If you have ever wished you could transform your smile, you may be an ideal candidate for a smile makeover. A multi-step treatment, smile makeover includes two or more cosmetic dental treatments to enhance the shape, size, color and uniformity of teeth. With smile makeover, you can expect to look and feel more confident. This confidence will transfer over to your everyday life, from your personal relationships to your professional ones.
Achieving beautiful and natural-looking results from smile makeover requires careful planning, and the skill and knowledge of an experienced cosmetic dentist, like Dr. Julie Spaniel of Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry. Having treated thousands of patients, Dr. Spaniel understands that no two patients are alike and thus tailors each smile makeover to each patient’s unique concerns, goals and specifications. Dr. Spaniel will evaluate all of these factors and utilize the most advanced technologies and techniques to create a smile makeover plan that best achieves the smile of your dreams.
Planning & Performing Your Smile Makeover
The first step of a smile makeover is for Dr. Spaniel to carefully evaluate your teeth and mouth. Before recommending any cosmetic dental treatment, the dentist must ensure that your teeth are healthy and free of any dental issues. If a problem is detected, it will need to be treated before undergoing smile makeover.
It is important to Dr. Spaniel that she meets and exceeds her patients’ expectations. She will take every step possible to ensure that you are more than happy with your smile makeover. During the planning process, Dr. Spaniel will use an array of cutting-edge technologies at her disposal, including computer imaging technology that will allow you to “preview” the planned results. Based on your feedback, Dr. Spaniel will make modifications and tweaks to the treatment plan until you are fully satisfied with the expected outcome.
Depending on the extent of the smile makeover, Dr. Spaniel may be able to complete the treatment in a single appointment. However, most smile makeovers require two or more appointments.
What Can Smile Makeover Include?
Teeth Whitening
Many patients decide to include in-office teeth whitening in their smile makeover. Using a powerful bleaching agent activated by a UV light, in-office teeth whitening lightens teeth up to eight shades — all in the span of one hour! In-office teeth whitening is a great way to put the bright and radiant finish to a smile enhanced by other cosmetic dental treatments included in a smile makeover.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding involves applying composite resin material to cover up minor chips, stains, cracks and gaps. The material will be created to match the color of your natural teeth and sculpted to create a beautiful and uniform smile.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are slipped over the front of the teeth to cover up cracks, chips or gaps between teeth. Thanks to their translucent quality and natural-looking appearance, veneers are a great option for patients with stains or discoloration that do not respond well to teeth whitening. Dental bonding and veneers address many of the same cosmetic dental issues, but veneers are considered to be a stronger and more durable option.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings are used to restore teeth damaged by cavities. Fillings are made of a composite resin material, ensuring a natural color and appearance whenever you laugh or smile.
Invisalign
Invisalign is a modern orthodontic system used to gradually shift teeth to a straighter position. Using a series of custom-made clear aligners, Invisalign corrects mild misalignment issues and allows patients to straighten their teeth without the need for bulky, uncomfortable metal braces.
Flaws That Smile Makeover Can Help to Fix
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
- An undersized or misshapen tooth
- Crooked teeth
- Noticeable spaces between the teeth
- Overcrowded teeth
- A missing tooth
Smile Makeover FAQs
Will smile makeover improve the health of my teeth and gums?
Smile makeover is a cosmetic plan concerned with the aesthetics of your smile. If you have outstanding health problems like cavities or gum disease, Dr. Spaniel will help to address these issues before beginning the smile makeover. The goal should always be to have teeth that are healthy, functional, and attractive. If you are missing teeth and need a more dramatic type of “makeover,” you may be a strong candidate for full mouth reconstruction to rehabilitate your mouth.
Are cosmetic procedures worthwhile?
Some people worry that cosmetic dentistry procedures are a sign of vanity, but the reality is that cosmetic dentistry is a $4 billion industry. Studies show that the first thing that people notice about a new person is their smile, so it only makes sense that you would want your teeth to look nice to make a good first impression. At Summerwood Family Dental, Dr. Spaniel has seen how patients who undergo cosmetic procedures subsequently take better care of their teeth, so it’s a win-win situation all around.
How long does it take to complete a smile makeover treatment?
That depends on what treatments you and Dr. Spaniel decide to incorporate into your smile makeover plan. While treatments like teeth whitening and dental bonding can be completed in a single appointment, Invisalign requires many months of wearing your aligners to restore beautiful alignment to your teeth. Dr. Spaniel will discuss all these factors during your initial appointment so that you know what kind of time commitment is involved.
Does smile makeover hurt?
Most of the procedures involved in a smile makeover cause little to no discomfort. This is good news if you want to improve the aesthetics of your smile but do not want to undergo a painful or invasive procedure. You may take over-the-counter pain medication if you do need to relieve any lingering discomfort.
How much does smile makeover cost?
Again, this depends on what procedures you utilize to aesthetically improve your smile. While teeth whitening and dental bonding have lower prices, porcelain veneers are among the most expensive (while also being of the highest quality). Our office will review all costs before treatments begin so that you know what to expect financially. Although cosmetic procedures are not typically covered by dental insurance, some policies may help to cover some expenses related to your dental care.
Can children undergo smile makeover?
Most cosmetic dentistry patients wait until their adult teeth have grown in before trying to improve the aesthetics of their smiles, but some younger patients may be good candidates for certain procedures to improve the color or correct the shape of their teeth. Many teenagers now use Invisalign rather than traditional braces to correct their smile. Dr. Spaniel assesses all patients on an individual basis.
Why wait any longer for the smile of your dreams? Dr. Spaniel and the friendly team at Summerwood Aesthetic Dentistry are more than happy to discuss your smile goals during an in-office consultation. Contact us by calling or emailing us today.