Ask a Cosmetic Dentist: What Is a Smile Makeover

If someone is not happy with their teeth or smile, a cosmetic dentist may recommend a smile makeover. This typically consists of a combination of cosmetic dental procedures. The treatments used vary based on the patient’s complaints, aesthetic goals, and budget.

Types of cosmetic procedures

Each smile makeover is customized. Some of the factors the cosmetic dentist considers are the appearance of the person's face, lips, and gum tissue, along with hair color and skin tone. Issues the dentist may address include crooked teeth, a gummy smile, chipped teeth, missing teeth, gaps, or stained teeth.

Teeth whitening

Discolored or stained teeth is a common complaint. Whitening and brightening the teeth results in an instant aesthetic improvement. It is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures and is often a part of a smile makeover. Professional whitening can be performed in a dental office, although there are also at-home methods.

Gum recontouring

If someone has a gummy smile, it can make the teeth appear short. With gum contouring, the cosmetic dentist uses a laser to modify the gum line, making the teeth appear longer. This improves the overall facial appearance and even has a slimming effect for those who have a rounder face.

Braces

Misaligned or crooked teeth, as well as gaps between teeth, can negatively affect self-confidence. This issue can be remedied by a variety of alignment procedures. There are traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear aligners. Depending on the severity of the problem, the length of time that these need to be worn may vary from six months to a few years.

Dental veneers

Dental veneers consist of custom-made thin shells that cover up a variety of issues such as chipped, uneven, and stained teeth as well as small gaps. Veneers are made out of thin shells of porcelain that can match the natural teeth. To place them, the dentist files off some of the enamel on the front of the teeth and then attaches a veneer to each tooth. Two visits are typically required, but the veneers are extremely strong and can last up to 20 years.

Implants

If a client is missing one or more teeth, a cosmetic dentist may recommend implants. A dental implant acts like a real tooth because it replaces the root of the missing tooth. To qualify for implants, there must be adequate jawbone. The process requires multiple visits and may take months to complete.

During the procedure, a titanium rod is inserted into the jawbone. Once the bone has grown around the rod, resulting in a stable foundation, a tooth-colored crown is placed on top. Unlike other replacement methods, such as dentures, implants preserve the jawbone and look and function like real teeth.