4 Ways a Smile Makeover Can Improve Your Smile

Patients who wish for brighter, straighter, and stronger teeth may have their desires fulfilled in the form of a smile makeover. Qualified dentists can use several techniques to cosmetically alter patients’ smiles. Patients who are dissatisfied with the color, shape, or brightness of their smile should consider asking a licensed dentist about receiving this popular service. Be sure to check credentials and experience before proceeding to experience the safest procedures and the longest-lasting results.

Who should consider getting a smile makeover?

Patients with misaligned teeth, extremely stained teeth, or gums that cover large portions of the teeth may be good candidates for a smile makeover. Additionally, a patient may simply be unhappy with the way the smile appears but not know how to fix it. 

However, a person's teeth and gums must be healthy enough for dental processes to occur. Gum disease and tooth decay will need to be addressed and treated before an oral health care professional can perform cosmetic procedures. A dentist should be able to help by providing answers and pointing out areas that could easily be improved with specific cosmetic treatments.

What is a smile makeover?

A smile makeover can be as simple as a tooth whitening procedure or as extensive as having veneers or crowns placed in the patient's mouth. 

How long does the makeover process take?

The timeframe for having a smile makeover varies depending upon how extensive the cosmetic work is for each individual. For example, those in need of teeth straightening via aligners or braces will need at least six months and as much as two years before their new smile is complete. Others may only need a month or two to enjoy a revamped set of pearly whites.

How long does a smile makeover last?

Dental veneers are known to last up to ten years when cared for properly. The hope with tooth straightening treatment is that the effects will last a lifetime and tooth whitening procedures can be maintained as long as three years before the impact begins to dull.

4 ways a smile makeover can improve a smile

Smile makeovers, in addition to benefiting the patient physically, can have great emotional benefits. Consider the patient who has never felt comfortable smiling after receiving an implant to replace a missing tooth or the one who experiences healthy, bright teeth for the first time. A makeover can be seen as an investment in the patient’s appearance, self-esteem, and confidence.

Below are four ways in which a patient may consider making over a smile. These aspects of the smile makeover may be combined as needed. Many patients may only want to brighten their teeth, while some will need more extensive work to create a healthy-looking smile.

1. Brighten

The easiest way to change the look of a patient’s smile is to brighten the teeth. This can be performed with laser whitening or gel trays that the patient can take home. The shade of the teeth can be determined based on how bright the patient desires the smile to be. Choosing a hue that is too bright may look unnatural, so taking the advice of a dental professional into advisement is wise.

2. Restore

If a patient is missing teeth or has a large gap between two of the front teeth, there are many treatments to consider to restore the smile. While braces or aligners may be able to close a small gap, patients who are missing one or many teeth may opt for other treatments, including implants or partial dentures, to create a complete, healthy-looking smile.

3. Align

Sometimes a patient’s most noticeable problem is misaligned teeth. The poor alignment may bother the patient and be perceived as unsightly even after whitening. Patients who have noticeable malocclusions can opt to work with the smile makeover dentist to determine whether clear aligners or traditional braces would work better to align the teeth.

4. Reshape

The shape of the teeth is important for both oral health and cosmetic reasons. Reshaping teeth to match surrounding teeth and to create a proper bite can go a long way to changing the look of a patient’s smile and face.

Conclusion

Changing the way teeth look is often used to quickly upgrade a patient’s appearance. A smile makeover is often more affordable than patients assume it is. Get in touch with a licensed dentist who has experience creating and perfecting great smiles today to determine the appropriate course of action. 

Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.

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