Smile Makeover

A smile makeover is a therapy of improving a person’s smile. It involves one or more esthetic dental procedures:

• Veneers
• Ceramic crowns and bridges
• Dental implants
• Esthetic fillings
• Orthodontics (classic or esthetic)
• Tooth whitening
• Soft-tissue procedures (gingivectomy, gingivoplasty, frenectomy)

Before starting a smile makeover, a dentist needs to consider the shape and structure of your face, the color of your skin and hair and the appearance of your teeth (their color, width, length, shape and arrangement), gums and lips. Smile makeovers are conducted for many reasons and the choice of procedures depends on your unique situation. What do you like or dislike about your smile? Some of the aspects of your smile your dentist will take into consideration are:

Color of Your Teeth

“Gray” or amalgam fillings can be replaced by esthetic, composite or ceramic (inlay, onlay and overlay), fillings, whose appearance imitates the natural tooth. Tooth whitening can correct, or rather, brighten the color of dark, stained teeth. Determining the initial color of the teeth is important for many procedures, such as veneer, crown, bridge, implant and esthetic filling placement. Bear in mind that a beautifully shaped smile which reveals a set of straight, white teeth makes you look younger. Your dentist chooses the desired shade of your teeth according to your hair and skin color.

Arrangement and Gaps

If your teeth are crooked, crowded or have gaps between them, they can be straightened using classic or esthetic fixed braces or the Inman Aligner. They can even be additionally shaped to perfection by placing ceramic veneers.

Missing Teeth

Missing one or more teeth negatively affects your appearance, bite and the health of the other teeth in your jaw. Replacing missing teeth is crucial for both your oral health and facial esthetics. Teeth can be replaced with dental implants, bridges or partial dentures.

Harmony and Balance

Uneven, chipped or damaged teeth can be corrected using esthetic fillings (“bonding”), whereas excess gum tissue (“gummy smile”) can be recontoured in order to achieve a more beautiful smile.

Fuller Lips and Cheeks

A smile makeover can soften and rejuvenate an unpleasantly structured face and remove some of the visible signs of aging. You and your cosmetic dentist will work together and come up with a therapy plan designed to give you exactly what you want out of a smile makeover. Your plan may include several esthetic or restorative procedures, such as teeth whitening, esthetic fillings, veneers, crowns, orthodontics, gum reduction or injecting dermal fillers and Botox.

Esthetic Components of a Smile Makeover

Besides the color, arrangement and symmetry of the teeth, there are certain parameters in the esthetic zone of smile that should be taken into consideration while designing your ideal smile. These include:

Length of a Dental Crown

As we grow older, our teeth wear off, which means that longer teeth make us look younger. Teeth may also appear shorter because of an excess of visible gum tissue (“gummy smile”). Lengthening of a dental crown can be performed by recontouring and elongating the tooth using composite materials or veneers. If you have a “gummy smile”, your cosmetic dentist may advise you to undergo laser gingivectomy, which creates the appearance of a longer dental crown. Lengthening of a dental crown can greatly affect your general appearance. For instance, beautiful, long, square-shaped teeth can make a round face look visually narrower.

Smile Line

A smile line is an imaginary line which follows the edges of your upper teeth from one side to another. Ideally, it should match the curve of your lower lip. The smile line is a common indicator of the ideal crown length.

Teeth Proportions

Most people perceive a smile dominated by two central teeth, whose length to width ratio is 4:5, as attractive. This proportion is used to shape all of the teeth in the esthetic zone of smile so it would appear harmonious and symmetrical.

Texture and Shape

In order to create the ideal, natural smile, a skilled cosmetic dentist will shape your crowns or veneers to appear more masculine or feminine.

Maintaining Results

After an esthetic dental treatment, the patient needs to maintain his/her oral hygiene and visit their dentist regularly. Some procedures, however, call for professional maintenance. For instance, teeth whitening has to be repeated every few years in order for the whiteness to last. Esthetic fillings can become darker and require replacing over time. Esthetic dental crowns should be replaced every 10-15 years. Even some soft-tissue treatments require modifying after some time. In order to achieve optimal results, choose your cosmetic dentist carefully, research all of your options and learn about the available methods and materials.

Treatment Planning, Expectations and Prices

Prior to any cosmetic dental procedure, it is vital to evaluate the general condition of your teeth, gums, supporting structures and bite in order to determine whether you are a good candidate for a smile makeover. If a thorough dental examination determines an issue with your bite or gums, it needs to be treated before the beginning of the therapy. Procedures such as teeth straightening or periodontal laser treatment provide a healthy basis for a prosthetic and cosmetic therapy.

Expectations

Cosmetic dentists use a variety of techniques to show you the changes you can expect to see after your therapy. For instance, during the examination that precedes crown or veneer placement, your dentist will team up with his dental technician to create a wax-up model of how your teeth are expected to look after the therapy. He/she can even make a mock-up and temporarily fix it onto your teeth – this will give you the chance to get used to the look and feel of your esthetic restoration. Don’t forget – your ideas and the ideas of your friends and family help us create your perfect new smile!

“Before” and “After” Photos

Photos of smile makeover patients help new patients get an idea of how their own makeover could look. They also serve as a reference for comparing the patient’s old and new smile, as well as for evaluating the success and quality of the conducted therapy. Furthermore, dental photographs are a key factor in the communication between a dentist and his technician.

Dental Models

Your dentist will make an impression of your teeth an fill it with plaster in order to create an exact model of your mouth. He/she will use that model to show and explain all of the modifications they plan on making during the makeover. Dental technicians also use models to select the ideal material for your veneers/crowns.

Price

The duration and price of your smile makeover depends on your oral health, the complexity of your individual therapy plan and the selected materials.

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Maintenance and Care

With the proper oral hygiene and regular 6-month visits to your dentist, your veneers, crowns and bridges will stay beautiful and functional for years to come. Composite materials can last anywhere from 3-9 years, whereas dental ceramics can last for more than 10 years. Conscientious hygiene at home, accompanied by regular professional calculus removal and polishing, guarantees the durability of your smile makeover.

Brushing

Avoid abrasive toothpastes. Brush your teeth regularly, 2-3 times a day.

Flossing

Dental floss is a crucial factor in removing plaque and leftover food particles from the gaps between your teeth. It keeps your teeth extra clean and guarantees the durability of your new dental restorations. Flossing is important for everybody, but it is absolutely vital for patients with ceramic veneers, as their durability greatly depends on gingival health.

Mouthwash

Use a non-alcohol based mouthwash. Alcohol has a negative effect on restorative and composite materials.

Food and Beverages

Cut down on sugary foods and try to avoid snacking in between meals in order to protect your teeth from caries. Also, keep your teeth white by avoiding smoking and eating colored foods, such as coffee, black tea and Coke.

Other Safety Measures

Avoid nibbling on pencils and similar objects.

If you suffer from bruxism or excessive teeth grinding, your dentist will make you a protective splint that will shield your teeth and ceramic restorations from excessive wear during the night.