Smile Make Over Smile Designing

What is a Smile Makeover?

When people think of smile makeovers, porcelain veneers usually come to mind. While veneers can be used in a smile makeover, they aren’t the only cosmetic dental treatment available to revamp your smile. A true smile makeover combines a mixture of dental treatments to give you a beautiful smile you can be proud of. Some of the components taken into consideration include your facial appearance, skin tone, hair color, teeth (color, width, length, shape and tooth display), gum tissue and lips. Smile makeovers are performed for many reasons and customized according to your unique considerations.
What is it that you like or dislike about your smile or your teeth? Some aspects of your smile that your cosmetic dentist will review with you and that could be
improved include the following:

Smile Makeover Treatment Options

Your cosmetic dentist will work with you to come up with a smile makeover plan to meet your unique needs and give you the results you desire. A skilled dentist will first address oral health concerns to make sure that your mouth is healthy enough for cosmetic treatments. After that, you will work together to decide on the best approach to correcting your smile. A smile makeover may include a combination of any of the following popular smile correction treatments:

• Dental Veneers: Porcelain veneers, also called dental veneers, are layered, extremely thin sheets of porcelain that are placed on teeth and bonded in place. Veneers look like natural teeth and instantly brighten, straighten, and even strengthen your smile.
• Dental braces/aligners: Aligners can be ideal if you need braces but want to straighten your teeth in an inconspicuous way. Your dentist will give you a series of custom-fitted teeth aligner trays that will gradually straighten your smile — all without metal brackets or wires. You can easily remove them during the day to eat, brush and floss.
• Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening is the most common cosmetic dental treatment amongst patients looking to brighten their smile. Whether you need a take-home whitening kit, custom-fitted teeth whitening trays, or in-office teeth whitening treatments, the highly- concentrated whitening gel used in these professional-grade options are much stronger and longer-lasting than drugstore whitening options.
• Tooth-Colored Fillings: Fillings have come a long way thanks to modern advancements in dental technologies. If you have old silver fillings, your dentist may be able to replace them with tooth-colored fillings. These fillings are made from composite resin and shaded to match your unique tooth color. The white color will make them virtually invisible to everyone.
• Composite/Tooth-Colored Bonding: If you have a chip or crack in your tooth, a tiny gap between your teeth, or a stain, tooth-colored dental bonding solution can be used to conceal these smile imperfections and others. It is a quick treatment that doesn’t require anesthesia, nor does it reduce your tooth’s structure. Your dentist will simply clean your tooth, rub it with a mild bonding solution, apply the composite resin in several coats, and then shape the bonding to match your smile.
• Dental Implants: If you have one or a few missing teeth, dental implants can help restore your smile. An implant is a titanium screw that acts as an artificial root for your replacement tooth. The “root” fuses to your jawbone over several months and then a dental crown is attached to it to restore full tooth functionality. Dental implants and crowns are made to look and function just like your natural teeth.
• Dental Crowns: While dental crowns are mostly used for restorative purposes, they also offer aesthetic uses when you need a smile makeover. Because dental crowns look like natural teeth, they can be used to add length to teeth or cover up flaws like cracks or chips.
• Dental Botox: When dental botox is administered in a dentist’s office, it is often used to treat facial pain from TMJ issues. But, some dentists also use dermal fillers to smooth laugh lines which can give you an even more youthful appearance. This service can greatly enhance your smile makeover!

Maintaining Your Results

Cosmetic dentistry procedures require regular oral hygiene care and may require maintenance over time. For example, teeth whitening must be repeated on occasion in order to maintain brightness. Porcelain veneers may chip or break off and need replacement. Permanent composite bonding may stain and require enhancement or replacement. Dental crowns typically require replacement after 10 to 15 years. Gummy smile improvements may also require enhancement over time.

Your ceramist, lab technician and the materials chosen by your dentist also impact the longevity of your smile makeover. To achieve the best results, take special care in selecting your cosmetic dentist and inquiring about your material options.

Your oral health must be evaluated before a cosmetic dentist develops a plan for your smile makeover. Your dentist will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth, gums, underlying support structure and bite (occlusion) to determine candidacy for a smile makeover. If your evaluation reveals that you have an oral health problem – such as a misaligned bite (malocclusion) or gum disease – you will need to have that taken care of first.

Preview

Cosmetic dentists incorporate a variety of dental technologies to show you the changes that you can expect to see in your smile. For example, during your oral health evaluation for veneers and crowns, your cosmetic dentist may create a wax model mockup of temporary teeth to accurately communicate the requirements of your procedure to the dental lab technician. Temporaries and wax mockups also offer you a preview of the expected outcome to ensure that you are comfortable with the proposed treatment plan. Other methods available for you to preview your smile makeover include the following:

Dental Imaging Software: Imaging technologies offer a preview of your results. Your dentist may use imaging technology to communicate the specifications for your procedure to the dental lab technician or any other dental professionals involved in your treatment plan. However, a digital image only gives you an idea of what you might look like when the treatment is complete; it may not fully match your final results.

Before and After Photos: Before and after photos of other patients who have had smile makeovers offer examples of the results you may expect to see. The photos may also give you an idea of the quality of work performed by your cosmetic dentist.

Dental Study Models: Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and fill it with plaster to form an exact model of your teeth. The plaster can then be reshaped by trimming away excess areas or enlarging areas that require more volume. Dentists use study models to show you every aspect of the changes you can expect to see with your makeover. Dental lab technicians also use study models as guides for fabricating materials like crowns or veneers.

Your dentist may work with a laboratory that incorporates digital technologies. In such instances your dentist may be able to use digital scans of your teeth, rather
than traditional impressions, for use in making the models of your teeth and smile.

Dental Composite Bonding Mockup: Dental composite bonding may serve as a mockup of your smile makeover. The dentist can temporarily bond composite resin material to your teeth so you can fully visualize the impact of the procedure before treatment begins. In the case of veneers, dental composite bonding allows you to identify how comfortable you are with their look, feel and fit. Adjustments may be made until you are comfortable with the function and appearance of your new smile. Temporary mockups have no lasting impact on your teeth once they are removed.

Cost of a Smile Makeover

The duration of treatment and cost of your smile makeover will vary depending on your dentist, your location, your level of dental insurance, the state of your oral health and the extent of your customized makeover plan. Your treatment may be more expensive and take longer if your dentist identifies any underlying oral health issues before beginning treatment. Although these restorative procedures may be covered in part by your dental insurance carrier, you will still pay more for treatment than someone with immaculate oral health.
With proper care and regular dental visits, your smile will look good and your crowns, veneers and other restorations will last for many years. In fact, resin- based restorations (such as tooth-colored fillings) can last anywhere from three to nine years or longer with proper care. Porcelain restorations can last 10 years or more before they need to be replaced.

Maintaining Your Results

Knowing how to modify your oral hygiene habits to best care for your restorations will help you maintain your new smile for years to come. Highly abrasive toothpastes and tooth brushing habits can scratch the surface of restorations, dulling their polish and luster. As such, non-abrasive fluoride toothpastes are recommended. An example of non-abrasive toothpastes is Rembrandt, which was originally developed for use by people with cosmetic restorations. Brush two-to-three times each day for maximum effectiveness. Flossing is a key factor in removing debris and plaque from the teeth, and actually increases the lifespan of restorations and helps prevent tooth decay. Flossing is important for everyone, but is especially important for people with veneers, since impeccable gum tissue health is important.

Mouthwashes containing alcohol have been shown to have a negative effect on composite fillings. What’s more, the alcohol content in mouth rinses, over time, can degrade the bond between your restorations (crowns and veneers) and your teeth. Use alcohol-free mouthwashes instead.

Food and Drinks to Limit or Avoid

Avoid foods high in sugar and limit between-meal snacks to prevent cavities. Limit consumption of coffee, soda, tea, etc. to keep your smile stain free. Do not drink alcoholic beverages excessively. Too much alcohol can ruin your dental work.

Other Precautions

Refrain from biting and/or chewing hard objects such as pens, staples, metal, bottle caps, etc.
If you grind your teeth (bruxism) and were fitted with a night guard to prevent damage to your teeth and restorations, wear it.

Although cosmetic dental restorations are not indestructible and will eventually need to be replaced (five to seven years for composite; 10 to 15 years for porcelain), the life of your new smile depends as much on how well you take care of it as on the skill and talent of your cosmetic dentist. Replacing a broken or fractured veneer or crown involves impressions, shade matching, a temporary and waiting for a permanent restoration. And, depending on your dentist’s policy, you may be responsible for the full cost of replacing the damaged dental crown or veneer.
Follow your dentist’s instructions to ensure the long-term beauty of your new smile, and be sure to keep all follow-up and regular cleaning appointments with your dentist and hygienist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a smile makeover, and how can it improve my smile?

A smile makeover is a customized dental procedure that aims to enhance the aesthetics of your smile. It may involve treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, and more. By addressing various dental issues, a smile makeover can give you the beautiful and confident smile you’ve always desired.

How long does a smile makeover take, and is it painful?

The duration of a smile makeover varies based on individual needs, but it typically takes a few weeks to a few months. Most procedures are minimally invasive and cause minimal discomfort. Your dentist will ensure you are comfortable throughout the process.

Will insurance cover the cost of a smile makeover?

Dental insurance may cover some aspects of a smile makeover, depending on your policy. Cosmetic procedures are often not fully covered, but our team can help you understand your insurance benefits and explore financing options if needed.

Are smile makeovers suitable for everyone?

Smile makeovers are tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals. Most individuals are candidates for some form of smile enhancement, but a consultation with our dental experts is essential to determine the most suitable treatments for you.

How long will the results of a smile makeover last?

The longevity of your smile makeover results depends on factors like oral hygiene, lifestyle, and the specific treatments chosen. With proper care and maintenance, your improved smile can last for many years.