Your first cosmetic dentistry consultation is an important step toward creating a smile that reflects your confidence, personality, and long-term oral health. At StarImage Dental Boutique & Oral Surgery in Southlake, TX, we want every patient to feel prepared and relaxed when they walk through our doors. This article explains exactly what to expect, from your first conversation with our team to reviewing your personalized treatment plan.
What a Cosmetic Dentistry Consultation Is
A cosmetic consultation is a dedicated visit where we take time to understand your goals, evaluate your oral health, and explore the options that can help you feel confident about your smile. Unlike a routine checkup, this appointment focuses on appearance, comfort, and how your bite functions—key elements of a successful cosmetic result.
During your consultation, our Southlake, TX cosmetic dental office will discuss:
- What you currently like about your smile
- What you’d like to enhance or change
- Any long-term concerns, including worn teeth, gaps, discoloration, or aging dental work
- How your lifestyle and comfort preferences influence your treatment plan
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Smile Makeover Consultation
Many people assume cosmetic dentistry is reserved for celebrities or dramatic makeovers, but most of the patients we meet in Southlake are everyday people who simply want to feel more confident. Whether your concerns are subtle or more involved, we tailor every recommendation to your goals, comfort, and long-term oral health.
You may be a strong candidate if you relate to any of the following:
- You hide your smile in photos
- You have chipped, worn, or stained teeth
- You’re frustrated by old crowns or mismatched dental work
- You want a brighter, more even smile
- You have missing teeth that affect confidence or chewing
Cosmetic dentistry can also support a refreshed, more youthful appearance and is a popular choice for those preparing for major life moments—weddings, career changes, reunions, or milestone celebrations.
How to Prepare for Your Cosmetic Consultation
Preparing for your consultation helps us understand your goals and design a personalized plan that feels practical and achievable. A few thoughtful steps can make your visit even more productive.
Before your appointment, consider:
- Thinking about the specific aspects of your smile you’d like to change
- Bringing photos of smiles you admire—or past photos of your own smile
- Writing down any questions about treatment options, timing, or comfort
- Sharing a list of medications or relevant health concerns
- Noting whether you have a desired timeframe or upcoming event
A little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring your visit is relaxed, efficient, and centered on what matters most to you.
What to Expect From Our Cosmetic Dentists
Your experience begins the moment you step into our boutique-style office. Comfort is a priority, especially for patients seeking cosmetic enhancements, and we want you to feel at ease from the very start.
When you arrive, you can expect:
- A warm welcome from our team
- A brief health and smile questionnaire
- A relaxed conversation about what inspired you to schedule a consultation
You’ll then meet Dr. James Green, whose extensive background in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry shapes our approach to creating natural, long-lasting results. If your treatment plan involves dental implants or oral surgery, Dr. Richard Urbanek may also take part in your evaluation, ensuring your care is seamlessly planned in one location.
Step 1: Comprehensive Smile Evaluation
Your consultation begins with a thorough, patient-focused evaluation. This exam helps us understand the current health and appearance of your teeth, gums, and bite so we can make accurate and personalized recommendations.
During this evaluation, we look at:
- Tooth color, shape, and alignment
- The balance and health of your gumline
- Worn, broken, or old dental work
- How your teeth come together when you bite and chew
- How your smile appears when your face is at rest, talking, or laughing
We explain everything in clear, easy-to-understand language. You’ll see what we see, which makes it easier to understand your options.
Step 2: Advanced Imaging and Technology
When appropriate, we use advanced imaging to study your teeth, jaw, and facial structure in more detail. These tools allow us to plan treatment with accuracy and predictability.
Depending on your needs, we may use:
- Digital X-rays or 3D scans to evaluate bone, roots, and airway concerns
- High-quality photos to analyze your smile and facial features
- Digital models or imaging tools to preview possible changes
If you’d like to explore the technology we use across our practice, you can learn more about our advanced dental technology. These tools enable us to design smiles that look beautiful and feel comfortable in the long term.
Step 3: Discussing Your Smile Goals in Detail
Once we complete your evaluation, we sit down together to talk through your goals. This is a collaborative process where you guide the conversation. We want to understand what truly matters to you and how you envision your future smile looking and feeling.
We often ask questions such as:
- What do you like most about your smile today?
- What bothers you the most?
- Do you want a subtle change or a dramatic transformation?
- Are you looking to appear more youthful, polished, or simply more confident?
Your answers help us prioritize your treatment and create a vision that reflects your personality and preferences.
Step 4: Treatment Options You May Discuss
Once we understand your goals, we explain the options that may help you achieve them. Every plan is customized because no two smiles—or patients—are the same.
You may discuss cosmetic options such as:
- Professional teeth whitening for brighter results
- Porcelain veneers to refine the shape, color, and symmetry of your smile
- Cosmetic bonding for minor chips or small gaps
- Laser gum treatment to reshape a high or uneven gumline as part of a smile makeover
In some cases, you may also consider restorative or implant solutions, especially if missing or damaged teeth are part of your concerns. Patients who require full-arch tooth replacement may benefit from our full-arch implant restoration service, which offers improved function and appearance.
If your goals involve multiple improvements, we may recommend a comprehensive smile makeover to create a balanced and natural look. Every option will be explained clearly so you understand the benefits and expected outcomes.
Step 5: Timelines, Comfort, and Sedation Options
Many patients want to know how long treatment will take and whether the process will be comfortable. We design your timeline around your specific needs, schedule, and any major events you may have planned.
Treatment timelines depend on:
- Whether you are receiving simple cosmetic updates or a full makeover
- How many teeth are being treated
- Whether implants or bite adjustments are part of your plan
- Your ideal finishing date
Comfort is also an important part of your consultation. Our sedation options help patients relax during treatment. You can read more about these solutions on our page about sedation dentistry. Many patients tell us these options make their experience easier than expected.
Step 6: Talking About Investment, Financing, and Next Steps
Transparency builds trust, so we take time to explain your recommended plan and the associated investment. During this part of the visit, we walk step-by-step through your options so you can make an informed decision.
We discuss:
- The specific treatments included in your plan
- Estimated costs for each phase
- How to pace treatment over time if that works better for you
- How insurance may apply for restorative portions
- Available financing options
You are never pressured to commit on the spot. Our goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and excited about your next steps.
When a Full Smile Makeover or Full-Mouth Reconstruction Is Recommended
Some patients benefit from a more comprehensive approach, especially if they have several concerns at once. A full smile makeover focuses on cosmetic improvements, while full-mouth reconstruction addresses deeper issues with chewing, comfort, or worn teeth.
We may recommend a comprehensive plan when:
- You have multiple worn, cracked, or missing teeth
- You experience ongoing jaw discomfort or bite issues
- Old dental work is failing across several areas
- You want a dramatic transformation in both appearance and comfort
With Dr. Green’s extensive experience in reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry and Dr. Urbanek’s surgical expertise, our team can coordinate every part of your transformation in one practice.
Questions You Can Ask During Your Consultation
We encourage you to ask questions so your treatment feels clear and comfortable from the very beginning. A few helpful questions include:
- What are my treatment options, and what do you recommend for my goals?
- How long will my results last?
- What will I feel during and after treatment?
- How many visits will this take?
- Can we phase treatment if I prefer to move slowly?
Asking questions helps us design a plan that fits your expectations and comfort level.
How to Take the Next Step Toward Your New Smile
Your cosmetic consultation is the beginning of a smile that looks beautiful, feels comfortable, and supports your long-term oral health. Whether you want a subtle enhancement or a full transformation, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. To schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation, call us at (817) 587-4414.
We look forward to welcoming you and helping you plan a smile you’ll love for years to come.
