A smile makeover can involve one treatment or several, depending on the specific attributes of your smile you wish to address. A makeover can create a domino effect on many aspects of your life, affecting your confidence level, speech, and the frequency with which you smile. Take a closer look at the various ways our dentist can provide you with the smile of your dreams.
Clear aligners
If a patient seeks to address mild to moderate misalignments, our dentist and team can determine their eligibility for clear aligners. Clear aligners are medical-grade thermoplastic trays that are customized to fit in the patient's mouth over their teeth. They apply gentle pressure to the teeth, gums, and underlying jawbone. Patients will receive new aligners every time their teeth shift into a new position, approximately every two weeks. When following proper care instructions, most patients complete their treatment plan between six and 18 months.
Dental veneers
Chips, discoloration, and varying-sized and misshapen teeth can alter the appearance of any smile. Fortunately, dental veneers can address all these issues. Veneers are one of the most popular treatments performed in smile makeovers. They are porcelain or composite resin shells that the dental professional bonds to the front surface of the teeth. This way, any attributes the patient does not like can be covered with the new shells, providing a completely new yet natural-appearing smile. Veneers can last upwards of 15 years with proper care.
Teeth whitening
Sometimes, all someone needs for a smile makeover is to brighten their smile a few shades. Discoloration naturally occurs as a result of colored drinks and foods, age, and sometimes medication use. It can also occur due to lifestyle factors such as smoking or drug use. Professional teeth whitening provides long-lasting results through highly concentrated bleaching solutions. These solutions are more effective than those found in over-the-counter alternatives. They can last up to a year and brighten a smile up to seven shades if the patient desires. It requires placing the solution on the teeth and having a special laser go over the solution until the desired brightness is achieved.
Tooth replacements
A missing tooth or multiple missing teeth can seriously alter a smile's appearance, health, and function. When teeth are missing, they cause the shifting of surrounding teeth and deterioration of the gum tissue and underlying jawbone. That is why most people are interested in replacing their missing natural teeth with false teeth. Replacements can be removable or permanent. They can be any of the following:
- Dental bridge: This appliance can replace one to four consecutive missing teeth and consists of a false tooth or teeth between two dental crowns.
- Dental implant: This appliance must be surgically placed inside the jawbone, effectively acting as an anchor for a bridge, crown, or dentures.
- Partial dentures: This appliance is ideal for one or a few teeth missing in sporadic locations and consists of a false tooth designed to span the gap and metal clasps that attach to adjacent natural teeth.
- Complete dentures: This appliance replaces all missing teeth and consists of a full arch of false teeth and a portion that simulates the gums made of acrylic or metal materials.
Upgrade your smile
Our dentist and team can perform a smile makeover in one appointment or multiple; it all depends on your needs. To learn more about our services, contact our Alexandria office to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at 703-763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
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