneers are a long-term treatment that involves reshaping a thin layer of enamel, so they’re not reversible — but they’re designed to be a lasting investment in your smile.
Porcelain doesn’t respond to whitening gels, but professional cleaning and polishing can keep them radiant.
Porcelain is highly resistant to stains, unlike natural enamel or composite resin. Coffee, tea, and wine won’t dull their brightness — though regular polishing helps maintain their pristine finish.
Absolutely not. That’s a common misconception. At Altura, our approach is preservation-focused — we keep your natural teeth almost entirely intact. Only the minimum amount of enamel is reshaped to allow integration with your porcelain veneers. Your teeth remain strong, healthy, and very much your own.
Yes — when crafted with precision, porcelain veneers can look indistinguishable from natural teeth. At Altura, every design considers your facial proportions, skin tone, and the way light interacts with your smile, ensuring lifelike, seamless results.
Porcelain veneers are incredibly durable — research shows over 90% remain in excellent condition after 10 years, and many last well beyond 15 years with good care. Regular check-ups, a nightguard (if you grind your teeth), and gentle maintenance help preserve their longevity.
Preparation done on the teeth depends on the current position of your teeth and whether any camouflage is being conducted to change the positions of the underlying teeth. In an ideal tooth setup, it is very little. Modern veneer techniques are minimally invasive — often removing less than 0.3–0.5 mm of enamel (about the thickness of a contact lens). This gentle contouring ensures your veneers sit seamlessly and naturally on the teeth, without appearing bulky or artificial.
Not at all. The process is gentle and comfortable, performed under local anaesthetic if needed. Most patients describe the experience as smooth and surprisingly easy.
Porcelain veneers offer a smile transformation in both colour, size, shape, to achieve ideal smile parameters, something whitening or bonding alone can’t always achieve.
While whitening simply brightens your existing teeth and bonding repairs isolated areas (mainly the bottom 30-40% of your tooth), porcelain veneers redefine proportion, symmetry, and overall harmony, creating a smile that looks naturally flawless and stays radiant for years.
You can enjoy nearly all the same foods you always have. Porcelain veneers are incredibly strong once bonded and can handle normal eating comfortably.
We simply recommend treating them as you would natural teeth — avoid using them to bite hard objects like ice, nuts in their shell, or opening packages. With mindful care, you can eat, smile, and live freely without restrictions.
Both porcelain and composite veneers can beautifully transform a smile — the difference lies in material, craftsmanship, and longevity.
Composite veneers are sculpted directly onto your teeth in a single visit and are ideal for subtle, accessible improvements. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are individually crafted by master ceramists, offering superior durability, lifelike translucency, and stain resistance. They’re the more refined, long-term option — a true investment in lasting beauty.
Porcelain veneers cover only the front surface of the tooth, preserving as much natural structure as possible, it’s more like a thin shell that sits on the surface, much like a contact lens for your tooth — subtle, precise, and transformative. Crowns, by contrast, encase the entire tooth and are used when teeth are heavily worn, cracked, or previously restored much like a helmet.
If your teeth are healthy and strong, veneers are a more conservative and aesthetic option, offering beautiful results with minimal alteration.
Absolutely. Whether your smile is transformed through veneers, bonding, or full rehabilitation — oral hygiene remains essential. Restorative or cosmetic treatments don’t replace the need for daily care; they simply give you a stronger, more beautiful foundation to maintain.
Even patients who choose All-on-4 implants still need to brush, clean, and maintain their restorations carefully. The difference is simply what you’re looking after — natural teeth or implant restorations — but the commitment to hygiene is the same.
Regular brushing, flossing (or interdental cleaning), and professional check-ups keep your gums healthy and your results long-lasting. Think of your new smile as a precision-engineered investment — it looks and performs beautifully when cared for properly.
That depends on your treatment plan. Some cosmetic makeovers can be completed in 2–3 visits, while full rehabilitations may take a few months.
We’ll tailor the process to your lifestyle and priorities.
With proper care and maintenance, a full smile transformation can last 10 years or more depending on the type of material and stages of treatment completed.
We design every case with long-term stability and ease of maintenance in mind.
Absolutely. Many of our patients arrive believing their only option is extraction, only to discover that full rehabilitation can restore both strength and beauty.
With digital design, we can show you what’s possible before treatment begins — helping you see the transformation that feels impossible right now.
Yes. In many cases, we can save and rebuild your natural teeth, even when they appear severely damaged or worn.
All-on-4 is a great solution when teeth are beyond saving, but we often find that patients have far more healthy structure remaining than they think.
Our goal is to preserve what nature gave you — not replace it unnecessarily.
Depending on your goals and oral condition, your transformation may include:
A cosmetic transformation focuses on enhancing the visual appearance — shape, colour, and alignment — through treatments like veneers or bonding.
A functional transformation (rehabilitation) restores the bite and structure of worn or damaged teeth, improving both function and aesthetics. Most full smile makeovers include elements of both.
Yes, depending on your overall treatment plan we can provide provisional teeth to wear right after the ‘preparation phase’ of your smile transformation. These provisional teeth are meant to act as a blueprint for your final teeth and will provide an instant change.
Always. Our goal is to design a smile that complements your facial features, not overpower them.
Each restoration is crafted with natural proportions, translucency, and texture for a refined, believable result.
Absolutely. Many patients transition from dentures to fixed bridges for greater comfort, stability, and aesthetics.
We can evaluate your bone and gum health to determine the best plan for your upgrade.
In most cases, yes. Within 24–48 hours, a fixed temporary bridge is fitted to your implants.
This lets you leave with a complete, natural-looking smile while your final ceramic bridge is being planned and fabricated.
Yes — even though your new teeth are fixed, oral hygiene remains essential.
Just like natural teeth, All-on-4 bridges require daily cleaning and regular check-ups to prevent gum inflammation or infection around the implants.
There’s no difference in hygiene commitment between maintaining natural teeth and maintaining implants — both require care and consistency.
Unlike removable dentures, All-on-4 bridges are fixed via prosthetic screws to implants.
They feel stable and secure, don’t shift when you speak or eat, and allow you to bite and chew with confidence.
You can expect some mild tenderness for a few days after surgery, but most patients return to normal activities within a week.
We prescribe plenty of medication so that post-operative symptoms will be well controlled.
The implants fully integrate over 4–6 months, during which your temporary bridge supports both healing and confidence.
It depends on how well it’s cared for — much like how long a car lasts depends on its maintenance. The implants themselves are designed to be a long-term foundation, and with excellent hygiene, regular reviews, and professional care, they can last for a long time.
The bridge (the teeth that attach to the implants) will experience normal wear over time and may need periodic servicing, repairs, or eventual replacement — just as a car needs servicing to stay at its best.
The key is consistency. Daily cleaning, routine check-ups, and maintenance visits are what keep your investment performing beautifully for the long term.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic or sedation, so you won’t feel any discomfort during treatment.
Afterwards, mild soreness is easily managed with prescribed medication.
“All-on-4” refers to using four implants per arch, while “All-on-X” simply means more than four (often five or six) are used for additional support — depending on bone structure and treatment needs.
This treatment is ideal for patients who are missing all or most of their teeth, or whose remaining teeth are failing and cannot support traditional restorations.
If you’ve been told you need dentures, All-on-4 may be a life-changing fixed alternative.
Yes. Every All-on-4 case is designed with your facial structure in mind — the shape, shade, and contours are customised to complement your features for a lifelike, confident smile.
Care is taken to ensure comfort. Any post treatment tenderness typically settles with gentle support and recommended care.
Bone growth takes time. Most cases require several months before implants can be placed.
Not always. It depends on your bone levels. Your clinician will assess and explain your options clearly.
You do not feel the material itself. You simply allow the area to heal while we guide your progress.
No. The temporary crown must remain out of function. This means no biting or chewing on that tooth for approximately 3 to 4 months while the implant integrates. This step is critical for success.
No. Suitability depends on bone quality, gum health, infection control, and bite forces. We only recommend this option when conditions are ideal for predictable long term success.
Yes. Once healing is complete and the final crown is placed, the long term outcome is exactly the same if not better, provided the implant has been protected from loading during the healing phase.
When performed by a highly trained clinician and in the right case, immediate implants are very successful and in fact the same success rate as a standard implant. The key factor is experience and precision.
In most cases, you would need to wait several months before implant placement and wear a removable temporary appliance during healing, which many patients find uncomfortable and inconvenient.
The pricing of our standard single implants is based on a healed ridge (already missing tooth) with sufficient bone volume.
This treatment combines several procedures into one highly technical appointment. The cost includes the extraction of the existing tooth, bone substitutes or grafting if needed, implant placement, and a custom provisional crown. Without this approach, patients often still need to pay for a removable temporary tooth, extractions and bone substitutes regardless, which adds cost and inconvenience.
Yes. It is designed to look natural and support the gums, but it is intentionally not designed for chewing.
Yes. Implants can support crowns or bridges that replace multiple teeth.
Not always. Strategic placement can support several teeth with fewer implants.
Implants are designed for long term success, supported by regular maintenance and care.
Care is taken to make the experience comfortable. Healing is supported with attentive follow up.
Yes. A natural-looking temporary restoration is provided so you never have to go without a tooth during the healing phase.
Absolutely. While an implant can’t decay, the surrounding gum and bone still require care.
Daily brushing, flossing, and regular hygiene visits are essential — the same as for natural teeth.
Just like with a car or a natural smile, consistent maintenance is what keeps everything performing beautifully for the long term.
Like any precision restoration, it depends on how well it’s cared for — much like how long a car lasts depends on its maintenance.
The implant itself can potentially last more than 10 years with excellent hygiene, regular reviews, and professional care.
From implant placement to final crown, treatment usually takes 3–6 months, depending on healing. The planning and design phases ensure a precise, long-lasting result.
As part of the consultation and examination we will take a 3D X-ray scan to visualize the bone available. If there is insufficient bone we generally conduct a procedure known as bone regeneration to regenerate the missing bone, sometimes this is done simultaneously with the implant placement.
Depending on the adjacent teeth but generally Yes, A bridge requires reshaping the healthy teeth beside the gap, whereas an implant stands independently — protecting your natural enamel and helping preserve the jawbone beneath.
No. Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic or sedation for complete comfort. Most patients describe only mild tenderness afterward, easily managed with over-the-counter medication.
Yes. Each crown is digitally designed and hand-finished to match the colour, translucency, and shape of your natural teeth — it will blend seamlessly into your smile.
Yes. We assess growth and alignment and provide guidance or referrals as needed.
Yes. Many families schedule together for convenience.
We use gentle communication, time, and reassurance to build trust. Parents are welcome to stay close.
Around twelve months of age or when the first tooth appears.
Yes, in most cases. Your clinician will advise if different care is needed.
Most patients recover quickly after a filling. Extractions require a short healing period which we support with clear guidance.
We welcome you to share your concerns. Our approach supports anxious patients with patience and reassurance.
We take care to ensure comfort. You may feel gentle pressure rather than pain.
Research suggests links between gum disease and systemic health. Supporting gum health benefits whole body wellbeing.
We focus on comfort and may use anaesthetic when appropriate.
Early stages can often be reversed. More advanced cases can be managed effectively with consistent care.
Yes. Maintenance is key to long term gum health.
Soft foods and gentle care are recommended initially. Guidance is provided based on your procedure.
Sedation options are available and discussed during consultation.
Recovery time varies. Your clinician will provide specific advice and follow up support.
Local anaesthetic and gentle care help ensure comfort. Some tenderness after surgery is normal and temporary.
Cleans improve brightness by removing surface staining. Whitening options are also available if desired.
Most patients benefit from visits every six months. Some may require more frequent support.
Yes. Preventative care builds healthy habits for all ages.
We tailor treatment to your comfort and provide options to soothe sensitivity.
Only when clinically appropriate. Your clinician will explain why and when they are recommended.
Routine exams often include a clean unless a separate visit is needed for more detailed care.
Most people benefit from visits every six months. Your dentist will tailor timing based on your needs.
You are welcome to share how you feel. We support anxious patients with extra care and gentle pacing.
