When you think of getting a makeover, the usual image that comes to mind is a full face of makeup with dramatically different hair. But when transforming your smile, a smile makeover involves completely altering your teeth and gums.
Read on to find out more.
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is combined cosmetic dentistry and dental restoration procedures (learn more about dental restoration) to improve the appearance of your smile. It is usually completed in stages, each focusing on a different aspect of your teeth and gums. A smile makeover aims to create an aesthetically pleasing smile that increases self-confidence and gives you the enthusiasm to show off to open your mouth fully.
It is typically performed by cosmetic dentists or orthodontists who specialize in improving the look of someone’s teeth and smile. Depending on what you want to change about your smile, your dentist can combine two or more procedures.
Here are some cosmetic dental problems you may improve with a smile makeover:
- Severely discolored or stained teeth
- Cracked, broken, or fractured teeth
- Missing teeth
- Gummy smiles
- Crooked, misaligned teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Short teeth
- Narrow smile
- Tooth gaps
- Silver filling
What Are the Procedures Involved?
The type of procedures involved in a smile makeover depends on your desired changes. Here are the most common ones:
1. Teeth Whitening/Bleaching
This involves using a high-concentrated bleaching agent to whiten teeth, including intrinsic stains caused by medications and certain diseases. Teeth whitening performed by your dentist is the safest and most effective teeth whitening option, with noticeable results after one session.
2. Dental Veneers
Veneers are thin porcelain shells applied over the front surface of your teeth, covering up any discoloration, chips, or misshapen imperfections. They create a uniform and brighter smile while protecting your natural tooth enamel.
3. Dental Implants
If you have missing or broken teeth, dental implants are a long-lasting solution to fill in those gaps. The tiny, screw-like implant is placed directly into your jawbone through surgery and held in place with a crown, bridge, or dentures. This creates an aesthetically pleasing look, helps protect the surrounding teeth from further damage, and preserves your jawbone. Visit dental implants in Owings Mills to know more about how it works.
4. Dental Crowns
A dental crown covers your damaged tooth like a helmet to hide any chips, cracks, or discoloration. They can also be used to restore a missing tooth when placed on top of an implant. Crowns are made from porcelain, metal, or composite materials that are matched to look like your natural teeth. Make sure to choose an experienced dentist, such as McDonogh Dental, for the best results.
5. Dental Bridges
These bridge the gap between teeth using a false tooth held in place by two crowns on either side of the gap. Bridges are a great way to restore your smile if you don’t want to get implants, and it helps keep your adjacent teeth from shifting or rotating out of place.
6. Invisalign and Traditional Metal Braces
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that can gradually move your misaligned teeth into their correct position. It involves wearing plastic aligners for at least 22 hours a day for two weeks and then moving on to the next set until you complete your treatment.
Braces function the same as Invisalign. The most significant differences are the duration and the type of material used. Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires to move your teeth into the correct position, while Invisalign is made from clear plastic for a more discreet look. Also, they are recommended for very severe misalignment of teeth since they have stronger force than clear aligners.
