Cosmetic Dentistry · Led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie) · Last reviewed May 2026
A Smile That Looks
Like You, Only Better.
The full cosmetic catalogue: Zoom whitening, bonding, composite and porcelain veneers (Emax, Lisi), Lumineers, ceramic inlays, gum contouring and full Hollywood Smile makeovers. Every case begins with photographs, an iTero scan and a Digital Smile Design preview, you see your new smile on screen and trial it in your own mouth before a single tooth is touched. Cosmetic cases led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie) across six branches.
Savings
Same Materials. Same Design Discipline. Roughly One Third the Price.
Indicative ranges for a 16-veneer Hollywood Smile (full upper-arch, Emax pressed lithium disilicate) in private practice. Sources: ADA, BDA and AusDent published surveys; Picasso published rate card. Smaller cases scale proportionally; we send a written, itemised quote within 24 hours of seeing your photographs.
| Country | Typical 16-Veneer Hollywood Smile (USD) | What You'd Save |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $24,000 to $48,000 | ~70 to 80% |
| Australia | $30,000 to $55,000 AUD | ~70 to 80% |
| United Kingdom | £18,000 to £35,000 | ~65 to 75% |
| Canada | $22,000 to $44,000 CAD | ~65 to 75% |
| New Zealand | $32,000 to $55,000 NZD | ~70 to 80% |
| Picasso Dental, Vietnam | Composite to Lisi tiers, see cost guide |
Full itemised pricing on the cosmetic cost guide. Smaller cases (4 to 8 veneers, bonding, whitening) scale proportionally.
What It Is
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the discipline concerned with improving the appearance of teeth, gums and the overall smile. It covers whitening, bonding, composite and porcelain veneers, ceramic inlays, gum contouring, and full smile makeovers. The defining technique is conservative: improve appearance with the smallest possible change to natural tooth structure. Crowns, which require substantial tooth reduction, are reserved for structurally compromised teeth, not aesthetic complaints.
Why Picasso
Why Picasso for Cosmetic Cases
Three claims any clinic doing cosmetic work should be able to make. Here is exactly how we deliver each one.
Designed digitally first, then trialled in your mouth.
Every cosmetic case begins with clinical photographs, an iTero digital scan and a Digital Smile Design preview. Then a physical wax-up and a removable composite mock-up worn in your own mouth. You can speak, photograph and live with the new shape, then approve or adjust before the final porcelain is bonded.
A cosmetic specialist on every case, not a general dentist.
Smile design is a different discipline from general restorative work. Veneer, makeover and Hollywood Smile cases at Picasso are led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie), our dedicated cosmetic dentist, with founding director Dr. Emily Nguyen setting clinical standards group-wide.
Premium materials, conservative preparation.
Emax pressed lithium disilicate, Lisi premium ceramic and Vivadent non-prep porcelain, the same materials used by top cosmetic clinics in Sydney and Paris. Emax veneers require only 0.3 to 0.5mm of enamel reduction. We do not endorse the aggressive grinding shown in some online "Hollywood Smile" videos. Every porcelain restoration carries a 7-year material warranty.
iTero digital impression. Sub-30-micron accuracy, no putty trays, the foundation for every porcelain case.
A finished case after Digital Smile Design and in-mouth mock-up. 20 porcelain veneers, both arches, designed before any tooth was touched.
Catalogue
The Cosmetic Catalogue
The full cosmetic dentistry menu at Picasso, organised by what each treatment is for. Click through for full pricing, materials, candidacy and process for each.
| Treatment | What It's For | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Smile Makeover | Combined plan: shape + shade + alignment + gum line | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Hollywood Smile | Full upper-arch transformation, 16 to 20 porcelain veneers | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Porcelain Veneers | Long-lasting cosmetic correction (shape, shade, small gaps) | 2 to 3 visits over 2 to 3 weeks |
| Emax Veneers | Premium pressed-ceramic option, the Picasso standard | 2 to 3 visits |
| Composite Veneers | Single-day cosmetic correction, lower cost | 1 visit |
| Lumineers / Non-Prep | No-grinding cosmetic option for suitable cases | 2 visits |
| Dental Bonding | Minor chips, small gaps, surface defects | 1 visit · 30 to 60 min per tooth |
| Diastema (Gap) Closure | Visible front-tooth gap, bonding, veneers or Invisalign | 1 visit (bonding) to 2 weeks (veneers) |
| Zoom Whitening | Brighter shade in a single in-clinic session | 60 to 90 min |
| Internal Bleaching | Single dark tooth, usually after a root canal | 2 to 3 visits |
| Gum Contouring | Gummy smile, uneven gum line, smile-makeover finishing | 1 visit · flapless or with flap |
| Inlays & Onlays | Cavity too large for filling, too small for crown | 2 visits over 1 to 2 weeks |
Not sure which one fits? See our veneers vs crowns decision page or read on for the goal-to-treatment matrix in section 08.
Candidacy
Who Is, and Isn't, a Good Cosmetic Candidate?
Cosmetic dentistry suits most adults whose underlying oral health is sound. It is not the right starting point for active dental disease. Here's the honest version, decided after photographs and a clinical exam.
You're a strong candidate if
- You're an adult (~18+) and your jaw has finished growing.
- Your underlying teeth and gums are healthy, or any active disease has been treated first.
- Your concern is appearance, not function: shade, shape, length, gaps, gum line.
- You're realistic about the result: a natural, refined smile, not a uniform-white facade.
- You're willing to wear a removable mock-up and approve the design before final porcelain is bonded.
- You're committed to basic 6-month hygiene visits afterwards, locally or with us.
Cosmetic work may not be the right starting point if
- You have active, untreated decay or periodontal disease (these come first).
- You grind heavily and aren't willing to wear a night guard afterwards (porcelain will fracture).
- You're chasing a uniform Hollywood-white shade that wouldn't match your skin or face.
- Your underlying issue is bite alignment that aesthetics alone can't fix (Invisalign or orthodontics first).
- You expect veneers to fix a structurally compromised tooth (a crown is the right tool there).
- You're pregnant, we postpone elective cosmetic work until after delivery.
If any of these apply, we'll tell you, and recommend the restorative or orthodontic work that should come first. We say no when cosmetic dentistry isn't the right answer for you.
Process
How a Cosmetic Case Runs at Picasso
From your first photograph to your final polish. The exact sequence varies by procedure, but the design discipline is the same: see it on screen, trial it in mouth, approve, then build.
Day 1 · 60 min
Consultation, Photos & iTero
Clinical photographs, bite assessment, shade analysis and an iTero digital scan. Discussion of what you actually want to change. Free, no obligation.
Day 2 to 5
Digital Smile Design & Wax-Up
Digital Smile Design preview on screen, then a physical wax-up of the planned smile. Adjustments made before any tooth is touched.
Day 5 to 7
In-Mouth Mock-Up & Prep
Removable composite mock-up worn in your own mouth, you speak, photograph and live with it. Once approved, conservative preparation and final iTero scan.
Day 14 to 21
Bonding & Polish
Final fit check, shade verification, bonding, occlusion adjustment, polish, photographs. You leave with the finished smile, plus a written warranty and care instructions.
A finished 10-veneer upper-arch case in Lisi premium ceramic. Designed in DSD, trialled in mock-up, bonded after patient approval.
Real Case
A Real Cosmetic Case.
A recent 20-veneer reconstruction at Picasso Dental Ho Chi Minh City, published with the patient's written consent. Materials, scope and visit count documented exactly as performed.
20 Porcelain Veneers
- Material LAVA 3M (USA)
- Scope 20 veneers: 10 upper jaw + 10 lower jaw
- Duration 3 appointments, 7 days apart
- Branch Ho Chi Minh City
Before · A second real Picasso patient before veneer treatment.
After · The same patient with 10 Lisi premium veneers, upper jaw.
Decision Matrix
Which Treatment Fits Your Goal?
Most cosmetic concerns map to one of five goals. The right tool depends on what you actually want to change, not what you've seen on TikTok.
| Goal | First-Line Option | Premium Option | If Bite or Tooth Is Compromised |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brighter shade | Whitening | Zoom in-office | Internal bleach |
| Fix a chip or small gap | Bonding | Composite veneer | Porcelain veneer |
| Reshape multiple teeth | Composite veneers | Emax veneers | Crowns |
| Close a noticeable gap | Bonding closure | Veneer closure | Invisalign |
| Excessive gum showing | Flapless contouring | Flap-surgery contouring | Combined gum + veneer plan |
Materials
Materials & Technology
The materials in your mouth and the workflow that designs them. Both decide how natural the result looks and how long it lasts.
| Material / Tech | What It Is | Where It's Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emax (IPS e.max Press) | Pressed lithium disilicate ceramic | Veneers, inlays, onlays | The Picasso standard, naturally translucent, 7-year warranty |
| Lisi (GC Group, Japan) | Premium pressed lithium disilicate | Premium veneer cases | Higher translucency tier, used for the smile zone |
| Vivadent Non-Prep | Ultra-thin pressed ceramic | Lumineers / no-grind cases | Reversible in principle, no enamel reduction |
| iTero Element | Digital intraoral scanner | All veneer and crown prep impressions | Sub-30-micron accuracy, no putty trays |
| Digital Smile Design | Photograph + 3D smile design workflow | Every cosmetic case | You see the result before any tooth is touched |
Why we won't quote zirconia veneers
Monolithic zirconia is a strong, opaque material designed for crowns and full-arch bridges, not for the smile zone. Its lower translucency reads as flat and fake under most lighting. We use it where it belongs (crowns and All-on-X bridges), and pressed ceramic for veneers.
Why the mock-up matters more than the brochure
Materials are only half the result. The wax-up and in-mouth mock-up let you live with the planned shape and length for a day before anything irreversible. Most patients adjust the design at this stage, that adjustment is the difference between a veneer that looks like you and one that doesn't.
Team
Who Will Design Your Smile
Cosmetic cases at Picasso are led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie), our dedicated cosmetic dentist, and Dr. Emily Nguyen, our founding clinical director, with more than a decade of veneer cases on Picasso patients across Vietnam.
Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie)
Picasso's dedicated cosmetic dentist. Leads veneer cases, smile makeovers, Hollywood Smile packages and Digital Smile Design consultations across the group. Focused on conservative preparation, premium ceramic materials and natural-looking results that age well.
Founding Clinical Director
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founder of the original clinic in 2013. Personally delivers a significant share of Hanoi Old Quarter veneer and crown cases. Sets clinical standards for cosmetic case selection, smile design protocols and prosthetic delivery group-wide.
Care
Caring for Your New Smile
Porcelain doesn't decay, but the tooth underneath and the gum margin around it still need basic care. Here's the cadence that keeps a cosmetic case looking right for a decade or more.
Every Day · For Life
Brush, Floss, Repeat
Twice-daily soft brushing, daily flossing around veneer margins. Non-abrasive toothpaste only, abrasive whitening pastes can wear the surface gloss over time.
Every 6 Months
Hygiene Recall
Professional cleaning, soft-tissue check around each veneer margin, polish. Identical to a natural-tooth recall, slightly gentler instruments around the porcelain edges. Local or with us.
At 12 Months
Bite & Margin Check
Quick clinical review of bite, occlusion and the gum margin around each veneer. Most patients combine this with a 12-month recall trip if they're international.
Years 7 to 15
Refresh (Maybe)
Emax veneers routinely last 7 to 15+ years. Composite veneers may need a polish or selective refresh sooner. Replacement, when needed, can be done veneer-by-veneer rather than as a whole arch.
What to avoid
Untreated grinding fractures porcelain, if you grind, wear a night guard. Hard objects (ice, pen caps, fingernails, popcorn kernels) can chip a veneer edge. Heavy red wine, coffee and tobacco will stain the natural teeth and gum line around the veneers, even though the porcelain itself doesn't stain.
If you travel home with new veneers
You leave with a written warranty, your DSD plan, the case file and detailed care instructions. Your home dentist can perform recalls. We respond to questions over WhatsApp and ship a replacement night guard or whitening top-up tray internationally where useful.
Reviews
Cosmetic Patients in Their Own Words
Naomi's Smile Makeover
Naomi Threadgate · Smile Makeover
Christine's Smile Makeover
Christine Fensom · Smile Makeover
Nils's Crowns & Veneers
Nils Sengers · Dental Crowns & Veneers"
What really stood out to me was that this is a dentist that genuinely prioritises what's best for the health of your teeth. I thought I needed a lot more work done, but was advised against it, no upselling, no pressure. I had 4 crowns and 4 veneers done with the wonderful Dr. Emily. I was so nervous about losing too much of my natural teeth, but she was so gentle and precise. I was amazed by how much of my natural teeth were preserved.
Earthy Acts
"
I flew from NZ to get my old crowns and veneers replaced (10 crowns, 6 veneers) that were cracking and falling. I knew the work would be extensive and I was nervous, but Dr Emily and the team were supportive and professional every step of the way. From the care taken during the physical work to the regular check ins throughout my two weeks in Hanoi (and even once I had left the country) I felt supported and safe in their care. I couldn't be happier with the results of my new teeth.
Esta Fowler
"
I cannot recommend Dr Emily and all her staff enough. I never dreamed I would be leaving Vietnam after a week with the most beautiful smile. 8 veneers and three crowns. Two fillings and whitening my bottom teeth. It would have cost me treble if not more in Ireland. The level of care I got from the minute I stepped into Picasso has been absolutely 5 star.
Michelle
Picasso Dental treatment room. Same iTero, DSD workflow and material library across all six branches.
International Journey
The International Cosmetic Journey
Two paths for patients flying in for cosmetic work. Most cosmetic cases finish in a single trip, but a phased plan exists for full Hollywood Smile cases that need additional time.
One Trip, Smile Delivered.
Whitening, bonding, composite veneers, porcelain veneers (up to ~10), gum contouring and smile makeovers, all completed in a single 2 to 3 week stay.
Consult, Photos, DSD
Clinical photographs, iTero scan, Digital Smile Design, wax-up, in-mouth mock-up. You approve the design before any tooth is touched.
Prep & Lab
Conservative tooth preparation, final iTero scan, lab fabrication of porcelain restorations. Temporary veneers worn during this time.
Bonding & Polish
Final fit check, shade verification, bonding, occlusion adjustment, polish, photographs. You fly home with the finished smile.
Two Trips, Phased Delivery.
For 16 to 20-veneer Hollywood Smile cases, or cosmetic plans combined with implants, root canals or orthodontics that need healing time between phases.
10 to 14 days
Restorative First
Any underlying restorative work (implants, root canals, perio), plus whitening and DSD/wax-up of the cosmetic plan. Temporary veneers if needed.
Variable
Healing
Implant integration, gum healing, orthodontic movement. We check in over WhatsApp.
10 to 14 days
Cosmetic Delivery
Final porcelain veneers and crowns bonded, gum contouring as a finishing step, full case file delivered.
Risks
Cosmetic Risks & Realistic Outcomes
Cosmetic dentistry is elective and largely irreversible (composite is the exception). Here's what can go wrong, and how Picasso minimises every avoidable risk.
Documented Longevity
Pressed lithium disilicate veneers (Emax, Lisi) show 10-year survival in the 94 to 96% range in published systematic reviews of bonded ceramic restorations. Composite veneers and bonding sit lower (5 to 8 years before refresh) but are repairable in clinic.
What Can Go Wrong
Over-preparation of the underlying tooth (we use 0.3 to 0.5mm Emax prep). Shade mismatch with adjacent teeth (mock-up catches this). Veneer fracture from grinding or trauma. Gum recession exposing the margin years later.
How We Minimise Risk
iTero digital scanning and DSD before any prep. Physical wax-up and in-mouth mock-up so the design is approved before anything irreversible. Conservative preparation, the smallest reduction the case allows. Premium ceramic only. Bite analysis and night guard recommendation for grinders.
If Something Goes Wrong
Porcelain veneers carry a 7-year material warranty. If a veneer fractures within the warranty period, we replace it. Composite refreshes are routine and inexpensive. We don't invoice you to fix our own work.
Who Shouldn't Have Veneers
Heavy grinders unwilling to wear a night guard. Patients with active untreated decay or periodontal disease. Anyone chasing a uniform Hollywood-white shade that wouldn't suit their face. Anyone whose underlying issue is bite alignment, Invisalign comes first.
Lifestyle & Veneers
Porcelain itself doesn't stain, but the natural teeth and gum line around the veneers do. Heavy red wine, coffee and tobacco will create a noticeable contrast over time. Smoking also raises the risk of gum recession at the veneer margin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry is the discipline within dentistry concerned with improving the appearance of teeth, gums and the overall smile. It includes whitening, bonding, composite and porcelain veneers, ceramic crowns, gum contouring, inlays and onlays, and full smile makeovers.
How much does cosmetic dentistry cost in Vietnam?
Pricing depends on the treatment chosen (whitening, bonding, composite veneers, Emax or Lisi porcelain veneers, gum contouring, smile makeover or full Hollywood Smile), the materials, and the number of teeth. After your free consultation we provide a written, itemised quote. For published rates, see our full cost guide.
Which cosmetic treatment is right for me?
Whitening corrects shade only. Bonding repairs minor chips and small gaps in a single visit. Composite veneers correct shape and shade in one day at lower cost. Porcelain veneers (Emax, Lisi) deliver the longest-lasting result over 7 to 15 years. Crowns are reserved for structurally compromised teeth.
Is a smile makeover worth flying to Vietnam for?
For most international patients, yes. A 16-veneer Hollywood Smile in Sydney or London commonly costs 35,000 to 60,000 AUD or GBP. The same case at Picasso Dental costs roughly 6,000 to 10,000 USD with premium Emax porcelain and a 7-year warranty. Patients commonly save 60 to 75% including flights and accommodation.
Will the result look natural?
That depends on the design and the materials. Picasso uses Digital Smile Design previews, physical wax-ups and a temporary in-mouth mock-up before any tooth is touched, so you approve shape, length and shade before final porcelain is bonded. Emax pressed lithium disilicate and Lisi premium ceramic offer translucency that mimics natural enamel.
How long does cosmetic treatment take?
Whitening: a single 60 to 90 minute session. Composite veneers and bonding: one visit. Porcelain veneers: 2 to 3 visits over 2 to 3 weeks. A full smile makeover: typically 2 to 3 weeks in clinic. International patients can compress most cosmetic packages into a single trip.
Are veneers and crowns the same thing?
No. A veneer covers only the front and edge of a tooth, with 0.3 to 0.5mm preparation. A crown is a full-coverage restoration over the entire tooth and requires substantial reduction. See our veneers vs crowns decision page for the full comparison.
Will whitening change my crowns or veneers?
No. Bleaching only lightens natural enamel. Existing crowns, veneers and composite fillings will not change colour. We always sequence whitening before any new crown or veneer work, so the new restoration matches a brighter, stable baseline.
Do you treat gummy smiles?
Yes. Gum contouring (gingivectomy) reshapes excess gum tissue around the front teeth, often as a finishing step in a smile makeover. Both flapless contouring per tooth and gummy smile surgery are offered, see our gum contouring page.
Who leads cosmetic cases at Picasso?
Cosmetic dentistry at Picasso is led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie), our dedicated cosmetic dentist. Standards are set group-wide by Dr. Emily Nguyen, our founding clinical director.
Pricing
Itemised Cosmetic Pricing
For published per-unit rates across whitening, bonding, composite and porcelain veneers (Emax, Lisi, Vivadent non-prep), gum contouring and full Hollywood Smile packages, see the dedicated cosmetic cost guide. Prices are per unit and fully transparent.
Comparing options? See veneers vs crowns or jump to the smile makeover page.
Start Here
See Your New Smile
Before Any Tooth is Touched.
Send us a smile photo and a sentence about what you want to change. Dr. Rosie reviews every cosmetic enquiry personally and replies with a recommended treatment combination, materials, timeline and a written, itemised quote, at no cost and with no obligation. Most international patients hear back within a few hours.
Free · No obligation · Replies from a licensed dentist, not a bot · Since 2013