Your smile is probably the first thing people will notice about you. It brightens your personality and improves your appearance. However, not everyone is confident about their smile. A lot of people don’t smile as often as they want to because they’re conscious of their smile. This is usually because of the appearance of their teeth.
Getting what is called a cosmetic smile makeover can help you change the appearance of your teeth. This procedure aims to correct teeth issues such as chipped teeth, cracked teeth, discoloration, misalignments, gaps, and other minor problems that might be making you feel self-conscious about your smile. In this article, we’ll explain what a smile makeover is, what the procedure entails, and how the process works.
A smile makeover is usually a combination of multiple procedures, such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, dental implants, and composite bonding, all aimed at correcting various aspects of your smile. It is a personalized treatment and what this cosmetic dentistry procedure includes for you depends on the current state of your natural teeth. Some of the procedures that are typically involved in a great smile makeover include:
Tooth bonding
Tooth bonding is a procedure used to correct minor cracks, chips, cavities, and similar imperfections in your teeth. The procedure may also be used to change the size of a tooth, lengthen the tooth or close up gaps between teeth. It involved using a resin (usually mixed in a way that matches the natural color of your teeth) and bonding it to your teeth. Tooth bonding is a simple procedure that can be concluded in less than an hour. You don’t need anesthesia for this procedure and you can resume regular activities right after the procedure.
Porcelain Veneers
A dental veneer is a type of ultra-thin shell of tooth-colored material that is cemented to the surface of your skin to correct issues like cracks, chips, teeth discoloration, and misalignments. You can also get veneers to correct the length or thickness of your teeth. Veneers are either made of porcelain or composite resin material. It can be applied to just one tooth or to several teeth at the same time depending on what you want.
A veneer procedure is semi-permanent and irreversible. The surface of your teeth is typically roughed and some of the enamel is removed for uniformity and proper bonding. Once you get veneers in, they can last for as much as 10 years or even 20 years with proper maintenance. Traditional veneer procedure takes place over the course of 2 or 3 dental office visits. However, these days, you can get veneers done in just one day thanks to CAM/CAD technology.
Crowns
Crowing is a procedure that is typically carried out to protect and strengthen teeth with cavities that cannot be fixed the regular way. It can also be used to protect damaged, decayed or infected teeth Crowns can be made from metal, porcelain, or resin material.
In the past, dental crowns used to be made of stainless steel material or any other type of metallic alloy. These days, crowns are made to match the natural color of your teeth. If your teeth need extra protection for any reason but you still want to make your smile beautiful, a crowning might be included in your smile makeover.
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a quick and easy fix for the discoloration caused by smoking, beverages like coffee, wine, soda, and other factors. While there are many home materials that you can purchase over the counter and use on your own to get a whiter smile. At our dental clinic, professional dentists will use a special gel to whiten your teeth by several shades so you can feel a lot more confident about your smile. It is the simplest and least invasive part of your smile makeover and is typically completed within 60 to 90 minutes.
Dental implants for missing teeth
A dental implant is a type of artificial tooth added to replace a missing tooth. This procedure is considered a type of prosthetic also it is also a cosmetic procedure. People who have missing teeth often feel self-conscious about their smile and may require dental implants as a part of their smile makeover. Getting an implant as replacement tooth, can also help correct biting irregularities caused by tooth loss and help a patient eat better. Missing teeth can be replaced through the use of partial dentures too.
Invisalign®
Aligners are used to correct tooth alignment issues, crossbite, overbite, tooth crowding, and similar issues. When your teeth are not properly aligned, you’re likely to feel conscious about your smile. Tooth alignment issues can also affect how you eat and talk.
Traditional braces made of metallic materials used to be the go-to solution for correcting alignment problems. However, clear braces or invisible aligners such as Invisalign are becoming a more preferred solution. They’re custom-made for your teeth and are more convenient to use.
Typically, a series of trays are produced based on the model of your teeth and the changes you want to achieve. The invisible tray must be worn for at least 22 hours per day. You’ll also need to visit your dentist once in a while to check the progress and switch the tray as your teeth get better aligned. Treatment usually spans over a period of about 15 weeks (could be more or less depending on your condition. It’s the perfect way to align your smile without being too obvious.
How Is Smile Correction Done?
A smile makeover is a systematic and intentional process that has to be carefully planned with your dentist. It involves correcting your smile while taking various aspects of your facial features, facial proportions, and facial appearance into consideration. Correcting your smile might involve the following stages:
Consultation
The first step in correcting your smile usually involves a consultation with our dental professional to plan your treatment. Usually, this involves assessing the current situation of your teeth and determining what changes need to be made to improve them. Some of the things to check to include:
- Tooth Color
- Alignment and Spacing
- Teeth proportion
- Length of your teeth
- Smile line and so on
Our cosmetic dentist will look at all of these factors and work closely with you to develop a treatment plan aimed at improving your smile. Once an initial assessment has been completed, your cosmetic dentists may also do a smile simulation using advanced digital tools. The software will show you how your smile will look after the treatments have been completed.
Treatment
Your smile makeover may include any of the cosmetic or restorative procedures covered above or even a combination of procedures. The exact duration of the treatment and how much it’ll cost depend on the number of procedures done and the state of your oral health. Although the procedures are usually cosmetic in nature, if the family dentist identifies any oral health issues, they have to be treated first before your smile correction commences.
Maintaining Your Results
When all the cosmetic dentistry procedures have been completed and you now have a beautiful new smile. knowing how to adjust your oral hygiene to maintain your smile is important. Usually, the dentist will give you some recommendations on how to maintain results. These might include:
- Bruising regularly at least twice daily
- Floss regularly
- Avoid the use of abrasive toothpaste
- Avoid mouthwashes that may negatively affect your composite fillings.
- Avoid food and beverages that can discolor your teeth
- Avoid teeth grinding or biting on hard food or bones
These and other recommendations that may be peculiar to your case will help you maintain your beautiful smile for many years to come.
Conclusion
Would you like to learn more about smile makeovers and or get started with your treatment?
If you have questions about Smile Makeover, visit us at Sbenati Dentistry, our dentist office in London Ontario to talk to a professional cosmetic dentist and learn more about the procedure and how it can work for you. Contact us or Call us (519) 474 – 0220.
