These are the questions I get every day in comments and messages, answered by me. They are general information and do not replace an examination, because every mouth is different.
Can you tell me the price?
I understand price is the first question, and I wish I could give a number in the comments. An honest price depends on how many teeth need treatment, which treatment actually suits you, and whether decay or gums need care before anything cosmetic. So after the examination I write you a detailed plan with every step, its cost and the alternatives, before you commit to anything. Send photos of your smile on WhatsApp and the team will explain how pricing works and the next step.
Was this done without filing the teeth?
It depends on the case. Sometimes the teeth are small or have gaps, and we can place no-prep or very minimal-prep veneers. In other cases, such as teeth that stick out or overlap, a light preparation is needed so the veneer does not look bulky. I always prefer the least preparation possible, and the mock-up shows me exactly how much is needed. To be clear, preparation usually removes some enamel, and that cannot be reversed.
Will you replace my teeth or treat them?
My first goal is always to keep your natural tooth. A veneer does not mean removing the tooth; it is a thin layer bonded to its front surface. If a tooth is very weak, a crown may be needed, and if it cannot be saved we discuss an implant or a bridge. Before any of that, decay and gum inflammation are treated. In your written plan I explain, tooth by tooth, what I suggest, why, and what the alternatives are.
Which technique is this, if you don't mind?
Not at all. For most smile cases I use porcelain or E.max veneers. I start with a digital smile design, then a mock-up in your mouth so you can see the shape on your face. Once you approve it, the veneers are handmade in our Dubai lab and I fit them in Duhok. In some cases I use the Waterlase laser to refine the gum line. The technique is chosen for your case, not the other way round.
What is the doctor's address in Iraq?
Welcome. My clinic in Iraq is Celebrity Smile Center on Danielle Mitterrand Road, next to Holland Bazaar in Duhok; we moved into our new building in 2025. To book or ask, call or WhatsApp +964 750 799 3444 or +964 750 599 3444. If you live outside Duhok, send your photos on WhatsApp first so we can plan your visit comfortably.
Do veneers break?
Porcelain is strong once it is well bonded to the tooth, but it is not unbreakable. The main risks are grinding at night, biting very hard things and using your teeth to open packaging. That is why I check the bite before treatment, and sometimes recommend a night guard. If a small chip happens, it can often be repaired or that single veneer replaced.
I am from Basra. How do I start?
Welcome. Start from home: photograph your smile from the front and both sides in good light, and send it on WhatsApp with what bothers you and any X-rays you have. The team will review it and tell you the likely options and expected number of visits. Then you arrange travel to Duhok, by road or by flying to Erbil or Sulaimani and continuing by road; check the current route. The team can also suggest a hotel nearby.
Do veneers ruin the natural tooth?
When veneers are planned properly, the tooth underneath stays alive and healthy. But I have to be honest: any enamel removed does not come back, which is why I keep preparation minimal and sometimes avoid it altogether. What really harms teeth is heavy preparation without a plan, or bonding over decay or inflamed gums. So we treat those first, and if whitening or composite bonding is enough, I will tell you.
How long do veneers last?
With good care, porcelain veneers often last many years, but I do not promise a fixed lifespan, because part of it depends on you: brushing and flossing, regular reviews, and not grinding, or protecting against it with a night guard. I have shared a smile four years after it was fitted, and patients come back to see me years later. Follow-up is part of the treatment, not an extra.
What is the difference between a Hollywood smile and a celebrity smile?
They are largely two names for the same idea: improving the teeth that show when you smile, usually with veneers. The real difference is not the name but the design. For me, a celebrity smile means one that is balanced and natural, suited to your face and lips, not an exaggerated white. The number of teeth, the shade and the shape are decided together after the examination and mock-up.
I want them really white. Is that possible?
Yes, and in the end the decision is yours. But my job is to advise you honestly. A very bright white can look artificial against your skin tone or against back teeth that are not covered. So we try shade and shape in the mock-up and you see the difference on your own face before deciding. Many patients choose a softer shade once they see it, but the choice stays with you.
I have old veneers I don't like. Can they be removed?
Yes, in many cases. In Duhok I use the Waterlase laser to help remove old veneers while preserving as much tooth as possible. Then I check the teeth underneath: any decay, how much enamel remains and the state of the gums. After that we redesign the smile and try it before the new veneers are made. Every case is different, and the examination decides the plan.
What does the laser actually do?
The Waterlase iPlus works with water and light energy, and I have used it in Duhok since 2025 for three main jobs: helping remove old veneers, reshaping the gum line during smile design, and treating inflammation around implants. Its value is that it allows precise, tissue-friendly work in many cases. It is not right for every case, and I will explain whether it helps in yours.
My gums show a lot when I smile. What can be done?
A gummy smile has different causes. Sometimes the gum covers part of the tooth so it looks short; sometimes the cause is the bone or how the lip moves. If the gum is the cause, its line can be reshaped with the laser as part of the smile design. If the cause is something else, I will tell you honestly and may refer you for a different treatment. An examination and photos are the starting point.
I have a missing tooth. Implant or bridge?
Both are valid options, and the better one depends on your situation. An implant replaces the tooth without touching the neighbours, but it needs enough bone and time to heal. A bridge is quicker but requires preparing the teeth on either side. I plan implants on a CBCT 3D scan and decide where the final crown should sit first. Your written plan sets out both options with their pros and costs, so you can choose clearly.
All my teeth are failing. Can I have a full-arch implant bridge?
In many cases, yes. A full arch can be replaced by a limited number of implants carrying a fixed bridge, such as All-on-4 or All-on-6, and sometimes I use bridges reinforced with a titanium bar. Before any decision, I assess the bone on a CBCT scan and check whether some teeth can be saved first. The treatment goes in stages and needs healing time, and all of that is written into your plan.
Does an implant hurt?
Implants are placed under local anaesthetic, and many patients say it was easier than they expected. Afterwards there may be some discomfort or swelling for a few days, which varies between people and with the amount of work done. I give you written aftercare, and the team is on WhatsApp if you have questions. If you are very anxious, tell me at the consultation so we can talk it through.
Why do prices differ so much between clinics?
Because "veneers" are not one product. The price varies with the material, the lab that makes them, the time spent on design and mock-up, the number of teeth, and what needs treating before the cosmetic work. When comparing, do not just ask for a number. Ask where the veneers are made, whether you will see the design before preparation, what the plan includes, and who follows you up afterwards. My written plan answers all of that clearly.
Wouldn't whitening be enough instead of veneers?
Sometimes, yes, and I suggest it when it fits. If your teeth are well shaped and the issue is only colour, whitening may give a clear improvement with no preparation at all. If teeth are worn, chipped or uneven, or have stains whitening cannot lift, veneers or composite bonding may be a better choice. At the consultation I put all the options in front of you honestly.
I live outside Iraq. How do I organise treatment?
Many of my patients live in Europe, Turkey or the Gulf and have treatment while visiting family. Send your photos and travel dates on WhatsApp well in advance, and the team will suggest how the stages can fit into your trip. Some treatments, such as implants, need time between stages and may be split over two visits. If Dubai is closer for you, we can discuss that too.
