25 Aug Smile Makeover: What are my options?
Many patients will consult with a cosmetic dentist about overhauling their smiles. Depending on the patient’s smile goals, the dentist may recommend a smile makeover that combines different cosmetic interventions into one treatment plan.
Your cosmetic dentist may include one of the following treatments: teeth whitening (which can be provided in our office or via at-home treatment systems), composite “tooth-colored” fillings, porcelain veneers and Lumineers, Invisalign and dental implants.
Here is an example of a case that may benefit from a smile makeover: A patient had lost a tooth toward the back of her mouth a few years ago and didn’t feel compelled to replace it at the time because it wasn’t highly visible. However, in the time that has passed, her teeth have shifted out of alignment, despite the fact that she wore braces as a teen and had a perfectly straight smile before. This patient also has a heavy coffee habit, which has discolored her teeth.
In this case, the cosmetic dentist might recommend a dental implant to replace the absent tooth and Invisalign treatment to move the teeth back into their correct places. The treatment plan likely would also include an in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatment, depending on how much patience the patient has for seeing those results.
Perhaps our example patient also has an old, unattractive metal filling that is also detracting from her smile. She might choose to have that removed and replaced with a tooth-colored restoration as part of the smile makeover.
Patients have many options in a smile makeover, and your dentist can educate you on the various interventions that can help. When multiple treatments are combined in a smile makeover, the timing of each individual intervention is important. For example, you would need to have teeth whitening treatments before any veneers are placed on your teeth, as the porcelain does not respond to bleaching agents.
Patients who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smiles can make a major upgrade with a smile makeover. Contact our office to learn more about the treatments that can help to improve your smile’s aesthetics, and schedule a consultation to learn more about which specific interventions may be recommended in your case.