When most people think about cosmetic dentistry, they often imagine dramatic transformations involving aggressive tooth preparation and multiple veneers. At Maroubra Dental Clinic, we've developed a different philosophy—our ABC Approach that creates beautiful, natural smiles with minimal intervention. This approach aligns perfectly with our commitment to "Natural Smiles, Lasting Confidence."
Let's explore how this approach transformed Lisa's smile journey, and how a 32-year-old beauty-conscious professional discovered that the most stunning smiles often require the least invasive treatments.
Lisa, a 32-year-old (mum) and fitness enthusiast, came to our clinic with a clear goal: "I want a perfect smile for my family photos and social media." She followed several influencers who had undergone complete smile makeovers and expected she would need a full set of veneers and crowns to achieve her desired look.
During her consultation, Dr. Joe noticed that Lisa already had mostly healthy teeth with a shut off bite (deep bite) and some discolouration due to years of coffee and tea consumption. Veneers were not appropriate for Lisa's teeth.
"Many patients come in thinking they need extensive work when often, a more conservative approach can achieve beautiful results while preserving their natural teeth," explains Dr. Joe. "When I showed Lisa what we could accomplish with our ABC Approach, she was surprised and relieved."
Our ABC Approach represents the three pillars of smile aesthetics that guide our cosmetic treatments:
"I was convinced I needed crowns to fix my crooked front teeth," Lisa shared. "But Dr. Joe suggested starting with Invisalign to address the alignment first. It made so much sense—why cut the teeth to cover them with crowns when you can simply straighten them?"
For Lisa, an 18 month course of Invisalign clear aligners corrected her deep bite which allowed her bottom teeth to be seen again and created a harmonious arch form—the foundation of an attractive smile.
After completing her alignment treatment, Lisa's teeth were perfectly straight, but still showed signs of staining and discolouration.
"The bonding on one of my teeth was a game-changer", Lisa recalls. "I was amazed on how just a change in one tooth made my smile brighter after one session. The results were subtle but it made my smile look natural - exactly what I wanted."
Our approach to brightness focuses on enhancing your natural teeth rather than covering them up:
In Lisa's case, a conservative bonding technique was used.
The final element of Lisa's transformation involved subtle artistic recontouring of her front teeth.
"Lisa had slightly uneven edges on her front teeth that were barely noticeable to others but bothered her in close-up photos," Dr. Joe explains. "With gentle reshaping and a small amount of bonding on just two teeth, we were able to perfect her smile without removing healthy tooth structure."
Twenty months after her first consultation, Lisa's smile transformation was complete—and the results exceeded her expectations.
"I came in thinking I needed a complete overhaul, but Dr. Joe showed me how to enhance what I already had," Lisa says. "My family photos were perfect, and I constantly get compliments on how natural my smile looks. The best part is knowing I haven't damaged my healthy teeth for a temporary aesthetic fix."
Lisa came in to talk to us about straightening her teeth and opening her bite, so that she can see her bottom teeth again, as well as do some work to make the rest of her top front teeth shape and colour look better.
We managed to open her bite in 6 months’ time, straighten the rest of her teeth in another 12 months.
After her teeth were straightened we had a talk about making the rest of her teeth look nice (using the B and C principle).
In the end, we have decided only do some work on her top left canine and only placed a composite veneer which is minimally destructive with maximum results.
Lisa's before and after photos show a dramatic improvement, but what's not visible is what wasn't done—no healthy tooth structure was unnecessarily removed, no teeth were covered with full crowns, and no future complications were introduced.
One of the key tools in Lisa’s smile journey was our 3D imaging technology, which allowed us to plan her treatment with precision and confidence. Before beginning any physical treatment, we captured high-resolution digital scans of Lisa’s teeth and bite. This gave Dr. Joe a complete picture of her dental structure—from every angle—without the need for messy impressions or guesswork.
With these scans, we could simulate different treatment outcomes, monitor changes over time, and ensure that every adjustment—from bite opening to bonding—was guided by data. The 3D imaging was especially helpful in planning the alignment phase, allowing for more accurate Invisalign trays and ensuring the bite correction didn’t compromise function or aesthetics.
"Having a clear digital model of my smile before we even started made the whole process feel so precise and personal," Lisa recalls. "It felt like there was a plan that really fit me."
"The most beautiful cosmetic dentistry is the kind you can't detect," Dr. Joe emphasizes. "Our ABC Approach isn't just about aesthetics—it's about long-term oral health."
The benefits of our minimal intervention philosophy include:
Lisa's story represents many of our patients who value natural-looking results and long-term oral health. The ABC Approach might be perfect for you if:
"What surprised me most was that the conservative approach actually gave me better results than what I initially wanted," Lisa reflects. "I didn't just get a prettier smile—I got one that will last."
Our minimal intervention philosophy is supported by advanced technology:
"Seeing the digital preview of my smile before we started was incredibly reassuring," Lisa says. "It helped me understand exactly what Dr. Joe was recommending and why."
Ready to discover how our ABC Approach can transform your smile while preserving your natural teeth? Book your free smile assessment today and learn how minimal intervention can deliver maximum results.
"I tell all my friends to forget what they see on Instagram—the best smiles are the ones that look naturally perfect," Lisa concludes. "And that's exactly what Maroubra Dental Clinic helped me achieve."
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